When Mr. Irrelevant is announced and the draft officially ends, hundreds of phone calls are made to those who were not drafted. The 49ers reportedly struck a deal with Oregon's talented, yet troubled runningback LeGarrette Blount moments after the draft, but the following day he decided to decline San Francisco's offer and bolted to Nashville, where he will try to become a Tennessee Titan.
After the trade of LenDale White to Seattle, the Titans left the 2010 NFL Draft with only two runningbacks - Chris Johnson and Javon Ringer - on their roster. Stafon Johnson was signed moments after and now Blount comes on looking for a roster spot. With the history behind Tennessee's depth at runningback - they've carried four backs on the active roster for the past few years - it seems like both undrafted free agent rookies will have excellent opportunities to make the team.
Johnson is an incredible story that you have all heard by now. But instead of getting into that, let's focus on the more talented back - in my opinion - who could possibly make a splash in his rookie season (assuming he makes the team).
First off, without White, the Titans are left without a true power back. Blount can fill that role and give Tennessee a very nice 1-2 punch (pun intended) with Chris Johnson. The former Oregon back checks in at 6'1" and 238 pounds, and he ran a 4.53 at his Pro Day in Eugene.
He was named a darkhorse candidate to take home the Heisman Trophy before the 2009 college football season. As a junior, he split carries with senior Jeremiah Johnson and still ended up with 1002 yards and 17 touchdowns. His combination of power, elusiveness and surprising speed made him one of the top runningbacks on any NFL draft evaluator's board coming into his senior campaign.
And then the punch happened.
We all have seen the highlight by now. After a frustrating loss to Boise State in the opening week of the college football season, Blount laid a right hook to Broncos linebacker Byron Hout while other players were shaking hands. His anger got the best of him and had to be pulled away from the stands because it seemed like he was about to pull a Ron Artest.
Suspended for the season - later was reinstated for the rivalry game against Oregon State - Blount watched freshman LaMichael James steal the show and lead Oregon to a Rose Bowl. Blount's stock continued to pummel and he was now looked upon as a sixth or seventh round pick in the draft. Again, remember that just a few months prior to this, he was some draft analysts' best runningback coming out.
Hopefully he has realized his faults and has matured enough to continue his dream of playing in the NFL. LeGarrette Blount, welcome to Tennessee.
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