[follow_me]
Play 7: 1st & 10. -44. 13:56 3rd.
Personnel: 11 XL
Run scheme: Power
http://i.imgur.com/MPMuG0z.jpg
The Patriots bring back out their XL package for the beginning of the 2nd half, and run a power play to open the half (just like they did in the first). The Patriots OL really excels here, particularly the XLT and LT, double teaming the DT while also taking out the WLB. The RG is once again pulling and meets the MLB in the hole before turning his hips on him and walling him off, a bad play by the LB. Blount shows good patience on this play waiting for the RG to wall off the defender before taking the hole that opens up and finishing off the run for a gain of 6. (Also, excellent block by the WR on the FS).
Play 8: 3rd & 1. 47. 12:22 3rd.
Personnel: 11 XL
Run scheme: Outside Zone
http://i.imgur.com/6uSbWzo.jpg
Once again it’s 3rd and 1, and once again the Patriots are running an outside zone concept. This time it works better than the last. The XLT and the LT do an impressive job working the SLB and the MLB together and taking them both out of the play. The FB once again is responsible for kicking out the DE, and does much better on this play of stoning the DE and keeping the hole. Blount does not have to cut this one back, he sees the hole and gets himself skinny through the hole, making the WLB miss while he does that. He then shows great reaction time by seeing the SS coming downhill on him and quickly jump cutting to give himself an open field. And although Blount doesn’t have incredible breakaway speed, his agility is what makes this play for a gain of 22.
Play 9: 1st & 10. 25. 11:41 3rd.
Personnel: 12
Run scheme: Outside Zone
http://i.imgur.com/3FzA6xl.jpg
Once again the Patriots are running outside zone, as I imagine they get a sense that it’s been working for them. This time out of an overloaded 2 TE set. What I like on this play is the work of the C and RG. Watch as the C first chips the Nose, and the RG then reach blocks him and throws him by the play, pretty impressive. Blount also does a nice job on this play. With the MLB coming free on this play, Blount gives him a nice hesitation move in the hole and makes the LB miss, while also allowing time for a hole to open up. Blount “gets skinny” once again, fitting himself through the hole and gaining 9 on the play.
Play 10: 1st & 10. 14. 5:11 3rd.
Personnel: 11 XL
Run scheme: Inside Zone
http://i.imgur.com/Tcxhsbm.jpg
This time the Patriots run an inside zone scheme, as the Colts have probably gotten a sense of the outside zone. The initial run looks as if it’s designed to the TE side, but it is not. You can tell this by noticing the LG and C double teaming the Nose, while the LT seals off the DT. The initial run action is important because it gets the LB’s flowing. But this play is a designed cutback all the way. Blount does a quick jump cut into the open hole and accelerates into the Colts secondary for a gain of 9.
Play 11: 1st & 10. 13. 2:14 3rd.
Personnel: 11 XL
Run scheme: Iso
http://i.imgur.com/gCpmZit.jpg
Getting the ball right after a turnover, the Patriots put the nail in the coffin on this play. The LT and LG make this play once again. Initially, they double team the DT, with the LG coming off and sealing off the WLB, while the LT pushes the DT by the play, taking him out of it completely. The rest is up to Blount. He hits the hole quickly, which gets him past and defenders squeezing down. Once through the hole, he accelerates to a cutback lane towards the endzone, where he meets 2 defenders head on. Blount runs through both of them and finishes the play of for a 13 yard score.
Play 12: 1st & 10. 28. 14:17 4th.
Personnel: 11 XL
Run scheme: Outside Zone
http://i.imgur.com/P80TV0h.jpg
Back to the outside zone here for the Patriots. From this endzone, we have a much better view of how well the Patriots OL gets up the field and to the second level. But watch the backside on this play, because that is what allows Blount to get loose. The Center bypasses the Nose, who is head up on him, in order to get to the WLB. The LG, must quickly get down the line in order to cut block the Nose, which he does beautifully just as he is closing in on Blount. Blount does a nice job of taking what is given on this play and reading his blocks. He sees that the RG has walled his man off, and cuts right off of his butt to get what he can. Some RB’s may have kept stretching in order to get outside, but Blount takes what he can. The play results in a gain of 7.
LeGarrette Blount has now dominated in back to back playoff seasons for the Patriots. His vision and agility are incredible attributes that he possesses, that may surprise you. His ability to squeeze through holes, or see the cutback lane before making one man miss to break the play open, is amazing. I believe these traits are what defines him as a RB, although with a 250 lb frame, he can run you over as well. He along with the Patriots, doing a great job of working hand in hand and will be very vital if the Patriots are to win the Super Bowl.
I only showed 1 of Blount’s TD runs, because the others are runs of 1 and 2 yards, and not actually impressive running plays.
