Former Philadelphia Eagles RB LeGarrette Blount retires, 3 thoughts

Former Philadelphia Eagles running back LeGarrette Blount calls it a career.

Some guys are just built differently. When the Philadelphia Eagles acquired LeGarrette Blount on May 17th of 2017, the reaction was a mixed one. Some thought it was a slam dunk, that Howie Roseman had given the Birds something the franchise’s offense had often lacked, a sledgehammer at tailback. Others thought it was an unwise move.

One year prior, Blount, a guy that played football’s most punishing position, won a Super Bowl with the mighty New England Patriots. His acquisition by the Birds in 2017 wasn’t questioned because he had a lack of ability. It was questioned because, in 2016, he carries the rock 299 times in the regular season and another 35 times in the postseason. That’s a ton of punishment.

With that being said, it wasn’t ridiculous to ask whether or not he had a lot left in the tank. Who could blame him if he didn’t? Fortunately, for Blount and for Birds fans everywhere, the doubters were wrong. 20 days before the day much of America celebrates Christmas, Mr. Bount announced his retirement.

Buckle up. There’s a lot to unpack here.

Here are three thoughts on one of the greatest Philadelphia Eagles of all time.

1. The numbers don’t tell the story.

You can argue about that ‘greatest’ comment among yourselves, but our staff is on board with it.

Sure, he was only in Philly for a single season. Sure, the regular-season numbers won’t overwhelm you. He started 11 of the 16 games in 2017, and he racked up 766 yards and two trips to the end zone on173 carries, but the Eagles don’t win Super Bowl LII without him.

2. What a run it was!

In order to win the Super Bowl, you have to get there, and as great as Blount was for his only season in midnight green (that was a nice run in L.A.), Birds fans will always talk about what he did in the postseason.

He ran for 130 yards on 29 carries. He scored Philly’s only touchdown in the Divisional Round. He ran over Andrew Sendejo in the NFC Championship Game. That wasn’t all though. For his finale, he ran over, around, and through the Patriots defense to the tune of 90 yards on 14 carries, so let’s revisit that question, shall we?

3. Is LeGarrette Blount the greatest Eagles running back of all time?

Wait! Did we call him one of the all-time Eagles greats? Absolutely! There’s no doubt. Is he the greatest Eagles running back of all-time? No, he isn’t. That honor belongs to Steve Van Buren, but Blount’s place in Eagles folklore is secure.

Blount’s value isn’t about his tenure. It’s about what he did in the short time that he was here. That postseason run that was mentioned? He scored a touchdown in every game.

Doug Pederson didn’t give him a single carry in Week 2 versus the Kansas City Chiefs that year, but he wised up. Blount will be remembered forever, as he should be. He’s one of those decisions that Howie Roseman got right. To be frank, when you think about it, this team has never been able to replace him. think about that for a second.