LeGarrette Blount Return Adds Missing Depth to Patriots' Backfield

The New England Patriots are seemingly never done adding talented players to their roster. The latest addition—or re-addition—is running back LeGarrette Blount. Ben Volin of The Boston Globe reported on Thursday that the two sides agreed to a two-year deal worth the minimum plus incentives.

There's no reason not to like the deal.

Typically, a signing this late in the season would not have a good chance of reaping immediate benefits.

According to Mike Klis of The Denver Post, the Denver Broncos stayed away from Blount and free-agent running back Ben Tate because "there isn't enough time left in the season for a running back to come in and learn the team's offensive system."

However, Blount's preexisting knowledge of the Patriots' system makes this situation unique to itself. He could realistically pick up right where he left off in New England last season—and he left off on a pretty high note.

The Patriots wanted to bring Blount back when the running back hit the free-agent market this past offseason, but Blount explored his options and found potential suitors in the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Pittsburgh seemed like a favorable situation at the time, but things did not go well once he got there.

Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported on Tuesday that Blount has been an internal problem for the Steelers for "at least a month" in the wake of Blount leaving the field early after not getting a carry on Monday night against the Tennessee Titans.

He has been upset with his role in Pittsburgh, but will his role improve in New England?

With the recent emergence of Jonas Gray, the signing may be seen as nonsensical. Why take the ball out of the hands of a young back who is just finding his footing?

It makes more sense, however, in context of the future of the Patriots' backfield and the low price the Patriots paid to land Blount.

Player	Carries	Yards	YPA	TD
Shane Vereen	70	328	4.7	1
Jonas Gray	70	330	4.7	4
Brandon Bolden	15	25	1.7	0
James White	9	38	4.2	0

Running backs Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen and Brandon Bolden are all set to hit free agency this offseason, which adds a layer of importance to the two-year aspect of Blount's deal.

The Patriots could have had Blount for just $317,467 in base salary this year, according to NFL Network's Albert Breer, but he would have only been with the team this year and then they would have had to re-sign him again.

Between Gray, Blount, James White and Tyler Gaffney, the Patriots now have four running backs signed through the 2015 season.

We haven't seen much of Gray or White, and Gaffney is on injured reserve with a torn meniscus after being claimed off waivers from the Carolina Panthers.

Gray and Blount have a similar running style, which gives the appearance that Blount could simply be insurance on another injury.

Both men excel between the tackles and are skilled at driving through defenders and picking up extra yards after contact. Blount's average of 2.73 yards after contact per attempt ranked eighth-highest in the NFL in 2013, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

But Gray had 38 carries against the Indianapolis Colts. He can't, and shouldn't, be expected to carry that heavy of a burden week in and week out.

The Patriots now have five running backs on the roster, but Blount and Gray are really the only two who will have an impact in the running game. Vereen has only earned more than 10 carries in two games this year, and Bolden has been relegated to special teams duty for most of the season.

The Patriots like to run the ball when the weather gets colder, and Blount has already proven that he can provide the hard-nosed style of running that will be necessary in December and January. He rushed 100 times for 570 yards (5.7 yards per carry) with nine touchdowns in December and January last season.

Keep in mind, that was at a time when the Patriots were without their best run-blocking tight end, Rob Gronkowski, for the final five games of the season (three regular-season games, two playoff games).

Blount offers little to nothing in terms of value in the passing game, but he is not without versatility. He had carved out a role for himself as a kickoff returner in his first go-round in New England, but the Patriots have filled that role with wide receiver Danny Amendola in recent weeks.

Amendola has returned six kickoffs for 148 yards (24.7 yards per kick return) over the past four games.

Blount was very effective on returns last season, with 17 returns for 494 yards (29.1 yards per return).

Who will get those opportunities going forward? That remains to be seen. Either way, the Patriots now have a two-headed rushing attack that can pummel opponents into submission.

But even if they have no immediate plans to get Blount involved in the running game or return game, it's better to have him and not need him than to need him and not have him. The Patriots are well-stocked at running back to make sure that they have options no matter what happens.