Bill Belichick says Aqib Talib helped influence LeGarrette Blount trade
By Josh Sanchez
Running back LeGarrette Blount has been a key player for the New England Patriots throughout their playoff run. Blount is currently the hottest running back in the nation with nearly 7.0 yards per carry since Week 16 and an incredible performance in the divisional round of the postseason during the team’s win over the Indianapolis Colts.
During the match up vs. the Colts, Blount became the first player in NFL history with at least 150 rushing yards and four touchdowns in a playoff game.
The Patriots acquired Blount when they gave up kick returner Jeff Demps and a seventh-round draft pick to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said that the trade would not have happened if it wasn’t for an endorsement from Patriots cornerback and Blount’s former Buccaneers teammate, Aqib Talib.
“One of the things that was very influential to me was Aqib’s evaluation of LeGarrette as a person, as a teammate, as a competitive football player and his skill set,” Belichick said, via NFL.com. “When you have a guy who is with another player day after day, year after year, competing against him on the field and he gives you an honest evaluation and you trust that player and his evaluation, who knows better than him?”
Belichick has not been afraid to bring players with character issues on board to the Patriots, but the moves to acquire Talib and Blount have certainly paid off.
If the Patriots can continue their impressive postseason run and go on to win Super Bowl XLVIII, then the fans in New England may have Talib to thank for helping their coach make a decision that has carried them through the playoffs.