Patriots RB LeGarrette Blount: Seahawks defense is ‘not immortal’
Seattle’s dominant defense doesn’t impress New England running back LeGarrette Blount, who feels the Seahawks unit is “not immortal.”
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Seattle’s “Legion of Boom” defense has placed itself among the most dominant units in NFL history, having allowed the fewest points in each of the last three seasons, while limiting the fewest yards the past two campaigns, neither of which impresses New England running back LeGarrette Blount.
Blount delivered a Clubber Lang-like (Rocky III, kids, watch it) response when asked about the Seahawks defense during Tuesday’s Media Day:
That, my friends, is shots fired.
Blount may be speaking from not-so-water-colored memories from the one time he faced the Seahawks defense during his rookie year with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2010, when he lowered the boom on Seattle to the tune of 164 yards on 18 carries during a 38-15 rout in Week 15.
Someone should remind Blount that times have changed, along with the Seahawks D.
Blount and the Pats come into Super Bowl XLIX with a level of confidence that should give them reason to believe their running attack can move the ball against Seattle. Blount, who rejoined New England after being released by Pittsburgh in November, has rushed for 149 yards and three touchdowns in their two playoff wins.
More reason for the Patriots to feel good is the fact that the Packers were able to run the ball with a level of success during their NFC title game meltdown loss against the Seahawks. Green Bay rushed for 135 yards on 30 carries, as Eddie Lacy and James Starks were able to move the chains throughout much of the afternoon.
The Patriots finished 18th in rushing during the regular season, averaging just 3.9 yards per carry as coach Bill Belichick went through his annual Wheel O’ Running Backs for much of the season. Jonas Gray led the team with 401 yards, yet 201 of those came in a Week 11 win over the Colts. Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen also handled starting duties off and on before Ridley went down with a season-ending knee injury. Blount rushed for 281 yards and three scores in five games with New England, while also leading the team with a 4.7 yards per carry average.
Never at a loss for words, Blount’s comments have laid the gauntlet down for the Seahawks defense, which tends to respond in a devastating way when criticized. One has to wonder how long it will take for Seattle to make Blount regret his words, especially if Tom Brady is forced to throw often, because the Seahawks run D isn’t beaten by the Pats’ sledgehammer.
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