Blount attack
Bruising back may return kickoffs
FOXBORO — The rash of storms that alarmed the area over the weekend didn’t have as much to do with the weather as the Patriots’ revamped kick-return unit.
With Leon Washington now out of the picture, the Pats can roll out the thunder with a pounding LeGarrette Blount and strike lightning with the electric quickness of Josh Boyce. If the Patriots have a wrinkle in mind that would improve upon last year’s unit, it would figure to come from Boyce or Blount.
Boyce led the Pats in the preseason with three returns for 73 yards, and Blount added one return for 27 yards. On the surface, Blount’s reps seemed circumstantial, perhaps with the intent of giving him an opportunity to make the team or even preventing another player from being downed by an injury. But Blount has continued to take on the role at practice.
It’s a bit different for the bulldozer who prefers to run through tacklers, rather than around them
“It’s kind of a finesse thing. You’re not trying to run into anybody,” Blount said. “It’s a little bit different than running back, but as far as making reads and stuff, it’s almost the same. There’s just a lot going on at once. I’m not really used to it, but from doing it in that preseason game and doing it so forth, it’s getting to become kind of second nature to me. Now I know what I’m doing.”
The 250-pounder could actually make history if he turns this into a regular role. Only two players listed at least 250 pounds have ever returned at least six career kickoffs (71 players have returned at least two, but the vast majority are linemen who sat on a squib kick), and no 250-pounder has ever taken a kickoff back for a touchdown.
Maybe he can reinvent the game.
“Change it up,” Blount said. “I don’t know many people that have had a kickoff returner that’s my size. It’s a pretty good thing I think.”
Boyce is more the prototype, but he only returned three kicks for 93 yards in his career at TCU, so he’s new at it, too. The speedster said the toughest adjustment has been combatting what may be his best asset. The coverage team gets on top of the returner right away, so his decisions have to be crisp and efficient. That’s much different from the defensive players who are mostly running with him.
“It’s crazy, but it comes with the game,” Boyce said. “You’ve got to get used to the speed of that game, so that’s what I’m trying to do.”
The Patriots could also go with Devin McCourty, Matthew Slater or Julian Edelman, but those three comprised the unit that ranked 25th in kick returns last season. If the Pats opt for new blood, it will come down to Boyce or Blount.
“If coach wants me to play that, then I’ll get in and do the best I can to try to help the team out,” Boyce said.
Don’t unpack
Cornerback Marquice Cole was aware that his stay on the unemployment circuit wasn’t going to last very long, but he probably didn’t realize it would happen like this.
Cole was cut Sunday to make room for the Patriots’ four waiver claims, which included offensive linemen Baxster Cave and Chris Barker. It appeared yesterday head coach Bill Belichick believed Cave and Barker were an upgrade over Josh Kline, who was released to make room for Cole.
Cole said he spoke to Belichick about the likelihood of returning once the roster was all sorted out, so the cornerback knew his place.
“It’s just the business part of football,” Cole said. “It’s tough, but it’s part of the game and it goes with the territory. You know what you’re getting into when you sign up for football.”
More progress
Tight end Rob Gronkowski took part in an early 11-on-11 drill as the media portion of practice expired, so he has continued to move in the right direction. The Patriots were also in shells after practicing in full pads Sunday.
“This is his first opportunity to be in pads, so he’s definitely moving forward,” Belichick said.
However, when asked if it’s a “significant step,” Belichick replied, “No, just the next step.”
Sources have continued to tell the Herald that the coaches need to decide when Gronkowski will be “football-ready.” Further whispers around Gillette believe he could even make his debut in Week 2 against the Jets, even if that sounds overly optimistic.
Belichick deemed Gronkowski “day to day” four times yesterday.
Comings and goings
The Patriots agreed to terms with tight end Matt Mulligan, who took the place of fullback James Develin, according to a source. Develin was released after yesterday’s practice. The Pats also signed tackle R.J. Dill to the practice squad.