LeGarrette Blount to Patriots: Latest Contract Details, Analysis and Reaction
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LeGarrette Blount has worn out his welcome in two of his three NFL stops. The New England Patriots will hope his midseason release from the Pittsburgh Steelers finally serves as a wake-up call.
The Patriots and the veteran running back agreed on a deal two days after the Steelers let him go. Tom Curran of CSNNE.com first reported the news:
LeGarrette Blount is a go for the Patriots. #confirmed
- Tom E. Curran (@tomecurran) November 20, 2014
CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora confirmed Curran's report and gave his thoughts on how Blount would be used:
LeGarrette Blount is headed back to the Patriots, according to a league source. The big back is set to sign a new two-year contract after clearing waivers on Wednesday.
The former Pat, released this week by Pittsburgh, can help fill a void with New England suffering from some injuries in the backfield. Blount's bruising style allows him to be a fill-in for Jonas Gray, who had a breakout performance against the Colts in Week 11.
Blount, 27, was released following Pittsburgh's Week 11 win over the Tennessee Titans, due in large part to his increasingly bad attitude off the field.
Steelers defensive assistant Joey Porter reportedly saw Blount attempting to leave the locker room early multiple times after the game. The team released him the following Tuesday, with a majority of teammates publicly indicating they were more than fine with the decision.
'If you don't want to be here, don't be here,' Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey told reporters. 'He had a decision to make as a man, and he made it. You know the consequences.'
Tony Dejak/Associated Press
Blount was in the first season of a two-year, $3.85 million contract he signed with the Steelers this offseason. Brought in to be Le'Veon Bell's primary backup following a stellar stretch of play with New England in 2013, Blount never made much of an impact.
He had 266 yards and two touchdowns on 65 carries in the Steelers' first 10 games and was being phased out of the offense. He did not receive a carry or make a reception against Tennessee, with Bell rushing for 204 yards on 33 carries. The Steelers were still required to pay Blount's 2014 salary as a veteran who was on the roster in Week 1, but their decision to release him regardless indicated some behind-the-scenes friction.
Elsa/Getty Images
Blount's football career has been fraught with turmoil dating back to his days at the University of Oregon. He was suspended multiple times by then-coach Mike Bellotti for violations of team rules, and then he reached a national level of infamy after punching Boise State defensive player Byron Hout in 2009. Although eventually reinstated, the incident cost Blount his draft stock and began a career filled with head-scratching incidents.
Blount clashed multiple times with the coaching staff in Tampa Bay, an organization that plucked him from the undrafted realm and turned him into a 1,000-yard rusher. The Buccaneers eventually moved on in favor of Doug Martin, sending him to New England before the 2013 season. Like many malcontents, it appeared Blount finally got his act back together under Bill Belichick. He rushed for 772 yards and averaged 5.0 yards per carry, and he had a 166-yard, four-touchdown game against the Indianapolis Colts in the playoffs.
Those glimpses of excellence are what make teams continue to give Blount chances. If he ruins this one, though, it might be his last.
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