Tom Brady was the story, picking up win #201, most by a QB in NFL History in the Patriots blowout of the Rams. But, let’s face it, we knew it was coming…just not when.

What no one predicted, or thought possible, was the season that LeGarrette Blount is having. Admit it, as the season began you were hoping the Patriots would get a “real” playmaker for the backfield. Blount was a plodder who had to go north & south to make any yardage, and then was going to get 2-3 yards without breaking off anything long…right!

BLOUNT FORCE TRAUMA

Let’s start with some statistics thanks to Mark Daniels of the Providence Journal:  Blount leads the NFL in rushing touchdowns (13), he’s fifth in rushing yards (957) and ninth in rush yards/game (79.8).

The only non-quarterback to have more touchdowns is David Johnson (15).

• 957 Yards
• 13 TDs
• 4.4 yards per carry
• 53 First Downs
• 1 Fumble lost

Not too shabby for a “plodder” no one wanted.

The first four games without Brady looked to be his only opportunity to strut his stuff. In those 4 games he made opponents shake when he handled the ball, gaining 352 yards on the ground and, surprisingly, catching 3 passes. He ran for over 100 yards against both Miami & Houston before Tom Brady came back in week 5 and, as expected, running the ball was less important.

Carrying the pigskin 31 times in wins against Cleveland & Cincinnati for 87 yards, he averaged just over 3 yards per carry,  as Tom Terrific took over his team.

Not to be forgotten, Blount ran for 127 yards against Pittsburgh and 124 against San Francisco while scoring at least 1 TD against Arizona, Miami, Houston (2), Cleveland, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh (2), Buffalo, Seattle (3) and LA.  Now, that’s production!

TIME TO BACK OFF CRITICISM

With that resume, it’s time to realize that Mr. Blount has been way above average this year. He has looked quicker, and shown he is capable of actually breaking off a long one once in a while (see featured photo where he broke off a 43 yard TD run).

After the game Blount said “I think he (Jeff Fisher) knows our names now. He already knew my name,” Blount said, via the Boston Herald. “I think he knows James and Dion now for sure, though.”

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