Demps and a 7th traded for LeGarrette Blount

[Stitch01]

LeGarrette Blount takes $1 million pay cut:
 

 
Makes the trade more palatable, though I still think it's questionable whether or not Blount makes the team.  He's big but not as strong as you would think; he's slow; he fumbles; and he's basically useless in the passing game.  I remember reading quotes from Greg Cosell and Andy Benoit after his rookie year that pretty much trashed Blount.  Their film study revealed a player who looked much worse than his stats would indicate  His performance the past two seasons would seem to back them up.  Plus there's the fact that he's a knucklehead.
 
I guess it's nice to have someone to compete with Bolden for the 4th RB spot, but I would give the edge to Bolden at this point.  But whatever.  Demps clearly wasn't going to do anything for this team once he said he wanted to run track.  If this isn't really costing them much money, then why the hell not.

Yeah, trade makes much more sense with this knowledge. I'd give the edge to Bolden too, but its an OK flyer

 

[Super Nomario]

BB -- "We got good value in trade."  http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/05/04/belichick-says-patriots-got-good-value-in-blount-trade/
 
Well considering Demps was dead to you, I'd agree.

It cost a 7th, too. We could have drafted Marcus Cooper and had four Rutgers guys.

 

[Cornboy14]

He should break Jermaine Wiggins' franchise record for most players hurdled.

 

[NortheasternPJ]

Upon further review, this trade was fucking awesome.

 

[mpx42]

Demps suffers a season ending injury trying to break the first tackle.

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

BB -- "We got good value in trade."  http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/05/04/belichick-says-patriots-got-good-value-in-blount-trade/

 
Understatement of the year.

 

[Dan to Theo to Ben]

In addition to assistant of player personnel, AT, some credit needs to go to Byron Hout's face and hand.

 

[Stitch01]

What switch flipped here during the season? Did getting concussed release some sort of superpower, like reverse CTE? He went from going two yards straight and falling down for eight weeks or so to a pretty good closer running against tired defenses in the fourth quarter to a complete beast. Forget the four massive plays today, he falls forward for like two yards minimum at the end of every run and once a series or so just drags everyone along for 5+ yards.

Hoping he likes it here and signs up for a discount. He's been as good as any Pats running back I've ever seen for the past month. Should be great if and when the Denver game arrives

 

[Montana Fan]

There are a couple different measures, but in 2011 Blount's success rate was 36.9% (62nd out of 80 RBs) per Advanced NFL Stats, 47% (23rd of 51) per FO. For reference, this year Ridley was 46.1% / 55%, Doug Martin was 39.7% / 48%. So Blount is nothing special by this measure.

With the Pats Blount improved to 46.3% according to Advanced NFL Stats and 52% per Football Outsiders.

 

[DaughtersofDougMirabelli]

What switch flipped here during the season? Did getting concussed release some sort of superpower, like reverse CTE? He went from going two yards straight and falling down for eight weeks or so to a pretty good closer running against tired defenses in the fourth quarter to a complete beast. Forget the four massive plays today, he falls forward for like two yards minimum at the end of every run and once a series or so just drags everyone along for 5+ yards.

Hoping he likes it here and signs up for a discount. He's been as good as any Pats running back I've ever seen for the past month. Should be great if and when the Denver game arrives

 

http://nesn.com/2013/12/legarrette-blounts-improvements-have-come-from-seeing-more-opportunities-lowering-pad-level-when-running/
 
Running with a lower pad level and really using his size to his advantage. Looks like Belichick flipped that switch for him. 

 

[Rico Guapo]

It might have taken him some time to adapt to the blocking schemes/style the pats use as well...

 

[teddywingman]

For the whole second half of the season it's been impressive to see him moving piles for extra yards.

Keeping his 250 pound frame a little lower than before sounds like a good reason for the improvement he's shown.

Hoping to see more in two weeks.

 

[Super Nomario]

The Patriots under Belichick (2000 - 2013) have 14 touchdown runs of 30 or more yards (including playoffs):
 
LeGarrette Blount - 4
Antowain Smith - 3
Laurence Maroney - 2
LaMont Jordan - 1
Kevin Faulk - 1
Danny Woodhead - 1
Stevan Ridley - 1
BenJarvus Green-Ellis - 1
 
His big-play ability has been huge in a post-Gronk world.

 

[Tony C]

What switch flipped here during the season? Did getting concussed release some sort of superpower, like reverse CTE? He went from going two yards straight and falling down for eight weeks or so to a pretty good closer running against tired defenses in the fourth quarter to a complete beast. Forget the four massive plays today, he falls forward for like two yards minimum at the end of every run and once a series or so just drags everyone along for 5+ yards.

Hoping he likes it here and signs up for a discount. He's been as good as any Pats running back I've ever seen for the past month. Should be great if and when the Denver game arrives

 
Yep. And dudos to BB for telling him to run with a lower pad level. But it's hard for me to believe that BB is the first coach to have told him this. Hell, I know nothing about the sport but even I could see that he ran way too upright. Was he maybe just too hardheaded to listen to guys like Schiano tell him the same thing? Something about last chances makes people open their ears, perhaps.
 
Whatever the case, his late season transformation has been heaven sent.

 

[Reverend]

The Patriots under Belichick (2000 - 2013) have 14 touchdown runs of 30 or more yards (including playoffs):
 
LeGarrette Blount - 4
Antowain Smith - 3
Laurence Maroney - 2
LaMont Jordan - 1
Kevin Faulk - 1
Danny Woodhead - 1
Stevan Ridley - 1
BenJarvus Green-Ellis - 1
 
His big-play ability has been huge in a post-Gronk world.

 

 
I mean, obviously I'll take it, but that list blows my mind.
 
Nice take--thanks for realizing that about Blount and that that was something to look up. The mind reels.

 

[dcdrew10]

 
 

http://nesn.com/2013/12/legarrette-blounts-improvements-have-come-from-seeing-more-opportunities-lowering-pad-level-when-running/
 
Running with a lower pad level and really using his size to his advantage. Looks like Belichick flipped that switch for him. 

 

 
http://www.nfl.com/videos/new-england-patriots/0ap2000000312222/Blount-loving-playoff-life-after-historic-performance
 
Belichick has him drinking the BB Kool-Aide. I am constantly impressed at BB's ability to get guys considered trouble to do the "team, team, it's not me, it's our team, our opponents are great, team, team" media thing and getting them to perform to boot. I used to think Blount was a trouble maker, (a few suspensions his first season at Oregon, knocking that jack-ass from Boise out, punching a teammate as an UDFA, etc) but it seems he just is a emotional and loves the game. I guess that makes him work with Belichick. Hopefully he keeps it up.

 

[Super Nomario]

 
I mean, obviously I'll take it, but that list blows my mind.
 
Nice take--thanks for realizing that about Blount and that that was something to look up. The mind reels.

Want to see something really crazy? 30+-yard TD runs since 2010 (when Blount came into the league):
LeSean McCoy - 9
Adrian Peterson - 8
Jamaal Charles - 7
Chris Johnson - 7
LeGarrette Blount - 7
 
The dude is fast when he gets a head of steam. Not, like, fast for a dude that size, like objectively fast. He takes longer than Ridley to accelerate to full speed, but he gets chased down from behind way less. We saw that in the preseason with that crazy reversing-field run against the Eagles.

 

[Reverend]

Want to see something really crazy? 30+-yard TD runs since 2010 (when Blount came into the league):
LeSean McCoy - 9
Adrian Peterson - 8
Jamaal Charles - 7
Chris Johnson - 7
LeGarrette Blount - 7
 
The dude is fast when he gets a head of steam. Not, like, fast for a dude that size, like objectively fast. He takes longer than Ridley to accelerate to full speed, but he gets chased down from behind way less. We saw that in the preseason with that crazy reversing-field run against the Eagles.

 
Wow.
 
So, basically, he's like a real life version of the Juggernaut? I honestly never would have imagined that list. Again.

 

[teddywingman]

Want to see something really crazy? 30+-yard TD runs since 2010 (when Blount came into the league):
LeSean McCoy - 9
Adrian Peterson - 8
Jamaal Charles - 7
Chris Johnson - 7
LeGarrette Blount - 7
 
The dude is fast when he gets a head of steam. Not, like, fast for a dude that size, like objectively fast. He takes longer than Ridley to accelerate to full speed, but he gets chased down from behind way less. We saw that in the preseason with that crazy reversing-field run against the Eagles.
 

I don't agree with this. To my eyes, Blount regularly gets to the line and through it with a full head of steam--whereas Ridley seems to hesitate too often--like a stutter-step before he chooses his path, which sometimes means that the hole he chooses is closing by the time he gets to it. Blount isn't the faster runner, but he doesn't hesitate like Ridley.

 

[soxfan121]

I don't agree with this. To my eyes, Blount regularly gets to the line and through it with a full head of steam--whereas Ridley seems to hesitate too often--like a stutter-step before he chooses his path, which sometimes means that the hole he chooses is closing by the time he gets to it. Blount isn't the faster runner, but he doesn't hesitate like Ridley.

 
While I think this is largely true, it reads pretty harshly. I don't think Ridley hesitates to the same degree as Maroney did (for example) but does hesitate a fraction more than Blount.

 

[crystalline]

 
While I think this is largely true, it reads pretty harshly. I don't think Ridley hesitates to the same degree as Maroney did (for example) but does hesitate a fraction more than Blount.

On the long TD run yesterday Blount took a few stutter steps behind a blocker and waited. Then the hole opened up and he ran through it and all the way down to the end zone.

 

[teddywingman]

On the long TD run yesterday Blount took a few stutter steps behind a blocker and waited. Then the hole opened up and he ran through it and all the way down to the end zone.

 
Did he? Oh, well, when Blount does that it's good. 
 
I don't mean to be harsh on Ridley. I think he's good too--but a different type of runner and obviously less explosive. And as far as I can see, the reason for it comes down to quickness from initial touch to the line.

 

[soxhop411]

I wonder if the Pats try hard to resign Blount. He seems to like it here

 

[crystalline]

Yes I wasn't trying to say anything general about either runner.
Just that one play was remarkable for the time he waited for a hole to open up.
 
Here's the replay
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-cant-miss-plays/0ap2000000312178/Divisional-Round-Can-t-Miss-Play-Excuse-me-for-being-Blount
 
Looks like he waits behind the tackle as a Colts LB comes flying in, and Mankins pulls, comes around, destroys the LB and Blount cuts inside.  Wonder if that particular wait/stutter was planned.

 

[Super Nomario]

I like this Charles Pierce article on Blount: http://grantland.com/features/legarrette-blount-new-england-patriots/
 
I think he sums up Blount's skill set pretty well in this one sentence: "At 6 feet and 250 pounds, he is bigger than anyone faster than he is, and faster than anyone bigger."

 

[Al Zarilla]

I like this Charles Pierce article on Blount: http://grantland.com/features/legarrette-blount-new-england-patriots/
 
I think he sums up Blount's skill set pretty well in this one sentence: "At 6 feet and 250 pounds, he is bigger than anyone faster than he is, and faster than anyone bigger."

Nice article. I saw BB's comment on Blount before and scratched my head and reading it again I'm still scratching my head. Who ever could have called Blount a scatback? Bill doesn't leave me scratching my head, ever, until that one.
 
“He’s got that combination of size, power, and quickness and speed,” Belichick said. “He’s not a fullback; he’s more than that. He’s not a scatback, either. He’s got power. He can run hard. He can make guys miss and he can go the distance … He’s an explosive player.”

 

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

Want to see something really crazy? 30+-yard TD runs since 2010 (when Blount came into the league):
LeSean McCoy - 9
Adrian Peterson - 8
Jamaal Charles - 7
Chris Johnson - 7
LeGarrette Blount - 7
 
The dude is fast when he gets a head of steam. Not, like, fast for a dude that size, like objectively fast. He takes longer than Ridley to accelerate to full speed, but he gets chased down from behind way less. We saw that in the preseason with that crazy reversing-field run against the Eagles.

 
That's crazy.  And even crazier when you consider that Blount has only had 579 carries in that period (McCoy is at 994, AP 1118, Charles 786, Johnson 1133).  Is Blount the best home run hitter in the NFL, at least among feature backs?

 

[EddieYost]

Nice article. I saw BB's comment on Blount before and scratched my head and reading it again I'm still scratching my head. Who ever could have called Blount a scatback? Bill doesn't leave me scratching my head, ever, until that one.
 
“He’s got that combination of size, power, and quickness and speed,” Belichick said. “He’s not a fullback; he’s more than that. He’s not a scatback, either. He’s got power. He can run hard. He can make guys miss and he can go the distance … He’s an explosive player.”

 
I actually saw that comment on TV after the game.  It didn't come off the way it does in print.  If you insert the word "obviously" before "not a scatback" it would read the same as it came off on TV (in my opinion).

 

[BannedbyNYYFans.com]

 

[RedOctober3829]

Well, it looks like I'm a bigger sucker for the belief in Belichik than you fellas. BB was the DC for the Giants in 1990 so you can't attribute OJ Anderson's resurgence to him but he saw what Parcells got out of a supposedly washed up Anderson. Please know that I recognize Anderson's success before joining the Giants and that Blount doesn't have that behind him the last few years but I guess I'm a total mark for the shit Belichik tries and wouldn't be surprised if he got what talent Blount has, out of him.

What's the lotto numbers for Powerball this week?

 

[Montana Fan]

What's the lotto numbers for Powerball this week?


Hah. Most probably don't remember "OJ" Anderson's years with the St Louis Cardinals but he looked like Jim Brown when playing against the Giants. Watching Blounte the last few weeks reminds me of Anderson when he was younger. Not his Giant years.

Glad to be right about this one. I'm having some friends over to watch the games this weekend and a few are longtime Bronco fans. I'm going to have to play the role and not overtly root for the Pats but I will be hoping they run the ball down Denver's throat.

 

[( . ) ( . ) and (_!_)]

Hah. Most probably don't remember "OJ" Anderson's years with the St Louis Cardinals but he looked like Jim Brown when playing against the Giants. Watching Blounte the last few weeks reminds me of Anderson when he was younger. Not his Giant years.

Glad to be right about this one. I'm having some friends over to watch the games this weekend and a few are longtime Bronco fans. I'm going to have to play the role and not overtly root for the Pats but I will be hoping they run the ball down Denver's throat.

 
Wait, isn't this the exact scenario where you should overtly root for the Pats?  I mean there is risk here if things go badly, but depending on how good of friends these guys are then you have the potential for great reward.