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New England Patriots Sign Olympic Silver Medal Sprinter Jeff Demps, Add Even More Speed to Explosive Offense

Saturday, August 18, 2012 3:10

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By Kris Knox
Senior Writer

The year 2012 is shaping up to be an interesting one for former Florida Gator star Jeff Demps.

In four seasons at Florida, Demps rushed for 2,470 yards and 23 touchdowns, but chose to bypass April’s NFL draft in order to focus on his track career.

The decision ultimately earned Demps a silver medal in London as a member of the U.S. 4×100 meter relay team.

With the games over, Demps turned his attention back to football and it didn’t take long for him to find a home.

According to reports, Demps signed a three-year deal with the New England Patriots on Friday, less than 48 hours after his agent, Daniel Rose, announced that the blazing track star would seek to follow Olympic glory with a shot at NFL stardom.

“I’m excited because it’s a good story,” Rose said. “The guy goes to the Olympics to pursue one of his dreams and he succeeded. Now, he wants to go win a Super Bowl. How can you fault a kid like that?”

If Demps is looking to add the title of Super Bowl champion to his already impressive resume, New England could afford him the perfect opportunity.

The Patriots fell just a few plays short of taking home the Lombardi Trophy last season, and are widely considered one the the league’s top contenders again in 2012.

In 2011, the Patriots ranked second in the NFL in total offense, averaging 428 yards per game, and featured one of the league’s most dynamic passing attacks. However, the Patriots’ rushing attack lacked both production (110.2 yards per game) and explosiveness (the team’s longest run of the season was 33 yards).

Demps has the skill set and the pedigree, to provide both.

Obviously blessed with world class speed (his personal best in the 100 meter sprint stands at 10.01 seconds), Demps could provide the Patriots with a home-run threat as a running back, slot receiver or return specialist.

However, it is at running back where Demps could really make a difference for the Patriots. New England has taken steps to revamp its backfield this offseason, letting go of former starter BenJarvus Green-Ellis in favor of second-year backs Stevan Ridley and Shane Vareen and utility player Danny Woodhead.

The team briefly experimented with former Colt Joseph Addai, but released him in late July.

While the Patriots appear confident in a backfield consisting of Ridley, Vareen and Woodhead, Demps could provide the team with the type of breakaway runner rarely seen in the NFL.

With a few notable exceptions—such as Bob Hayes, Ollie Matson and of course, Jim Thorpe—former track stars rarely make a successful transition to pro football because of size, build and running style.

However, Demps is different. After four years as a running back against college football’s highest level of competition, Demps is already accustomed to the rigors and punishment of the position.

For Demps, who rushed for 569 yards and six touchdowns last season, making the transition back to football should not be difficult.

The Patriots should provide Demps with a prime opportunity to make that transition, while Demps may provide a team already full of explosive playmakers with one more.

Follow Kris on Twitter: @Kris_Knox

2012-08-18 03:09:34

Source: http://www.nationalfootballauthority.com/2012/08/new-england-patriots-sign-olympic.html

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