The star of the Deflategate game was LeGarrette Blount, who begins a season with the New England Patriots for the second time in his career, this time with a better and higher status than before.
The Patriots had a scare over Blount during the weekend after he took a hit to the knee which needed an MRI, but Blount doesn’t have any serious damage that anyone should worry about, and while he didn’t practice for one day, he was sprinting on his own and staying in shape, getting ready for what might be his biggest season yet.
Things worked out in a funny way for Blount. After a solid 2013 season for the Patriots which included a big performance in the playoffs against the Colts, he signed a two-year deal with the Steelers. He was released by the team following walking out on a game early, and the Patriots made the most of that, signing him on a two year deal and had another big playoff game against the Indianapolis Colts, helping the Patriots win the Super Bowl.
He’s suspended for the first game of the season which might mean the Pats will be without their starting quarterback and running back for the season opener, but he’s been by far the best player among RBs for the Patriots this offseason. Blount has one season of over 1000 yards in his career, his rookie year in Tampa Bay. If Brady does indeed miss four games to start the season, we might see Blount get enough touches early in the campaign to get himself to that milestone.