Patriots Have Perfect Starter, Closer Combination at RB with Gray and Blount

Although I can't seem to picture New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick in a baseball uniform rather than his trademark hooded sweatshirt, managing a baseball game—specifically the pitching matchups—seems like something he would relish.

As the Patriots' 2014 season hits the final innings, Belichick may want to rethink how he is using two of his pitchers—running backs Jonas Gray and LeGarrette Blount—going forward.

When Stevan Ridley was lost to a torn ACL, there were concerns around the team's ability to employ a power running game. Gray alleviated those concerns with a solid start—including a monster 200-yard day against the Indianapolis Colts—while the unexpected addition of Blount added depth to the position group. 

How that depth is being deployed on the field could use a bit of a tweak, however.

Blount has taken the majority of the snaps since Gray's big game, 67 to five, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). Gray's disciplinary issue following a missed practice can't take sole blame for that sort of spread.

Belichick has placed Blount on the mound in the first inning and let him pitch complete games for the past three weeks. He may be better served coming out of the bullpen, however.

Blount has been one of the best fourth-quarter backs in the league, finishing teams off with his powerful running style and bruising hits. Worn-down defenses really don't want to get in the way of a 250-pound man running at full speed.

In the first half, however, Blount is far more pedestrian.

	1st Quarter	2nd Quarter	3rd Quarter	4th Quarter
Average	3.9	4.8	4.6	5.2

It is a much smaller sample size, but Gray seems to have the style and production to complement Blount's first-half deficiencies. Gray has dominated the first half—and first quarter especially—during his nascent career. He hits the hole very quickly. Where fresh defenders can grab on to Blount early in the game, Gray is already gone. In the second half, Gray doesn't have quite the finishing power of his bigger counterpart.

	1st Quarter	2nd Quarter	3rd Quarter	4th Quarter
Average	6.1	5.1	3.9	3.8

If Belichick wants to maximize the use of his two power running backs, he needs to play to their strengths. Give Gray the ball early and let him run his way through the lineup a couple of times. Once the opposing hitters have acquainted themselves with Gray, make a visit to the mound and cue up the bullpen music.

An invigorated Blount loping in from the Gillette Stadium sideline would be reminiscent of a vintage Jonathan Papelbon, the former Red Sox reliever, coming on to close things out in Fenway. Hitters may take some swings at him, but it will only be Blount hitting the home run. 

Stats and splits courtesy of Pro Football Reference.