NFL Free Agency: With Maurice Jones-Drew Out Of The Picture, Pittsburgh Steelers Must Get LeGarrette Blount
By Matt Shetler
We have documented the Pittsburgh Steelers need to add another running back or two in free agency and now it appears they could be down to their last option.
Yesterday I took a look at the fact that the Steelers were still in talks with former Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew, who was in town for a visit last week.
Jan 19, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29) rushes the ball during the first quarter against the Denver Broncos during the 2013 AFC championship playoff football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
That didn’t work out as MJD appears headed to the Oakland Raiders.
Former Denver Broncos running back Knowshon Moreno is also off the board as he has inked a one-year deal with the Miami Dolphins.
That leaves former New England Patriots back LeGarrette Blount, who is scheduled to be in town for a visit today.
It is almost a necessity that Blount leaves town with a contract.
The team is bare in the backfield and needs to add depth behind the only back they’ve got, Le’Veon Bell. Signing Blount would be an excellent move.
Blount’s coming off a season with the New England Patriots during which he carried the rock for 772 yards and seven touchdowns. He also finished the 2013 season very strong when he rushed for 189 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries in the regular-season finale against the Buffalo Bills.
He increased his free-agent value even more when, in a playoff victory over the Indianapolis Colts, Blount rushed for 166 yards and four touchdowns on 24 carries.
The former Oregon standout has rushed for 2,711 yards and 20 touchdowns and has averaged 4.7 yards per carry for his career in four NFL seasons, having his best season as a rookie when he had 1,007 yards and six touchdowns for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Blount is a hard-nosed, pound-the-ball type of runner that would be a nice compliment to Bell.
There’s also the fact that Blount may not be signed to be strictly a backup as if Bell falters and Blount outperforms him, he is capable of being the Steelers’ top back.
The Steelers seem very interested in Blount as it’s been reported that head coach Mike Tomlin and general manager Kevin Colbert both want to be present for Friday’s meeting, which is the reason his visit got pushed back.
With that being said he needs to leave with a contract.
If he doesn’t, the pickings are very slim as it will be unlikely that the Steelers will be able to add quality depth at the running back position.