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Detroit Lions: LeGarrette Blount’s impact beyond 2018

By Steven Mullenax

GLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 01: LeGarrette Blount #29 of the New England Patriots celebrates after defeating the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium on February 1, 2015 in Glendale, Arizona. The Patriots defeated the Seahawks 28-24. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 01: LeGarrette Blount #29 of the New England Patriots celebrates after defeating the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium on February 1, 2015 in Glendale, Arizona. The Patriots defeated the Seahawks 28-24. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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Will the addition of three-time Super Bowl champion running back LeGarrette Blount help propel the Detroit Lions’ rushing attack to new heights?

There are only a handful of players in the NFL who have won multiple Super Bowl championships on more than one team. The Detroit Lions‘ newest running back, LeGarrette Blount, is one of them. That’s quite a résumé for a veteran who went undrafted out of Oregon in 2010.

But Blount’s hard-nosed running-style made him a surprising star as a rookie for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But it wasn’t until he was a member of the New England Patroits that LeGarrette became a champion.

Now entering his ninth season in the NFL, and having won the league championship three out of the past four seasons, Blount is bringing that winning pedigree to Detroit. He signed a one-year, $2 million incentive-heavy deal back in March.

Blount is just one of several former Patroits recently added to Lions’ roster. And that’s due in large part to the fact current general manager Bob Quinn and head coach Matt Patricia have their roots in New England. In fact, it was that pre-established relationship that resulted in not one, but two draft trades made by Detroit last month.

According to Lions’ quarterback Matthew Stafford, Blount’s presence on the roster should have a bigger impact than just what he can do on the field.

"“[Blount’s] a bid dude – a big, physical guy who’s played some big-time games for successful teams,” Stafford told the team’s official website. “It’s nice to have him in that room, to have some of our younger guys pick his brain and see what it’s all about.”"

At 31-years old, Blount is more than just a bridge player despite his one-year contract. The veteran posted the best season of his career in 2016, recording 1,161 rushing yards and an incredible 18 touchdowns. It’s that kind of production that this Lions’ offense desperately needs to take the pressure off their passing game.

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More than that, having a presence like LeGarrette Blount helping to guide a young player like rookie Kerryon Johnson in the running back’s room is immeasurable. Despite the impact Blount could have on the field for the Motor City in 2018, his influence on players like Johnson could make a much bigger difference. Let’s hope the veteran runner is the spark that ignites the Lions’ rushing attack for the foreseeable future.

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