NFL Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta Falcons Should Consider Claiming LeGarrette Blount

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By @Tidow1212

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As crazy as it sounds, the Atlanta Falcons are 4-6 and in first place of the NFL‘s weakest division, the floundering NFC South. The Falcons need not worry about what their regular season record looks like to conclude the 2014 campaign and instead focus on doing whatever it takes to secure a postseason berth. As we all know, anything can happen during January in the NFL.

To continue winning, however, it would behoove them to make whatever improvements they can. However, doing so can be incredibly difficult at this point in the season as we are past the trade deadline. But there have been a few notable players waived recently, and one they should consider is the now former Pittsburgh Steelers RB LeGarrette Blount.

From a yardage standpoint, the Falcons’ running game has been among the worst in the NFL at 24th (961 yards). The veteran Steven Jackson, rookie Devonta Freeman, speedster Jacquizz Rodgers and the specialist Antone Smith have combined for eight TDs on the ground (tied for 7th) and have added a few receiving TDs which has been adequate. But they simply cannot move the chains.

The Falcons have the weapons to score in the red zone with WRs Julio Jones and Roddy White, so it would go a long way if the receiving unit was not consistently relied on solely to move the ball downfield.

Acquiring a bruising back like Blount is exactly what Atlanta needs for the stretch run. You might remember how Blount put the New England Patriots on his back over the course of the final few regular season weeks and in the playoffs last season, going from a player mainly used on kick returns to one of the most productive RBs in the game during a time the Patriots were desperate for production at the position. It is incredibly hard for any RB to gain the trust of Bill Belichick, and Blount was Belichick’s guy when it mattered most.

Playing behind Le’Veon Bell in Pittsburgh, Blount was never going to see an incredible amount of looks and only saw 10 carries twice in 2014. In Week 3 against the Carolina Panthers he parlayed 10 carries into 118 yards and a TD, but in Week 9 against the Baltimore Ravens it yielded only 23 yards. The Falcons would benefit from even the mean of those two figures.

The Falcons can use him in a myriad of ways, particularly in short yardage situations which they have not been particularly good at this season. One of the main reasons the Falcons struggle so badly on the road is the lack of a run game. Obviously QB Matt Ryan is much better indoors at home where he can make up for some of their inadequacies on the ground, but on the road — outdoors — a running game is a necessity that Atlanta has gone without.

While I understand bringing in someone who has had character issues going back to even his college career — and most recently with the Steelers which led to his release — might be a concern, this is not the time to be worried about stuff like that for the Falcons. It’s safe to say that at 4-6 they probably have a few really swell guys on the team who absolutely stink, and they cannot afford to be picky. They are not signing him to a four-year deal and in need of pondering how he fits into their future; it’s just six games and he can help them now.

Timothy Downs is a fantasy sports writer for www.RantSports.com. You can ‘like him’ on Facebook add him on Google or follow him on Twitter @Tidow1212.

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