New England Patriots 2016 Player Grade: LeGarrette Blount
By Matty Simo
The New England Patriots will not have LeGarrette Blount in the offensive backfield this season. But how did he grade out in his last year in New England?
The New England Patriots always seem to get the best out of aging players. That statement could not be more true with regards to running back LeGarrette Blount.
The former undrafted free agent saved his best for his last season with the Patriots, rushing for a career-high 1,161 yards and 18 touchdowns. Blount set a franchise record for rushing touchdowns and also led the NFL in that category in 2016.
On Wednesday, Blount agreed to a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles as a free agent. But his contributions in New England will not be forgotten, especially early on last year when the team needed him the most.
Blount: 3rd player since 1933 to change teams after leading/co-leading NFL in rush TD (DeMarco Murray 2015, Greg Bell 1990) via @EliasSports https://t.co/bOFbsUbEgq
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 17, 2017
With quarterback Tom Brady serving a four-game suspension, Blount rushed for 352 yards and four touchdowns. His production helped take the pressure off reserve quarterbacks Jimmy Garoppolo and Jacoby Brissett, who filled in for Brady.
When Brady returned, Blount turned in his best performance against his former team the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 7. He rushed for a season-high 127 yards on 24 carries and scored two touchdowns in a 27-16 road victory.
Blount’s production dipped toward the end of last year for the Patriots. Even though he was also not much of a factor in the playoffs, the former Oregon Duck was the consummate team player. He changed his image from his days in Oregon and Pittsburgh by winning two Super Bowls in New England.
The Patriots honestly could not have asked for much more from Blount in 2016. His fumble in Super Bowl 51 could have been costly, but Brady and the other running backs bailed him out. For those reasons, we salute him with an exceptional grade.