Giants reportedly eying N.E.’s Blount
WITH Adrian Peterson headed to the Saints, the Giants have their eyes on another star running back.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Big Blue is interested in signing Patriots RB LeGarrette Blount. The feeling is reportedly mutual and could result in a contract before the NFL draft kicks off Thursday in Philadelphia.
Blount had the best season of his seven-year career in 2016, leading the league with 18 touchdowns in New England. The 30-year-old joined Dion Lewis and James White as backs behind Tom Brady last season, which ended with Blount’s second Super Bowl victory in February.
The Patriots this week added Mike Gillislee from the Bills and Rex Burkhead from the Bengals, making the backfield perhaps too crowded for Blount to return. New England had reportedly given Blount a contract offer this offseason but he decided not to sign it.
The Giants had been linked to Peterson, but the Vikings star struck a deal with New Orleans on Tuesday. The Giants cut running back Rashad Jennings in February, making Paul Perkins their lead rusher.
Blount, who is coming off a season of 1,161 rushing yards, would contribute further veteran stability to the Giants offense.
l The Vikings finally said their official goodbyes to Peterson, but it won’t be long until they see him again.
Peterson’s two-year deal with the Saints sets up a Week 1 reunion on Sept. 11 when the Vikings host the Saints on Monday Night Football. Peterson spent the first 10 seasons of his career with the Vikings, rushing for 11,747 yards and 97 touchdowns and serving as the offensive focal point.
Peterson’s exit appeared to be a foregone conclusion when he played in just three games because of a knee injury in 2016 and the Vikings started to retool the offense around quarterback Sam Bradford. Peterson is 32 and missed nearly all of 2014 while being mired in a child abuse case
l The NFL has conditionally reinstated Steelers wide receiver Martavis Bryant from his yearlong suspension. The decision could give the team a big boost for the 2017 season.
Bryant was suspended in March 2016 for a second violation of the league’s substance abuse policy.
— With AP