Eagles Hope Adding Big Back Blount Will Add Punch to the Run Game in 2017

The Eagles made a move on Monday they think will bring a big boost to their run game on Wednesday, as the team agreed to a one-year deal with former New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount.

Last season Blount led the NFL with 18 scored touchdowns, but when it counted the most he kind of vanished into thin air, as during the Super Bowl he was an afterthought during the Patriots record setting comeback.

The Eagles and Blount will open the NFL season in 2017 against the rival Washington Redskins, and don’t forget you can get the latest football matches at William Hill, including all the Eagles games for the upcoming season.

Back to Blount, the Eagles seem to want to see what they can get out of the Pats running back, as they only inked him to a one-year deal, showing that even today over 1000 yards and 18 touchdowns is not worth much in today’s NFL.

The 30-year-old Blount is the latest veteran playmaker the Eagles have added in free agency. They also signed wide receivers Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith, showing they want to give more weapons to second-year quarterback Carson Wentz.

If there was one area on the Eagles last season that could use some work, it was grinding out big yards in big games, and here’s hoping that adding Blount will be able to do that.

He’s always been a back that’s been known for getting the tough yards when it counts the most, and the Eagles haven’t had a physical running back like that in quite a long time.

It is hard to believe, but Blount joins his fourth team in eight seasons. He began his career in Tampa Bay and also played briefly with Pittsburgh in between two stints with the Patriots – last season it paying off with his second Super Bowl ring with New England.

In 2016 the Eagles were not a running team that was known for being able to get the job done when it was needed. They had Darren Sproles, but he’s not exactly known as a back that will get you very many 100-yard games.

Then there’s Ryan Mathews, who ran for 661 yards last season with eight touchdowns, a player the team has been waiting to break out, but again, one that is not going to make many other teams cringe when it comes to thinking about intimidating running backs.

Give Blount the ball a lot in preseason, get him use to the Eagles offense, and let’s see what he can do in 2017. For the Eagles, he might be the best option they have in running the football.

The post Eagles Hope Adding Big Back Blount Will Add Punch to the Run Game in 2017 appeared first on Eagles Gab.

Visit Eagles Gab for all your Philadelphia Eagles news! You can also follow us on Twitter and Facebook.