FANTASY FOOTBALL NFL PLAYERS

Posted: 5/5/2013 2:55pm et

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said he believes the team got good value when they acquired RB LeGarrette Blount. 'With LeGarrette, he's been a productive player. He didn't play as much last year with the emergence of [Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Doug Martin] down there, so I can certainly understand that Tampa was in. We felt like he was a talented guy that we wanted to have on our team,' Belichick said.

Huddle Up: While Belichick and the Pats are pleased with Blount's addition, it only spells further headaches for fantasy GMs trying to get a read on the Pats' backfield situation. In addition to Blount and fellow newcomer Leon Washington, holdovers Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen, Brandon Bolden will also be in the mix, making for another fantasy mess.

Posted: 4/23/2013 12:33am et

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are still looking to trade RB LeGarrette Blount. Several teams have shown interest in Blount and a trade could occur during the 2013 NFL Draft.

Huddle Up: Blount could likely be had for a late-round pick, as the Bucs are set at running back with Doug Martin and Brian Leonard. He'll need to land in the right situation to regain his fantasy value.

Posted: 3/9/2013 2:22pm et

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are looking to trade RB LeGarrette Blount this offseason even though he signed a one-year deal. The Buccaneers could receive a mid-round pick in a trade for Blount.

Huddle Up: Easier to trade a guy with a bargain contract, and it's clear that Doug Martin is the go-to guy in Tampa Bay. Blount could wind up as a between-the-tackles member of a committee, but his fantasy value at this juncture is negligible.

Posted: 3/9/2013 11:03am et

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have re-signed RB LeGarrette Blount to a one-year deal worth $1.75 million. The deal includes a $1.25 million base salary, $350,000 reporting bonus and $150,000 workout bonus.

Huddle Up: Blount is a backup/complement to Doug Martin, who at worst case might take some goal line carries off the Muscle Hamster's plate. No reason to worry about Martin's fantasy value taking a significant hit.

Posted: 3/6/2013 12:00am et

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are considering putting a first-round tender on RB LeGarrette Blount. If they did tender Blount, he would make $2.879 million in 2013 if he did not sign an extension. General manager Mark Dominik does not want to leave himself short at the running back position in the event of injury.

Huddle Up: Blount was a forgotten man with only 9 carries over the second half of the season as rookie Doug Martin took off, and it sounds like he'll be back as an insurance policy and a fantasy-handcuff to Martin.

Posted: 10/10/2012 11:29pm et

Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB LeGarrette Blount has been performing well in practice, which could his bid to see more carries on game day. 'I think LeGarrette has practiced better the last couple weeks,' head coach Greg Schiano said. 'I think when you prepare better you play better.' Schiano thinks both Blount and RB Doug Martin can play off each other successfully because they have different running styles and body types.

Huddle Up: In each successive game they have played, Blount's carries have increased while Martin's have decreased. In Week 4, Martin had 2 more attempts than Blount (8-6) but it was Blount who found the end zone on a 2-yard plunge. The Bucs since have had their bye week to sort things out, but it appears as if this situation will definitely be a timeshare going forward.

Posted: 9/29/2012 12:56am et

Updating a previous report, Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Greg Schiano said Friday, Sept. 28, that he thinks RB LeGarrette Blount needs more carries, and he might get them in Week 4 against the Washington Redskins.

Huddle Up: Most expected prized rookie Doug Martin to get the majority of the touches for the Bucs, but Martin's 69-8 "edge" over Blount through 3 games has been a little stunning.

Posted: 9/20/2012 3:27pm et

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Greg Schiano said that LeGarrette Blount is still No. 2 on the team's depth chart Thursday, Sept. 20.

Huddle Up: Blount was nowhere to be found on the Bucs' Week 2 stat sheet, failing to register a rushing attempt or a reception against the Giants. This came after getting only 4 touches (3 rushes, 1 reception) in Week 1. The Tampa backfield was expected to be more of a timeshare entering the season, but so far it's been all rookie Doug Martin, who has 44 rushes and 4 receptions through 2 games.

Posted: 9/12/2012 2:08pm et

Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB LeGarrette Blount (neck, back) will not practice Wednesday, Sept. 12, and is undergoing an MRI on his neck and back after suffering an injury in Week 1. 'I can categorically confirm it has nothing to do with concussions whatsoever. So, there's nothing there,' general manager Mark Dominik said. 'In order to make sure the information is correct and that we're getting out the right information, there's nothing concussion-related with LeGarrette Blount. However, we're going to do our due diligence on our players to make sure player safety is No. 1, the most important thing.'

Huddle Up: All this likely means is that Doug Martin will continue to be the bell cow for Tampa Bay. If Blount misses any time, though, Michael Smith will become an instant sleeper for the Bucs. The speedy rookie looked great in the preseason, albeit against second- and third-string defenses.

Posted: 9/11/2012 5:10pm et

Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB LeGarrette Blount (leg) left the game in Week 1 against the Carolina Panthers with a leg injury and never returned to the game. He finished with only three carries and one catch in the contest. However, head coach Greg Schiano said Blount could have returned to the game. 'LeGarrette could have gone back in the game,' Schiano said. 'So, let me make that clear. I don't know if we're all certain on what's ailing LeGarrette. He came out of the game, and we thought it was his leg. We're not sure, but I think he's okay.'

Huddle Up: If Schiano and the Bucs aren't certain on Blount's status, then there's no way he belongs anywhere near a fantasy starting lineup for the time being. On the flip side, this is positive news for Doug Martin's owners as it will be the rookie's show as long as long as Blount is limited.

Posted: 9/6/2012 4:10pm et

Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan said he believes RB LeGarrette Blount will be a good complement to RB Doug Martin. Blount said his running style and size is a complement to Martin.

Huddle Up: Martin, the Bucs' first-round pick, is the new starter in Tampa, but don't write off Blount by any means. Martin has yet to notch his first official NFL carry and hasn't proven anything as a pro, particularly his durability over a full 16-game season. Blount is sure to see some carries each week, and could even serve as the team's goalline back.

Posted: 8/19/2012 7:55pm et

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Greg Schiano said he does not expect RB LeGarrette Blount (groin) to miss a significant amount of time after suffering the injury in the preseason game Friday, Aug. 17. Schiano said he does not know if Blount will be able to practice this week.

Huddle Up: The fantasy die already has been cast in the Bucs' backfield in favor of first-rounder Doug Martin, whose ADP is a full spots higher (18 vs. 43) than Blount's among drafted RBs. Martin clearly is a better receiver out the backfield, but don't drop Blount too low, though, as both backs will see their share of carries.

Posted: 8/17/2012 11:26pm et

Updating a previous report, Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Greg Schiano said Friday, Aug. 17, that the injury RB LeGarrette Blount (groin) suffered in the preseason game Friday was a groin injury and not a knee issue. The injury is not believed to be serious. Blount is vying for the starting tailback job with RB Doug Martin.

Huddle Up: Blount, who is entering his third season with the Bucs, looks to be headed for a timeshare with first-round pick Doug Martin, but the extent of this injury has the possibility to change the whole running-game dynamic in Tampa. However, if these early reports of a non-serious injury prove out to be the case, then there may be little impact to the situation heading into the regular season.