If you had a chance to listen to any of LeGarrette Blount’s Super Bowl media day comments reflecting on his sudden release from the Steelers in November, it had the air of a child who knew he had gotten away with something he was not supposed to do, and now was bragging about it.
In fact, as Blount opined about how great it was to be a Patriot to anyone who would listen, you really did get the sense that Blount and the Patriots had pulled a fast one on the rest of the league.
Surprised? Considering the checkered past of both the Patriots and Blount, I’ll go out on a limb and say you’re not.
“I didn’t know nothing” was the response of Blount when asked if he had any idea he would receive a quite convenient golden parachute from his former team. It all just happened to fall nicely into place, perfect really. All you have to do is quit on your current team, and the punishment is a two-year contract with a team now one win away from the Super Bowl.
Blount’s eloquent response sure seems like a half-baked (I could not resist) attempt to deny inquiries by the media that maybe walking out on the Steelers was an illustrated scheme to land back with the Patriots.
It’s certainly hard not to look at the situation and be a touch skeptical.
Don’t you think?
Much like “Deflategate” or “Spygate” before it, some of the details are murky, and though nobody has been able to prove beyond the reason of a doubt that Blount and the Patriots worked in concert to be reunited, would it be all that unfair to think it was?
After all, is this not a team that at the very least has been riding the razor’s edge when it comes to “gaining a competitive advantage” and at worst, has been caught red handed cheating in order to win?
Seeing Blount getting away with all of this is a hard pill to swallow. As he told the assembled media about how wonderful it was to play for Belichick, and have teammates like Tom Brady, Darrelle Revis and Rob Gronkowksi, you have to wonder what Mike Tomlin, Ben Roethlisberger and Troy Polamalu were thinking.
Many Steeler fans are also upset by the decision to let Blount go in the first place. Some believe the Steelers should have saw this coming and simply suspended Blount instead of releasing him. In hindsight, that viewpoint has some credence, especially after a Reggie Nelson shot to Le’Veon Bell’s knee in the season finale dramatically shifted the landscape of the AFC playoffs and with it, the Steelers playoff hopes.
Even more galling for Steeler fans is coming to the realization that Blount could play a key role in Super Bowl XLIX. The thought of Blount having a similar performance to his 30-carry, 148-yard, three touchdown effort in the AFC Championship against the Colts might be more than some Steeler fans can handle.
From quitting on the Steelers to a potential Super Bowl MVP? Can you imagine the phone lines lighting up on local sports radio Monday morning if that happens?
I know I’ll have my popcorn ready if it does.
