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ESPN's Josina Anderson reported that running back LeGarrette Blount was at the Patriots facility and was expecting to sign. The Baltimore Sun's Aaron Wilson reported that Blount signed a two-year deal with New England, locking him up on the veteran's minimum through the 2015 season.
This is a no brainer signing and is a perfect move for the Patriots down the final stretch. If the offense ever wants to copy their game plan against the Colts down the road, it will help to have another bruising running back in Blount to complement Jonas Gray, so no one is carrying the ball 37 times.
Blount had success with the Patriots as Bill Belichick coached him to change his running style and lower his pads. He's a great match with Gray and provides a little more home run ability- and he does a solid job of avoiding negative plays (ranking in the top 10 in the league, along with Stevan Ridley).
It would make sense that Blount and Gray will rotate drives, or quarters, or halves, to keep them fresh. Shane Vereen will continue his role as a receiving back and the two-minute drill option.
To make space for Blount, the Patriots released defensive tackle Casey Walker. Walker has seen his playing time decrease over the past few weeks (and didn't play against the Colts) as Alan Branch has become more comfortable in the system and as Dominique Easley has emerged. Walker is a practice squad candidate.
The move also signals a potential return of defensive tackle Sealver Siliga who has returned from the injured reserve list and has practiced this week. The Patriots have three weeks to make a decision with Siliga, and it's likely he'll be activated in the next few weeks.
On the downside, defensive end Chandler Jones is likely out through the rest of the season, per the Boston Globe's Shalise Manza-Young. Jones has been battling a hip injury and the rest is a smart move- and perhaps it will add a new element and a fresh pair of legs when the games become must-win.