3 Reasons LeGarrette Blount may be one-and-done in Philadelphia
Running back LeGarrette Blount returned to Eagles practice on Friday.
After being excused from practice for three days, the top running back on the Eagles depth chart returned on Friday. Most of us are unaware of what the “personal reasons” are that kept LeGarrette Blount out of practice, but we do know it was family related. That should be enough of an explanation for most of us. Family comes first. Some things are more important than football.
What we’re all certain of is his absence was excused. He kept in touch with his head coach, Doug Pederson, and his running backs coach, Duce Staley. From what Blount’s been saying, he kept himself in shape throughout the process as well. That’s good news considering the fact some of our discussions and debates concerning Blount have revolved around weight incentives.
It’s an issue he’s dealt with in the past and the first reason that he may not be in Philly past 2017.
1. The weight issue:
He was supposed to show up to camp weighing between 240 and 245 pounds. According to ESPN‘s Field Yates, that would earn him around $50,000. As of August 4th, he still hadn’t stepped on the scale yet. If Blount’s weight is under control, then great, but he’s also reached the 30-year-old plateau. That’s almost ancient for an NFL running back by today’s standards, and it contributes to another reason why his era in Philly could be short-lived.
Philadelphia Eagles
2. The age and last season’s workload:
Then there’s the fact that he was one carry short of toting the rock 300 times during the course of the 2016 regular season. Add that to the 35 attempts he had in the playoffs, and we can all agree on one thing. The dude put in work.
History’s working against him.
We’ve said it many times here at Inside The Iggles. Backs who carry the ball that much don’t normally duplicate that type of output the following season, especially backs who are Blount’s age. Then, there’s the fact that no one has ever seen him produce anything overly-impressive unless he was in a New England Patriots jersey.
His coach is pumped about his tape, but for the rest of us, we may need to see more than highlights to be totally sold.
Blount could be a freak of nature. Then again, he could be more like Steven Jackson, someone who continued to receive opportunities later in his career because of a reputation he had built early. As an Eagles fan, you have to hope the first statement is true. Then, again, we can’t forget about one more thing. There’s another reason he may not be in an Eagles jersey in 2018.
3. It’s always about the money.
Next: Inquiring Minds: Should Eagles re-sign Leodis McKelvin?
Do we even need to get into the one-year deal? At this point, discussing the Eagles’ financial woes has become almost depressing. It’s like juggling our own bills. Sometimes, it feels like Howie Roseman, the Eagles executive vice president of football operations, got his first credit card and went on a spending spree. Truthfully, he’s done it more than once. Unfortunately, as with all credit card purchases, a bill always shows up in the mail. For several players on the Eagles roster, that bill comes due at the end of the 2017 season, Blount included.
You have to expect this team will do all that it can to keep as many key contributors on the roster. Still, with other deals that will need to be hammered out, Alshon Jeffery for instance, guys like Blount may fall to the wayside.