FOXBORO, Mass — LeGarrette Blount’s second stint with the New England Patriots was a successful one for both parties last season.
The 28-year-old running back boosted his own stock with a 4.7 yards per carry average and three touchdowns in five regular-season games, and then added 189 yards and three touchdowns en route to the team’s fourth Super Bowl championship. The Patriots gained a power running back who could excel in lots different situations, including third downs, short yardage and goal line.
Blount is one of several running backs competing for the Patriots’ No. 1 job after the offseason departures of Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen as free agents. Blount and Brandon Bolden have the most experience of the four running backs competing for playing time.
“I don’t know who our No. 1 guy is,” Blount said after Thursday’s OTA session at Gillette Stadium. “Sometimes we started the game with Shane (Vereen), sometimes we started the game with me, sometimes we started the game with Brandon (Browner). I don’t know who our No. 1 back is, but I just know I’m going to work my butt off to try to maximize my chances of being that guy.”
Since Blount isn’t sure what exactly his role will be, his main goal right now is to prove to the coaches that he can excel in any type of offensive situation.
“I just hope to go out there and anything they tell me to do, I make sure I’m prepared for it,” Blount said. “Whatever it is. Whatever things they might ask me to do, I just want to make sure I’m prepared for it. Whether it’s running the ball, whether it’s passing the ball or whether it’s catching the ball, I just want to make sure I know it and they have full confidence in me to execute the plays they want me to do.”
Thumbnail photo via Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports Images
