LeGarrette Blount Returns as Patriots Finisher in Win over Detroit

Time is a flat circle. So were many of the Detroit Lions defenders that tried to tackle LeGarrette Blount, who rejoined the New England Patriots after a brief soiree in Pittsburgh.

Blount—who passed on signing with New England this offseason—was cut by the Pittsburgh Steelers after leaving a game early. Just a few days after rejoining the team Blount was asked to replace Jonas Gray, who slept a tad too late on Friday and was sent home from practice. The irony was not lost on Albert Breer of the NFL Network:

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So funny ... LeGarrette Blount left a game early in Pittsburgh, cut as a result, now taking carries from Jonas Gray, benched for tardiness.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) November 23, 2014"

One man's mistake is another's opportunity. The power-running game was de-emphasized due to Detroit's strong defensive line, but Blount made the most of his limited snaps. Mike Reiss of ESPN Boston had him down for just 17 snaps on the day.

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Patriots RB snaps in win over Lions (including penalties): Shane Vereen (62), LeGarette Blount (17), Brandon Bolden (2) and Jonas Gray (0).

— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) November 23, 2014"

Blount carried the ball on 12 of his 17 plays, rushing for 78 yards and two touchdowns. After the Lions defensive line winded themselves chasing Tom Brady on his 53 pass attempts, he finished the game with bruising runs reminiscent of his four-touchdown performance against the Indianapolis Colts in the 2013 playoffs.

As you can see in the highlight package below, Blount is running with the proper pad-level and the excellent vision that sets him apart from other hulking running backs. Not many backs that weigh more than 250 pounds have seen time as a kick returner. Tom Brady concurred. "He's a big guy, he runs hard, and once he breaks your defense, he's got a little bit of explosion so it was great to see on a couple of those big runs," stated Brady after the game.

Much has been made of Blount's shenanigans on and off the field, which include—among others—cold-cocking a Boise State player, getting caught with marijuana in a car and leaving the field early. Vince Wilfork—one of the most respected members of the Patriots locker room—doesn't anticipate any problem:

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Yeah, it was good to see [Blount] back. He knows how we do things around here. He’s never been a problem for us and I don’t see him being a problem for us, but it’s going to be up to him to do what he knows he can do. He knows he’s got a full supporting cast of his teammates and his coaching staff behind and we feel the same way toward him and he feels the same way towards us. I’m just happy to see him back and it was a good welcome back for him today against a team like Detroit.

"

If Blount keeps his nose clean, a three-headed monster of Gray, Blount and Shane Vereen will keep defenses honest. If defensive linemen, linebackers and safeties have to pay attention to the run, offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels will have a field day calling plays for Brady.

Look for Blount's renaissance to continue when the Patriots travel to the frozen tundra of the Green Bay Packers in Week 13.