Patriots kickoff 2016: A look at LeGarrette Blount
Today marks 29 days until the New England Patriots open 2016, so we’re taking a closer look at the owner of the No. 29 jersey, veteran running back LeGarrette Blount.
Size: 6-foot, 247 pounds
College: Oregon
NFL experience: Six seasons
After going undrafted in 2010, Blount originally entered the NFL as a member of the Tennessee Titans. However, Blount’s stay with the Titans was short, and he was plucked off waivers by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the start of the 2010 regular season. Blount took the league by storm as a rookie, accumulating 1,007 yards on just 201 carries (good for a 5.0 yards per rush average) and six touchdowns.
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Blount was shipped to the Patriots during the 2013 NFL Draft for Jeff Demps and a seventh round pick that spring. The Patriots benefitted greatly from the trade, as Blount averaged five yards per carry en route to 772 yards and a career-high seven scores in 2013. After an 11-game spell with the Pittsburgh Steelers to start the 2014 season, Blount re-joined the Patriots and was as godsend, racking up 281 yards in five regular season games before notching 189 yards and three scores in the postseason.
Recent installments in the series:
31 days – No. 31 Jonathan Jones
32 days – No. 32 Devin McCourty
Last year, Blount was on pace to break the 1,000-yard mark for the second time in his career before a hip injury in Week 14 ended his season. Blount’s value was truly realized in his absence, as the Patriots struggled to maintain a strong ground attack in the postseason, a flaw which cost them in the AFC Championship Game. Had Blount been present on that crisp January afternoon, it would have helped slow the fierce Denver Broncos pass rush a bit.
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Entering the 2016 season, it looks like Blount will be called upon early and often as the Patriots navigate through the first month of the year without Tom Brady. Blount will be counted on to support Jimmy Garoppolo as he gets accustomed to life as an NFL starter. Expect the Oregon product to surpass 1,000 yards this season; fantasy football players should keep Blount on their radar.
Next: 10 Most Exciting Sophomore Pros on Pats Roster
Be sure to stop by Musket Fire tomorrow as we mark 28 days until the Patriots open 2016 by profiling the owner of the No. 28 jersey, running back James White.