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How LeGarrette Blount’s suspension impacts New England Patriots

By Aryan von Eicken

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The New England Patriots are going to be without running Back LeGarrette Blount for their opening game. Blount was suspended for one game by the NFL for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy, and he will therefore miss the opening game for the Patriots.   I will analyze the effect the absence of Blount will have on the Pats.

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Unless they draft a running back, LeGarrette Blount is expected to be the Patriots lead back in 2015 and therefore his absence could have a large effect on the Patriots first game. Instead of Blount, it will most likely be Jonas Gray getting the start, but Brandon Bolden, James White and Travaris Cadet will probably all see more time as well, due to Blount’s absence. While those names do not sound too impressive, I think it will be very interesting to see how Jonas Gray handles the role of lead back, because he wasn’t given many chances after his dominant performance against the Colts last season.

Nov 2, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots running back Jonas Gray (35) runs through a hole against the Denver Broncos during the first quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

The good news for the Patriots is that they will likely not being facing a very difficult opponent on their opening day. As the reigning champion, the Patriots will be opening the season at home. The most difficult opponents they could face are either of their three in-division opponents, the Pittsburgh Steelers or the Philadelphia Eagles.

Their in-division matchups could be difficult  games but should result in wins at home. If the Patriots end up playing the Steelers, it would actually be quite ironic because both teams would be without their starting running back due to the same incident. The Eagles may be the most difficult team they might have to face, even though they are a huge question mark to the entire league after their crazy offseason.

Blount’s absence in the first game could actually work as a plus for the Patriots, as one of the previously mentioned running backs might have a break out game and might become a larger factor for the rest of the season. While Blount is a solid back, he is nothing special and is also already 28 years old, so this could be a chance for some young backs to show their talent outside of pre-season.

To me, LeGarrette Blount is easily replaceable for the Patriots, especially since Jonas Gray has shown the he is also a very capable  power back. Gray is a bit smaller and therefore also a bit lighter than Blount, but both players are pounders without breakaway speed. Gray has shown that he is extremely capable of carrying the load during his breakout performance against the Colts. To me, his most impressive statistic in that game was that he didn’t have a single carry for negative yardage.

Blount will be missed in the season opener for the Patriots, but I don’t think they will have too much trouble replacing him. If they are able to establish a running game is a different question. Their offensive line still seems to be quite incomplete and all of their backs, including Blount, are not anything special. I wouldn’t be surprised if they end up drafting another back to add to the backfield who could make an impact right away.

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