When Oregon running back LeGarrette Blount lost control of his emotions after their loss to Boise St. and punched an opposing player, threw a punch at a teammate and went after Boise St. fans on his way back to the locker room, many experts thought his NFL dreams were over. That may not be the case.
Blount is going to be reinstated by Oregon University today (Friday October 2nd, 2009) according to ESPN's Joe Schad. Oregon head coach Chip Kelly has called a news conference after practice today to announce Blount's reinstatement.
"After speaking with a number of nationally renowned professionals in the field, which included Dr. Harry Edwards and Tony Dungy, I came to the conclusion that leaving the door open for LeGarrette's potential return as an active player was the best solution," Kelly said Friday in a statement.
Blount has talked to Tony Dungy, Jon Gruden, former NBA player Kermit Washington; and Harry Edwards, a professor emeritus at Cal-Berkely. It is reported that they all have come away impressed with him. Blount also became a father for the first time recently and people close to the program say he is a different man.
On Thursday the student newspaper did a story on Blount and the incident. Blount sent this letter of apology to them.
"On a personal note, I probably will never be able to erase the memories of the post-game events of that day. Given this, I do not expect to be given a second chance to be a positive and responsible member of the football program and of this community," Blount said in the letter to the editor. "Going forward, what I hope for is the opportunity to show that I am able to earn a second chance as a University student. And if I am so fortunate, I believe that I also will demonstrate that I am a better man and a better human being for having lived through this unfortunate experience."
NFL teams will have Blount "red flagged" because of "off the field issues" and rightfully so. But just like other players who have had issues on and off the field Blount's god given ability may make teams think twice about leaving him off their boards.
Blount, a 6-foot-2, 240-pound transfer from East Mississippi Community College, rushed for 1,002 yards and a school-record 17 touchdowns last season. It has been reported that Blount could run in the low 4.3 range at the combine. Blount was mentioned as a possible Heisman candidate and on the Doak Walker watch list (for the nations best running back).
Blount's abilities had rated by ESPN's and Souts IncTodd McShay as the 2nd best running back coming into the season and a possible second round pick. McShay has said that because of the situation at Boise St. he would slip to the seventh round or go undrafted costing him millions of dollars. Some scouts believe that he has all the physical ability to be a very good every down back and that his passion and will to win led him to lose his temper.
What Blount did was a deplorable, inexcusable act that warranted a suspension, but the whole year? I think 6-7 games is about right. That is (about) 2/3rds of the NCAA season. But at least he was suspended. Byron Hout, the player Blount punched, was not suspended by Boise St. head coach Chris Petersen.
Blount and Kelly called Boise State coach Chris Petersen and Hout soon after the suspension to apologize. It is also believed that Oregon athletic director and former head coach Mike Bellotti and school president Richard Lariviere are on board with the possibility for reinstatement, though it is not known to what extent the Pac-10 has been involved.
But will teams take a shot with Blount? He has had no other off the field issues and has all the tools they look for in a running back. Size, speed, vision, toughness and good hands. Will that be enough for teams to over look what happened against Boise St.?
Blount has been participating in Oregon practice as a member of the scout team and has been attending classes under scholarship so he is still in great shape. The belief is Kelly will have Blount's first game come against USC on October 31st. Oregon also plays three teams that didn't make it to a bowl last season, Washington State, UCLA and Washington before the USC meeting.
Roger Goddell's no nonsense policy when it comes to off the field actions and player accountability will way heavy on teams considering at Blount and some will take him off their draft boards. Teams in larger markets may decide to pass on him, but Blount may thrive in a small market with a team like Green Bay, Seattle or Kansas City.
A team will take a chance on Blount. He is to talented not to. The question is who and what round? Time will tell. But the NFL is all about second chances. Michael Vick, KorenRobinson, Tank Johnson, Chris Henry and Pac Man Jones to name a few. Some of those guys have turned their lives around, while Jones seems to have not learned from his past transgressions.
When it is all said and done, teams in the NFL will take a shot on him. They all want the most "bang for their buck" and Blount could be that guy. He will slip from the second round grade and a team will snatch him up, then it will be up to him to continue to show growth on and off the field. If he can stay on the straight and narrow, a team will come away with a steal of a pick.
Full Version: Should/Will NFL Teams Pass On Blount?
It was a bad move on his part. A shameful display of violence and poor sportsmanship. But that's a long suspension, he got a raw deal.
I mean, Najeh Davenport make a BM in someone's closet and he still got drafted. At least this was done right in the heat of battle on the football field.
I mean, Najeh Davenport make a BM in someone's closet and he still got drafted. At least this was done right in the heat of battle on the football field.
QUOTE (rpiotr01 @ Oct 2 2009, 02:52 PM) 
It was a bad move on his part. A shameful display of violence and poor sportsmanship. But that's a long suspension, he got a raw deal.
I mean, Najeh Davenport make a BM in someone's closet and he still got drafted. At least this was done right in the heat of battle on the football field.
I mean, Najeh Davenport make a BM in someone's closet and he still got drafted. At least this was done right in the heat of battle on the football field.
I agree. What a lot of people apparently missed is that the guy was provoked. It actually offends me that the Boise State player that started the whole thing got off scotch-free. You don't push an opposing player after you just beat them and not expect anything to happen. That was an extremely poor sense of sportsmanship and I think the Boise State player should have faced some discipline.
I thought the initial reaction by Oregon was completely over the top and now they look like total retards. They should have said that they were going to suspend Blount indefinitely depending on what his reaction to the situation is. Sure the guy overreacted and behaved inappropriately but the guy was provoked. He did get shoved by a Boise State player after a loss. Nobody is going to like being taunted by an opposing player after losing. I thought the guy got a really raw deal. That would have essentially destroyed the guys future. I felt really bad for the guy. Your entire life shouldn't be ruined because you lost control of your emotions. Did the NFL end Albert Haynesworth's career after he stepped on another players face? He lost control and was given another chance. These guys play a physical and violent sport. These things are going to happen from time to time. Its unacceptable behavior that must be fixed but the guy deserves a second chance.
QUOTE (strat1080 @ Oct 3 2009, 09:37 AM)
I agree. What a lot of people apparently missed is that the guy was provoked. It actually offends me that the Boise State player that started the whole thing got off scotch-free. You don't push an opposing player after you just beat them and not expect anything to happen. That was an extremely poor sense of sportsmanship and I think the Boise State player should have faced some discipline.
I thought the initial reaction by Oregon was completely over the top and now they look like total retards. They should have said that they were going to suspend Blount indefinitely depending on what his reaction to the situation is. Sure the guy overreacted and behaved inappropriately but the guy was provoked. He did get shoved by a Boise State player after a loss. Nobody is going to like being taunted by an opposing player after losing. I thought the guy got a really raw deal. That would have essentially destroyed the guys future. I felt really bad for the guy. Your entire life shouldn't be ruined because you lost control of your emotions. Did the NFL end Albert Haynesworth's career after he stepped on another players face? He lost control and was given another chance. These guys play a physical and violent sport. These things are going to happen from time to time. Its unacceptable behavior that must be fixed but the guy deserves a second chance.
I thought the initial reaction by Oregon was completely over the top and now they look like total retards. They should have said that they were going to suspend Blount indefinitely depending on what his reaction to the situation is. Sure the guy overreacted and behaved inappropriately but the guy was provoked. He did get shoved by a Boise State player after a loss. Nobody is going to like being taunted by an opposing player after losing. I thought the guy got a really raw deal. That would have essentially destroyed the guys future. I felt really bad for the guy. Your entire life shouldn't be ruined because you lost control of your emotions. Did the NFL end Albert Haynesworth's career after he stepped on another players face? He lost control and was given another chance. These guys play a physical and violent sport. These things are going to happen from time to time. Its unacceptable behavior that must be fixed but the guy deserves a second chance.
Strat I agree 100% that the Bosie State guy needed to get punished also, but as far a Blount goes he needed to go for the year for a number of reasons. First of all he sucker punched a guy with his back turned, forget the heat of the moment, sure its an emotional game but there are ways to confront the situation sure go back and shove him back but not sucker punch. But most of all this was not his first suspension at Oregon, it was his 3rd. He clashed many times with Mike Bellotti and earned a suspension last year. He was a loose cannon then After the season he was suspended again for for "failure to fulfill team obligations. He has had chances. What Oregon is saying here is that its OK to punch a player, go after fans in the stands. Hell he even punched his own teammate trying to break it up Oregon is sending a message that this behavior is OK...he has had his chances...... The program is bigger than one player. Its about accountability, both by the player and the University
Barring any further issues, I definitely think he's draftable, but not in the early rounds. I didn't like him as an early pick even before the incident. Physical gifts notwithstanding, I think his performance in that game showed some of the shortcomings I've seen from him (granted, I only see a small handful of Oregon games yearly, so others here may be better qualified to assess whether what I've seen from Blount is typical of his play). I don't see vision or toughness to be strengths of his. Playing behind a solid offensive line, he looks slow to recognize the openings they create for him. And for a man of his physical stature he seems to go down fairly easily, at least in the games I've seen. All that said, if he runs a 4.3, someone will draft him early.
P.S. - While Blount's actions were inexcusable, a small part of me did take some guilty satisfaction in seeing the smug Boise State player so emphatically and immediately punked out.
P.S. - While Blount's actions were inexcusable, a small part of me did take some guilty satisfaction in seeing the smug Boise State player so emphatically and immediately punked out.
QUOTE (strat1080 @ Oct 2 2009, 10:37 PM)
I thought the initial reaction by Oregon was completely over the top and now they look like total retards.
Dude, please. Developmentally disabled is the preferred nomenclature.
QUOTE (packinatl @ Oct 3 2009, 07:26 AM)
Strat I agree 100% that the Bosie State guy needed to get punished also, but as far a Blount goes he needed to go for the year for a number of reasons. First of all he sucker punched a guy with his back turned, forget the heat of the moment, sure its an emotional game but there are ways to confront the situation sure go back and shove him back but not sucker punch. But most of all this was not his first suspension at Oregon, it was his 3rd. He clashed many times with Mike Bellotti and earned a suspension last year. He was a loose cannon then After the season he was suspended again for for "failure to fulfill team obligations. He has had chances. What Oregon is saying here is that its OK to punch a player, go after fans in the stands. Hell he even punched his own teammate trying to break it up Oregon is sending a message that this behavior is OK...he has had his chances...... The program is bigger than one player. Its about accountability, both by the player and the University
I didn't realize Blount has been in so much trouble. I thought this was his first incident. I can see a team drafting a kid with his tools but LATER in the draft. BTW, the Boise State player did not shove him. He hit him hard on the shoulder pad and yelled something to everybody within earshot, ridiculing and laughing at Blount. I don't know why he picked out Blount to be so classless to, but he paid a heavy price for it. Perhaps Boise State thought the price of getting his lights punched out was punishment enough.
I thought the act of Blount hitting his own teammate when the guy was just trying to get him to settle down was deplorable. You could tell it really shook the player up. I'm not so sure I'd have a guy like that on my team. I don't know if I could trust a guy like that to be good for my team. If GB drafted him, I'd hope for the best.
QUOTE (Arrigo @ Oct 2 2009, 03:18 PM)
Blount, a 6-foot-2, 240-pound transfer from East Mississippi Community College, rushed for 1,002 yards and a school-record 17 touchdowns last season. It has been reported that Blount could run in the low 4.3 range at the combine.
I'll ignore the fact that he's an idiotic thug, and just be honest:
If he weighs in at 240 pounds, and runs in the low 4.3 range, then I'd be all over him by the third round. Maybe sooner, depending on who declares early and how the draft plays out. I'd be stunned if he posted those numbers -- those are, like, Bo Jackson style measurables -- but if he did...
It's not like he'd be the first idiotic thug to play in the NFL.
QUOTE (Arrigo @ Oct 2 2009, 02:18 PM)
When Oregon running back LeGarrette Blount lost control of his emotions after their loss to Boise St. and punched an opposing player, threw a punch at a teammate and went after Boise St. fans on his way back to the locker room, many experts thought his NFL dreams were over. That may not be the case.
Blount is going to be reinstated by Oregon University today (Friday October 2nd, 2009) according to ESPN's Joe Schad. Oregon head coach Chip Kelly has called a news conference after practice today to announce Blount's reinstatement.
"After speaking with a number of nationally renowned professionals in the field, which included Dr. Harry Edwards and Tony Dungy, I came to the conclusion that leaving the door open for LeGarrette's potential return as an active player was the best solution," Kelly said Friday in a statement.
Blount has talked to Tony Dungy, Jon Gruden, former NBA player Kermit Washington; and Harry Edwards, a professor emeritus at Cal-Berkely. It is reported that they all have come away impressed with him. Blount also became a father for the first time recently and people close to the program say he is a different man.
On Thursday the student newspaper did a story on Blount and the incident. Blount sent this letter of apology to them.
"On a personal note, I probably will never be able to erase the memories of the post-game events of that day. Given this, I do not expect to be given a second chance to be a positive and responsible member of the football program and of this community," Blount said in the letter to the editor. "Going forward, what I hope for is the opportunity to show that I am able to earn a second chance as a University student. And if I am so fortunate, I believe that I also will demonstrate that I am a better man and a better human being for having lived through this unfortunate experience."
NFL teams will have Blount "red flagged" because of "off the field issues" and rightfully so. But just like other players who have had issues on and off the field Blount's god given ability may make teams think twice about leaving him off their boards.
Blount, a 6-foot-2, 240-pound transfer from East Mississippi Community College, rushed for 1,002 yards and a school-record 17 touchdowns last season. It has been reported that Blount could run in the low 4.3 range at the combine. Blount was mentioned as a possible Heisman candidate and on the Doak Walker watch list (for the nations best running back).
Blount's abilities had rated by ESPN's and Souts IncTodd McShay as the 2nd best running back coming into the season and a possible second round pick. McShay has said that because of the situation at Boise St. he would slip to the seventh round or go undrafted costing him millions of dollars. Some scouts believe that he has all the physical ability to be a very good every down back and that his passion and will to win led him to lose his temper.
What Blount did was a deplorable, inexcusable act that warranted a suspension, but the whole year? I think 6-7 games is about right. That is (about) 2/3rds of the NCAA season. But at least he was suspended. Byron Hout, the player Blount punched, was not suspended by Boise St. head coach Chris Petersen.
Blount and Kelly called Boise State coach Chris Petersen and Hout soon after the suspension to apologize. It is also believed that Oregon athletic director and former head coach Mike Bellotti and school president Richard Lariviere are on board with the possibility for reinstatement, though it is not known to what extent the Pac-10 has been involved.
But will teams take a shot with Blount? He has had no other off the field issues and has all the tools they look for in a running back. Size, speed, vision, toughness and good hands. Will that be enough for teams to over look what happened against Boise St.?
Blount has been participating in Oregon practice as a member of the scout team and has been attending classes under scholarship so he is still in great shape. The belief is Kelly will have Blount's first game come against USC on October 31st. Oregon also plays three teams that didn't make it to a bowl last season, Washington State, UCLA and Washington before the USC meeting.
Roger Goddell's no nonsense policy when it comes to off the field actions and player accountability will way heavy on teams considering at Blount and some will take him off their draft boards. Teams in larger markets may decide to pass on him, but Blount may thrive in a small market with a team like Green Bay, Seattle or Kansas City.
A team will take a chance on Blount. He is to talented not to. The question is who and what round? Time will tell. But the NFL is all about second chances. Michael Vick, KorenRobinson, Tank Johnson, Chris Henry and Pac Man Jones to name a few. Some of those guys have turned their lives around, while Jones seems to have not learned from his past transgressions.
When it is all said and done, teams in the NFL will take a shot on him. They all want the most "bang for their buck" and Blount could be that guy. He will slip from the second round grade and a team will snatch him up, then it will be up to him to continue to show growth on and off the field. If he can stay on the straight and narrow, a team will come away with a steal of a pick.
Blount is going to be reinstated by Oregon University today (Friday October 2nd, 2009) according to ESPN's Joe Schad. Oregon head coach Chip Kelly has called a news conference after practice today to announce Blount's reinstatement.
"After speaking with a number of nationally renowned professionals in the field, which included Dr. Harry Edwards and Tony Dungy, I came to the conclusion that leaving the door open for LeGarrette's potential return as an active player was the best solution," Kelly said Friday in a statement.
Blount has talked to Tony Dungy, Jon Gruden, former NBA player Kermit Washington; and Harry Edwards, a professor emeritus at Cal-Berkely. It is reported that they all have come away impressed with him. Blount also became a father for the first time recently and people close to the program say he is a different man.
On Thursday the student newspaper did a story on Blount and the incident. Blount sent this letter of apology to them.
"On a personal note, I probably will never be able to erase the memories of the post-game events of that day. Given this, I do not expect to be given a second chance to be a positive and responsible member of the football program and of this community," Blount said in the letter to the editor. "Going forward, what I hope for is the opportunity to show that I am able to earn a second chance as a University student. And if I am so fortunate, I believe that I also will demonstrate that I am a better man and a better human being for having lived through this unfortunate experience."
NFL teams will have Blount "red flagged" because of "off the field issues" and rightfully so. But just like other players who have had issues on and off the field Blount's god given ability may make teams think twice about leaving him off their boards.
Blount, a 6-foot-2, 240-pound transfer from East Mississippi Community College, rushed for 1,002 yards and a school-record 17 touchdowns last season. It has been reported that Blount could run in the low 4.3 range at the combine. Blount was mentioned as a possible Heisman candidate and on the Doak Walker watch list (for the nations best running back).
Blount's abilities had rated by ESPN's and Souts IncTodd McShay as the 2nd best running back coming into the season and a possible second round pick. McShay has said that because of the situation at Boise St. he would slip to the seventh round or go undrafted costing him millions of dollars. Some scouts believe that he has all the physical ability to be a very good every down back and that his passion and will to win led him to lose his temper.
What Blount did was a deplorable, inexcusable act that warranted a suspension, but the whole year? I think 6-7 games is about right. That is (about) 2/3rds of the NCAA season. But at least he was suspended. Byron Hout, the player Blount punched, was not suspended by Boise St. head coach Chris Petersen.
Blount and Kelly called Boise State coach Chris Petersen and Hout soon after the suspension to apologize. It is also believed that Oregon athletic director and former head coach Mike Bellotti and school president Richard Lariviere are on board with the possibility for reinstatement, though it is not known to what extent the Pac-10 has been involved.
But will teams take a shot with Blount? He has had no other off the field issues and has all the tools they look for in a running back. Size, speed, vision, toughness and good hands. Will that be enough for teams to over look what happened against Boise St.?
Blount has been participating in Oregon practice as a member of the scout team and has been attending classes under scholarship so he is still in great shape. The belief is Kelly will have Blount's first game come against USC on October 31st. Oregon also plays three teams that didn't make it to a bowl last season, Washington State, UCLA and Washington before the USC meeting.
Roger Goddell's no nonsense policy when it comes to off the field actions and player accountability will way heavy on teams considering at Blount and some will take him off their draft boards. Teams in larger markets may decide to pass on him, but Blount may thrive in a small market with a team like Green Bay, Seattle or Kansas City.
A team will take a chance on Blount. He is to talented not to. The question is who and what round? Time will tell. But the NFL is all about second chances. Michael Vick, KorenRobinson, Tank Johnson, Chris Henry and Pac Man Jones to name a few. Some of those guys have turned their lives around, while Jones seems to have not learned from his past transgressions.
When it is all said and done, teams in the NFL will take a shot on him. They all want the most "bang for their buck" and Blount could be that guy. He will slip from the second round grade and a team will snatch him up, then it will be up to him to continue to show growth on and off the field. If he can stay on the straight and narrow, a team will come away with a steal of a pick.
A 4.3 40 at 6-2 and 240????? That would be unreal!!
Okay, well that is one incident correct or does the kid have a list of trouble? I've been busy and haven't really done much preliminary work on players yet. Because IMO; one incident; though bad judgement wouldn't change things too drastically. A player that gets heated on the field?? Does anyone remember Wayne Simmons? It's not a sexual assault case; drug case, DWI and so on.
Bottom Line is can the kid play? Moss and Sapp had Pot problems and still went RD. 1 and were considered risks; yes they dropped alot; but still went in Rd.1. With someone his size and might-have speed; if he passes team's psyche tests and so on; I couldn't see him going as late as what they are saying. Now that's provided his workout at the combine in the cone drills and so on are really good. (I believe everyone remember big RBs that haven't panned out like Dayne.)
A player the size of a FB; with RB skills and possible speed? That sounds (as a player) as a fit for teams like NYG, Tenn, Phil; and Pitt.
QUOTE (Terranimal @ Oct 29 2009, 07:02 AM)
A player the size of a FB; with RB skills and possible speed? That sounds (as a player) as a fit for teams like NYG, Tenn, Phil; and Pitt.
How about Green Bay?
QUOTE (JASIII @ Oct 4 2009, 12:48 PM)
Dude, please. Developmentally disabled is the preferred nomenclature.
Dude who prefers it?
By the way.....where is the PacMan these days?
I kinda miss his strip club shootemup exploits!
Where is the guy?
I kinda miss his strip club shootemup exploits!
Where is the guy?
QUOTE (Wolfman @ Nov 1 2009, 12:18 AM)
How about Green Bay?
I thought that went w/o saying
But what I was meaning was if one of those fell in love with that player; you know they would probally take him sooner then he should go..................
QUOTE (Terranimal @ Oct 29 2009, 09:02 PM)
A 4.3 40 at 6-2 and 240????? That would be unreal!!
Okay, well that is one incident correct or does the kid have a list of trouble? I've been busy and haven't really done much preliminary work on players yet. Because IMO; one incident; though bad judgement wouldn't change things too drastically. A player that gets heated on the field?? Does anyone remember Wayne Simmons? It's not a sexual assault case; drug case, DWI and so on.
Bottom Line is can the kid play? Moss and Sapp had Pot problems and still went RD. 1 and were considered risks; yes they dropped alot; but still went in Rd.1. With someone his size and might-have speed; if he passes team's psyche tests and so on; I couldn't see him going as late as what they are saying. Now that's provided his workout at the combine in the cone drills and so on are really good. (I believe everyone remember big RBs that haven't panned out like Dayne.)
A player the size of a FB; with RB skills and possible speed? That sounds (as a player) as a fit for teams like NYG, Tenn, Phil; and Pitt.
Okay, well that is one incident correct or does the kid have a list of trouble? I've been busy and haven't really done much preliminary work on players yet. Because IMO; one incident; though bad judgement wouldn't change things too drastically. A player that gets heated on the field?? Does anyone remember Wayne Simmons? It's not a sexual assault case; drug case, DWI and so on.
Bottom Line is can the kid play? Moss and Sapp had Pot problems and still went RD. 1 and were considered risks; yes they dropped alot; but still went in Rd.1. With someone his size and might-have speed; if he passes team's psyche tests and so on; I couldn't see him going as late as what they are saying. Now that's provided his workout at the combine in the cone drills and so on are really good. (I believe everyone remember big RBs that haven't panned out like Dayne.)
A player the size of a FB; with RB skills and possible speed? That sounds (as a player) as a fit for teams like NYG, Tenn, Phil; and Pitt.
he has had issues the past 2 years, suspended 3 times now
I was at that game and Blount did nothing to impress me. Oregon could not even get a 1st down in the 1st half. And yes he was provoked and nothing publicly happened to the BSU player.
QUOTE (Terranimal @ Nov 2 2009, 07:26 AM)
I thought that went w/o saying
But what I was meaning was if one of those fell in love with that player; you know they would probally take him sooner then he should go..................
But what I was meaning was if one of those fell in love with that player; you know they would probally take him sooner then he should go..................
I know, Terranimal. Tongue in cheek, my friend!
Good to see you posting again.
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