Blount back for another season with the Pats.
In a somewhat expected move, the Patriots re-signed LeGarrette Blount today to a one-year deal. Blount had been sending out pics last week from the Pats’ facility which indicated he’d likely be back with the team for his fourth season with the team.
I could’ve gone either way with bringing Blount back. He’s certainly had some great games for the Pats, usually against the Colts, but last year, when asked to take more of a lead back role, Blount wasn’t able to find much consistency. He failed to break 70 yards rushing after the Pats lost Dion Lewis to injury, and had his season end on IR with a hip injury sustained in Week 13.
As a complimentary piece, Blount is outstanding, especially as a closer once the defense is worn down a bit, but as the depth chart currently sits, the Patriots need to reinforce the position in the draft. Ideally they should add an early-down back who can make something out of nothing, or at the very least, grind out the tough yards early in the game.
Then with Lewis and Blount, the Pats should have the pieces necessary to rebuild their ground game that was decimated by injuries in 2015, and non-existent by the playoffs. Earlier this offseason I wrote how making over the running back position should be a priority this offseason, and though they only added Donald Brown in free agency before this, and exciting addition or two in the draft should give this offense just what they need.
