LeGarrette Blount, Dion Lewis spearheading Patriots' rushing attack


LeGarrette Blount and Dion Lewis could be morphing into a dual threat in the Patriots' backfield.

Blount is tied for second in the NFL in rushing touchdowns, and Lewis has more total yards right now than running backs for the Browns and Colts, the two teams that cut him from their rosters last year. 



Blount missed the season opener against the Steelers due to a suspension and only carried the ball twice against Buffalo in Week 2. However, he was a force on Sunday, scoring 3 touchdowns on 18 carries for 78 yards. He had two really nice long runs as well.

Jamaal Charles of the Chiefs and Devonta Freeman of the Falcons are both tied atop the league with four touchdown runs, and Blount, DeAngelo Williams Joseph Randle and Karlos Williams all bring up the rear with three.

It's still early in the season, but the combination of Blount as a power runner and Lewis as a quick, elusive back could prove to be a valuable asset for the Patriots moving forward. Lewis has also shown the ability to catch passes, which is a dynamic that really makes the offense click.

Many looked at James White as the third-down back replacement with Shane Vereen now in New York, but Lewis has really done it all. White saw a lot of time in the second half of the win over Jacksonville, but there's no telling if he'll be used more as the season moves on or if Lewis will continue to get a lot of reps.

Lewis has received praise from many in New England and around the league. Running backs coach Ivan Fears, who has been with the team since the late 90s, says Lewis is a lot like Kevin Faulk.

"He’s very similar to Kevin," Fears said. "Kevin of course played at LSU and was a hell of an every-down back. The only limitation that these guys have had is the size factor. Everybody just knocked them because of it. But believe me, they’ve proven a lot of people wrong.

"Dion has still got a lot of work to do. We’re not giving him any crown right now. We’re just saying he’s been very good through three games and we look forward to see what he can do for us in the future."
Faulk was one of the most reliable Patriots in his time here. If Lewis can be anything close to that, he should have a long stay in New England.

Follow me on Twitter - @JesseGaunce

For more of my articles, click here.

Post a Comment
Share