New England Patriots: Dealer’s Choice at Running Back

Jan 18, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29) runs the ball against Indianapolis Colts strong safety Mike Adams (29) during the second quarter in the AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports

LeGarrette Blount (2014 w/ Patriots: 60 carries, 281 yards, 4.7 ypc, 3 touchdowns)

The pick-up of Blount was an underrated addition for the Patriots in 2015. Cut by the Pittsburgh Steelers in mid-November, Blount re-signed with the Patriots after a brief but successful stint with New England in 2014. He picked up right where he left off, gashing the Detroit Lions for 78 yards and 2 touchdowns in his first game back. Blount is also a January Colt-killer. In two playoff games against Indianapolis, Blount has rushed for 314 yards and an outrageous 7 touchdowns.

There are some concerns about Blount, however, his one-game suspension not withstanding. If you take out his two game domination of the Colts, Blount has a total of 47 rushing yards on 22 carries and 0 touchdowns in his other three playoff games as a Patriot. While some of this can be chalked up to game planning, as the Patriots essentially abandoned the run all together in two of those games, Blount needs to be able to contribute more than a 2.1 yards per carry average.

Blount also struggles in 3rd and 4th and short situations, a fact that may be surprising considering his 245 pound frame and bruising running style. In his career, Blount has carried the ball 36 times in these situations and has only picked up 17 first downs, which works out to about a 47% conversion rate.

For comparison’s sake, Marshawn Lynch has 63 first downs on 109 carries in 3rd and 4th and short situations, an impressive conversion rate of just over 57%. Blount showed progress in 2014, as he converted 9 of 17 opportunities or 53%, but he needs to be more consistent. While no one is expecting Blount to be Lynch, he needs to be a better runner when it matters, particularly in a Patriots scheme that doesn’t rely too heavily on the running back position.

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