BLOUNT CHOICES
Multi-faceted offense turns to RB in win
PITTSBURGH — After the Patriots took out the Steelers with a healthy dose of LeGarrette Blount yesterday, Martellus Bennett borrowed a familiar line from “Forrest Gump.”
“Our game plan is like a box of chocolates,” said Bennett, “you never know what you’re going to get.”
The fact the Pats went run-heavy against the Steelers during yesterday’s 27-16 win might be a little surprising given all their firepower. But, in reality, it made complete sense.
Bill Belichick and Josh McDaniels probably knew Blount would be motivated a little more than usual and have it dialed up on overdrive against his former team after being cast away by the Steelers on disappointing terms two years ago.
Plus, they watched the Steelers allow Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi to gash them for 204 yards the previous week, so that probably influenced the game plan. Then when the Men of Steel did a decent job taking away tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Bennett, it made sense to go to another option.
As it turned out, one was Julian Edelman (nine catches, 60 yards), and the other Blount, who merely out-rushed his former running mate Le’Veon Bell. Blount was a beast, gaining 127 yards on 24 carries with a pair of touchdowns.
Blount, who received a large chorus of boos the first time he touched the ball, may have claimed afterward he wasn’t out for any kind of payback and held no grudges, but it sure had to feel pretty good to stick it to his former team given he didn’t feel he was getting the ball enough while he was there.
“We went in with a game plan, we stuck to it, and ultimately came out with a win,” Blount said.
Blount was at his best every time it seemed like the Steelers were creeping back into the game in the second half. There were two drives after Pittsburgh field goals when Blount simply took over and helped the Pats respond with touchdowns.
After a three-pointer got the Steelers to within one at 14-13, Blount had rushes of 11 and 25 yards to set up a Gronkowski touchdown reception. Then after another field goal made it 20-16, Blount’s number was called again, and he responded with an 11yard run and ultimately, a 5-yard burst into the end zone.
“It’s great when we get the run game going. It just helps with everything,” Tom Brady said. “Just the balance of the offense running the ball, passing the ball, it’s huge. And to see him come in, run the ball super hard downhill, it’s just awesome. They have a great defense, the Steelers. It’s a great football atmosphere here and (it’s great) to see him come ready to play. The way he was rushing was awesome.”
Blount also was aided by some great blocking up front by the offensive line, and both tight ends.
“The offensive line played great,” said Blount. “A few of my runs, I didn’t get touched until I got tackled. They played a really good game.”
With his two touchdowns, Blount now has eight for the young season, which is a career high. His previous best was seven in 2013.
“I’m having a blast. I’m not counting numbers,” he said. “I’ve always loved it here. I’m going to continue to love it here. I have a great coaching staff, great teammates . . . we’re always going to do what we have to do to get the job done.”
Yesterday, it was a good balance of runs (29) and passes (26). Blount’s heavy workload was a constant while Brady served his suspension, but something we didn’t think we’d see much of with the starting quarterback back in the lineup. But the Patriots have this luxury now. Blount is just playing so well. If opposing teams want to try and shut down Gronk and Bennett, that’s fine. They’ll still kill you with Blount. “It doesn’t really matter who makes the plays just as long as we make them,” Belichick said. “So if they take somebody away or do something to neutralize one player, that’s why we have other players on the team. It’s not about featuring one guy. It’s about the team winning.”
Bennett and Gronkowski didn’t seem to mind sharing the spotlight. They didn’t mind blocking for the big guy who continues to make a big splash.
“People are always looking at the pass catching and receiving yards, but what makes us dynamic is our ability to block and open up holes for LeGarrette,” Bennett said. “Everybody’s just ready to roll. Whatever our jobs are that day, that’s what we’re looking to do, that’s what we’re expected to do.
“We don’t care who gets the ball, when they get the ball, or any of that,” he went on. “We’re just trying to go out there and whatever the coaches see as getting us a win, that’s what we do.”
Yesterday, they picked Blount out of the box of chocolates, and that was a winner.