I know this story broke yesterday, but I wasn't able to blog it and LG deserves a proper goodbye. Most Patriot fans felt going into the off season that LeGarrette Blount probably wasn't coming back. After adding two running backs in Mike Gillislee, and Rex Berkhead it appeared the days of Blount Force Trauma were over in Foxboro. Over parts of 4 seasons with the Patriots, LG was an absolute monster. In his final season with the Pats, Blount had a career year. Led the league in rushing touchdowns with 18 and amassed over 1100 yards. His first 1,000 yard campaign since his rookie year of 2010 with the Bucs. He was a huge reason why the Patriots were able to start 3-0 without Tom Brady this year. He ended up being AFC player of the Month for what he did in September. legarrette-blount-is-your-afc-offensive-player-of-the-month.html LG's hard power running made him a quick fan favorite in New England. His genuine support of the Celtics, and celebrations with the endzone militia only solidified his place in the heart's of Patriot fans. 
After he signed with the Steelers in 2014 after his monster 2013 with the Pats, it appeared the marriage was over. However he was released by the Steelers thanks to first fish bowling a car with Le'Veon Bell, then just leaving the sidelines after he didn't get any carries in a game against the Titans. Blount then returned to the Pats and went right back to his 2013 form in limited playing time.
To me the highlight of Blount's career will be both Colts playoff games he played in. In the 2013 divisional round he ran all over the Colts for 166 yards and 4 touchdowns in a 43-22 win. I was there, it was a horrible rainy night, and Blount just dominated the Colts. It was also the first moments where we saw Jamie Collins (RIP) play at an All-Pro caliber level. Then the following year in the AFC championship game Blount again gutted the Colts, this time for 148 yards and 3 touchdowns. But of course, that was just because he balls were "deflated".... Although he didn't have a great game in either Super Bowl he played in, LG was a major reason why both teams got to each game. In 2015 after he went down with an injury the Patriots inability to run the ball ultimately cost them a chance at another Super Bowl. During his time with the Patriots Blount scored 34 touchdowns and won two championships. I have no issue with him leaving to try to get paid. It kind of bums me out he didn't have a ton of interest in free agency. He ultimately signed a 1 year 2.8 million dollar deal with the Philadelphia Eagles, and after Chris Long, he is the 2nd member of the 2016 Super Bowl Champ Patriots to end up in the city of brotherly love. It was probably time for both parties to go in a different direction, but I will always appreciate what LeGarrette meant to the Patriots, I wish him the best of luck in Philly. 
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
April 2020
|
RSS Feed