LeGarrette Blount Reunion With New England Patriots Very Unlikely

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By Peter Rogers @petahrahgas on November 18, 2014

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Today was a bad day for veteran running backs. First,Ben Tate was released by the Cleveland Browns after he didnt contribute much, and now LeGarrette Blount was released by the Pittsburgh Steelers after complaining about his serious lack of carries. So now Blount is in search for a new team to roll with and many eyes are turning to the New England Patriots as the destination that makes the most sense.

Off the top of the head, yeah it does make sense. Blount enjoyed a ton of success with the Patriots last year, single-handedly beating the Indianapolis Coltsin the playoffs (man the Colts have really bad luck against New England running backs). For the Patriots, yes Jonas Gray was amazing Sunday night, but imagine having both Blount and Gray in the backfield. Imagine the power!

But when you look harder at the situation, Blount doesnt want to be back in New England and Im pretty sure the Patriots are okay with that.

In Pittsburgh, Blount felt like he was being wildly underutilized which, for the most part, is correct. Though its hard to take LeVeon Bell off the field when hes just torching defenses right and left. Blount is going to be looking for a team that will assure him of the top spot at running back, and the Patriots wont do that. In fact, the Patriots would be silly to do that.

We just witnessed one of the best games by a running back ever in a Patriots uniform, and the team would be silly not to just let Gray run the ball for the rest of the season and see what hes got. Thats especially the case with both Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen being free agents at the end of the year.

My best guess for Blount is, as much as it pains me to say it, the Denver Broncos. The Broncos obviously need a running back badly (worse than you can even imagine), and we all know Blount and Aqib Talib are besties, so the pairing makes a lot of sense.

Had I not just witnessed Gray destroying aTop 10 run defense, I would be all on the Blount bandwagon, but the Patriots need to give Gray a chance and Blount needs to have his starting role. Sadly, that means no reunion in Foxboro.

Peter Rogers is a New England Patriots writer for RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @petahrahgas, Like him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google

Source: http://www.rantsports.com/nfl/2014/11/18/legarrette-blount-reunion-with-new-england-patriots-very-unlikely/

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To fix Redskins, Jay Gruden needs to get tough on locker-room behavior

The Redskins' hopes for a win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were dashed Sunday as the offensive line failed to protect quarterback Robert Griffin III. The Post's Gene w**g and Scott Allen give you their takeaways on the game. (Randolph Smith/The Washington Post)

When a team struggles to perform the most basic tasks as the Washington Redskins did during their comedy of errors in Sundays 27-7 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, its probably time for a new approach. Coach Jay Gruden must develop a tougher one.

While being dominatedon its home field by an opponent that lost eight of its first nine games, Washington continued to display an alarming lack of discipline.Many of the Redskins problems can be traced to their loosey-goosey culture.Thats on Gruden.

Jason Reid is a sports columnist with the Washington Post. He joined the Posts Redskins team in 2007 after 15 years covering many beats at the Los Angeles Times. View Archive

Head coaches set the tone, either through the force of their personalities or by whom they hire to help them lead.Although the straight-shooting Gruden isnt a pushover, hes definitely not the iron-fisted type. (None of his assistants are enforcers, either).

Once Grudens work is done, he likes to have a good time. Gruden trusts players to act similarly. The problem is Gruden has put too much trust in players who dont deserve it.

Among many mistakes Sunday, the Redskins had four false start penalties and another for an illegal formation because a player lined up on the wrong side of the field. Their failure to focus was indicative of their easy-going attitude and a leadership vacuum in the locker room. Repeatedly this season, the Redskins have displayed immaturity. Its time for them to grow up. It has to start with Gruden.

Gruden offered little public response following the Redskins festive antics after their 12th loss in 13 games earlier this season. Last week, he watched as players put up a toy hoop in the locker room and had a blast dunking during pickup games after practice, said reporters who were present. The Redskins are much more relaxed than a 3-7 team should be. Gruden doesnt seem to notice.

Theyre playing H-O-R-S-E in the locker room when practice is over. Yeah, when practice is over, Gruden said Monday. When meetings are over, meetings are over, whether they go home and play [video games] or study tape or have dinner with their wives and kids or have a quick game of H-O-R-S-E before they leave. Thats no reflection on how they perform on Sunday. Once the meetings and practice is over, they are free to unwind however they see fit.

Players arent robots. And theres nothing wrong with unwinding after a solid days work. Clearly, though, the Redskins arent getting their work done well.

Gruden inherited a roster in disrepair. President and General Manager Bruce Allen botched the offseason, failing to fill holes and opening more. Although Gruden was dealt a bad hand, he could play it better. Perhaps the Redskins would be more effective on the field if they had a little less fun off of it.

Lets not forget the Redskins have finished last in the NFC East five of the past six seasons and seven of the past 10. In the past eight seasons, they have no playoff victories. On Sunday, they were routed by hapless Tampa Bay, which had lost five straight, despite having two weeks to prepare. Under those circumstances, the hijinks dont look good.

The players who were basketball stars in the locker room werent among those penalized for mental gaffes against the Buccaneers. But it all adds up to an environment in which the whole team feels anything goes no matter how the groups actions might be perceived. Thats why many players recently felt emboldened to prevent reporters from interviewing Robert Griffin III by shouting in the locker room, prompting a team official to move the session into a hallway not very professional.

There have been issues in practice, too.Privately, some players have expressed concerns about teammates goofing off frequently. Again, though, Gruden likes what he sees.

The Post Sports Live crew discusses if expectations are different for the Redskins now that Robert Griffin III has returned. (Post Sports Live/The Washington Post)

I thought the effort was there, Gruden said of the teams preparation to face Tampa Bay. It just didnt carry over to Sunday for whatever reason.

But coaches have a saying: You play the way you practice. Perhaps Gruden is just seeing what he wants to see.

In an effort to get the results he wants on game day, Gruden should shake up his coaching staff in the offseason. Gruden needs someone to play the bad cop.Thats part of what Gregg Williams did for Joe Gibbs.

During Gibbss second stint with the Redskins, Williams ruled the defense with an iron fist. Williams commanded respect, former Redskins standouts LaVar Arrington and Shawn Springs often told me, and his hard-line approach helped create a culture that enabled the team to reach the playoffs twice in four seasons. These days, Redskins fans remember that time as glory years. Gruden could benefit from a no-nonsense right-hand man.

Any first-year head coach with a weak roster and a revolving door at quarterback would take pride in directing an offense that is tied for seventh in the NFL in yards per game. Theres no doubt about it: Gruden is good with Xs and Os. He has some growing to do, however, in being a leader, and how he goes about fixing the teams warped culture is his first big test.

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/redskins/to-fix-redskins-jay-gruden-needs-to-get-tough-on-locker-room-behavior/2014/11/17/b58dd164-6e9b-11e4-893f-86bd390a3340_story.html

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28 One Direction Fans Who Are Definitely "Dead" or "Dying" From Four's Release

Thousands, possibly millions of One Direction fans (aka "One Directioners"), were reported "dead" today. Cause of this "death?" The band released their fourth studio album, Four, and the fans cannot even. They tried to even, but apparently they were not successful.

One Direction fans have been waiting for this day since like, forever the boys announced the album in September, and now that it's finally here, most of those same fans are "no longer breathing" or "no longer alive" because of the sheer boyband force that swept the world once Four could be purchased. Early symptoms include "losing their chill" and forgetting "what is life." If you are feeling either of those symptoms, please prepare for your "death."

NEWS: Why was Zayn Malik missing from One Direction's Today appearance?

May these 28 1D fans rest in peace. They join Taylor Swift fans, who all already "died" from the release of 1989 and anyone who "died" from cuteness after watching this baby otter learning to swim.

RELATED: The Daily Show made a One Direction joke and fans were seriously p****d

Four is out now, but we are warning youthe album comes with a side of "dying tbh."

(But seriously, we cannot get "Steal My Girl" out of our heads.)

PHOTOS: Guess the One Direction tattoos

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Source: http://www.eonline.com/news/598510/28-one-direction-fans-who-are-definitely-dead-or-dying-from-four-s-release

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Alabama football fashion: Toboggans, scarves, fur vests get Tide and Bulldog ...

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama-- Temperatures cooled in Alabama last week, meaning football fans would have to dive into their closets for cold weather attire for the Tide's showdown against top-ranked Mississippi State on Saturday.

Toboggans, scarves, faux fur vests, jackets and more got fans through the chilly autumn weather, along with the hot food at tailgates across campus.

Alabama won the game 25-20, but which fan base wore it better pregame?

Check out our fan fashion photo gallery above.

SEE ALSO:Fall foliage provides perfect backdrop for Alabama-Mississippi State tailgating; see pregame photos

Alabama fans poke fun at Dan Mullen, Dak Prescott with signs during ESPN's 'College GameDay' show

ESPN College GameDay welcomes guest picker and Navy SEAL Marcus Lutrell; see photos from the set

Watch Alabama fans sing 'Rammer Jammer' after Tide's win over No. 1 Mississippi State

Alabama Fan Tailgate of the Week: Crimson and Wright Tailgaters set up shop at St. Francis Church

Source: http://www.al.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2014/11/alabama_football_fashion_tobog.html

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Florida State Football: Defense Bears Down

Florida State's defense made the proper adjustments to shut down Miami's potent offense in the second half of Saturday night's 30-26, come from behind game.

It started in far too a familiar fashion for this Florida State defense. Another offense began the game gashing the Seminoles defensive troops. Time after time Miami starting quarterback Brad Kaaya shredded the Seminole secondary with precise throws, while Duke Johnson kept drives alive for the Hurricanes on the ground. The Noles seemed to have no answer for the freshman signal caller and the Miami offense.

"Teams just come out ready to play us and we have to learn to come out and match their intensity from the first snap", defensive back Jalen Ramsey said.

As the Noles looked up at the scoreboard leaving the field at halftime to the locker room they saw a 23-10 deficit in which they gave up 320 total yard to the Miami offense. The Hurricanes ran 39 plays for a 8.2 yards per play average, feeling confident heading into the break.

That's when, as they have numerous times this season, the Florida State defense hunkered down to play a fantastic second half of defense.

"There was adjustments we had to execute", linebacker Reggie Northrup said. "We kept our heads up at halftime and just said 'c'mon we got this' and went out did what we had to do."

"Me and some of the other leaders like Jalen, Rashad, and Terrance told each other we need to play Florida State football and we came out in the second half and stopped them", added defensive end Mario Edwards Jr.

Stop them they did, holding the potent Hurricane offense to just 172 yards of total offense on 35 plays, for a paltry 4.9 yards per play. The Seminole defense forced three turnovers in the half giving new life to an offense that was busy turning the ball over on its own.

After a fantastic first half for Kaaya the freshman signal caller was stymied by the FSU defense in the second half as he went just 6-17 for 76 yards and an interception. Miami scored just three points the entire second half after pouring in 23 in the first.

"Like coach says, we love, trust, and believe in the process", Edwards Jr. noted. "Not for one second did we think we that just because they jumped on us in the first half that we were going to lose."

"When our defense gets rolling, they are really hard to score against", quarterback Jameis Winston added.

A lot of credit must be given to defensive coordinator Charles Kelly for the adjustments he made in the second half to stifle the Miami attack. Jimbo Fisher noted that the Noles went to more of a nickel base to counter Miami's wide receiver and athletic tight end Clive Walford. FSU used a heavier package throughout the first half in order to stop Hurricane all-world running back Duke Johnson. While they did handle him in the opening half, it allowed Kaaya and the passing game to take advantage of FSU's linebackers, who are poor in pass coverage. The second half adjustment proved too much for Kaaya and the Canes.

"We did more nickel in the second half to match-up better with their receivers", Ramsey said. "Coach Kelly is a tremendous coach and he really put that fire in us at halftime, we trust him a lot."

Florida State outscored Miami 20-3 in the second half thanks in large part to the effort of the defense to keep the Hurricanes at bay for the last 20 minutes of the game. While the Noles may have obvious flaws, it's clear that as a team they won't be held down for a full 60 minutes. If a team wants to end the 26 game winning streak they will have to outfight, out-gut, and out-heart this Seminole squad for the game's entirety. Lead by this defense, Florida State knows when to flip a switch and rip the hearts out of the opposing team's stomach.

"They are a family, they play for each other, they never panic, said Jimbo Fisher. "They look each other in the eye and they handle the next play."

As they handle the next play, this Seminole team finds ways to stay alive and fight another day.

Source: http://www.tomahawknation.com/2014/11/16/7228335/florida-state-football-defense-bears-down-fsu-miami-noles-hurricanes

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Redskins-Buccaneers best and worst

Best and worst moments from Washingtons 27-7 loss to the Buccaneers at FedEx Field.

Worst title for a weekly game feature: Best and Worst, because then what do you do when there arent many bests to choose from? Get creative, I guess. (In all of the Redskins games hes covered, Im sure Dan Steinberg has made some version of this joke before, but this a 20-point loss to the 1-8 Buccaneers at home kinda felt like the worst of the worst. But maybe thats just me.)

Worst first play from scrimmage: Robert Griffin III didnt like his first read and pulled the ball down before being chased out of the pocket. Rolling to his left, Griffin threw low to Niles Paul, who bobbled the ball into the hands of Danny Lansanah. The Buccaneers turned the turnover into three points. We wouldve all been better off if officials declared the game over after that.

Best stat: This doesnt include his Pee-Wee, high school or college days, but Griffin had never thrown a pick on his first career pass attempt in 32 NFL games. So theres that. Lets hope it doesnt become a habit.

Worst second play from scrimmage: Technically, it wasnt a play, but a penalty a false start on wide receiver Pierre Garcon. It was going to be that type of day. Logan Paulsen and Leonard Hankerson, neither of whom are linemen, were both flagged for false starts later in the game.

Worst third drive: On third and sixfrom the Redskins 8-yard line, Griffins pass intended for Garcon was tipped by Mason Foster and intercepted by Johnthan Banks, who returned it for a touchdown. The only way the game couldve started any worse for Washington was if Griffin had injured his shoulder on his leaping attempt to knock Banks out of bounds near the goal line on the return.

Best QB:Josh McCown outplayed Griffin, completing 15 of 23 passes for 288 yards and two touchdowns. It helped that the Tampa Bay offensive line kept the veteran on his feet for most of the game. The Redskins had two sacks.

Worst injury: Redskins left tackle Trent Williams left the game in the first quarter after his former college teammate, 300-pound Bucs defensive tackle Gerald McCoy appeared to step on his ankle. Williams a sprained knee diagnosed and did not return.

Worst offensive line: With Williams out of the game, the Redskins offensive line struggled mightily. The Bucs had a season-high six sacks, including a couple that forced Kai Forbath to attempt long field goals.

Worst kicks: Forbath missed both his attempts, from 47 and 50 yards.

Worst record: Normally, passing Ben Roethlisberger in the record book is a good thing, but not in this case. Griffin has now been sacked at least three times in an NFL record eight consecutive games. That might be acceptable if he sprinkled in a couple 500-yard, six-touchdown performances from time to time.

Best run: Alfred Morris was one of the few bright spots for the Redskins. He failed to crack the 100 yard barrier yet again, but finished with a season-high 96 yards on 20 carries, including a highlight reel-worthy 13-yard run in the second quarter.

Best or worst Superman: Depending on whether you prefer to see Griffin do exciting things, like leap over a would-be tackler on a 10-yard scramble as he did in the first quarter, or slide to protect his body.

Worst deja vu: Sunday marked the Redskins 10th regular season game against the Buccaneers since 2000, their most against any non-division opponent. d**k Stockton, who has broadcast more Redskins games than any other broadcaster over the past 26 games, was on the call for Fox.

Worst streak: The previous eight games between the Redskins and Bucs had been decided by one score or less.

Best false hope: The Redskins pulled to within 13-7 with 11 seconds leftin the first half when Roy Helu Jr. took a screen pass 30 yards for a touchdown.

Best rookie the Redskins probably shouldve covered: Mike Evans beat Ryan Clark and Bashaud Breeland deep for a third quarter touchdown that extended the Tampa Bay lead to 20-7. It was one of two touchdowns on the day for Evans, who was constantly open. The former Texas A&M star accounted for 207 of Tampa Bays 329 total yards on seven catches.

Worst overthrows: Griffin managed to do what no quarterback has done before, overthrowing DeSean Jackson not once, but twice. Jackson, who was aiming for his third consecutive 100-yard game for the first time in his career, had four catches for 35 yards.

Worst player-fan interaction: This doesnt sound good.

Worst wait: With tighter security in place given all the military personnel in attendance for the Redskins annual Salute to Service, fans waited longer than normal to enter FedEx Field.

Best crowd: The announced attendance was 77,442. Sure, okay.

Scott Allen writes about all things D.C. sports. Follow him on Twitter @ScottSAllen or e-mail him if youve got a tip to share.

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dc-sports-bog/wp/2014/11/16/redskins-buccaneers-best-and-worst-2/

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GAMEDAY BREAKDOWN: A look at Saturday's Kansas-TCU football game

No. 5 Texas Christian Horned Frogs (8-1 overall, 5-1 Big 12) at Kansas Jayhawks (3-6 overall, 1-5 Big 12)

2 p.m. Memorial Stadium Game-time forecast: 31 degrees, 45 percent chance of snow, 10 mph winds out of the southeast TV: FOX Sports 1

Log on to KUsports.com for our live game blog and follow our coverage team on Twitter: @KUSports @mctait @TomKeeganLJW and @bentonasmith

Keys for Kansas

Associated Press

TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin (2) eludes Kansas State defensive end Jordan Willis on Saturday in Fort Worth, Texas. Saturday, Boykin and the Frogs will face Kansas at Memorial Stadium.

1. Keep QB Trevone Boykin in check

The TCU junior leads the Big 12 and ranks fourth nationally at 360 yards of offense per game. He is averaging 299 passing yards and 61 rushing yards per game and is vying to become just the third quarterback since 2009 to average 300 yards passing and 50 yards rushing in a single season. Heisman Trophy winners Robert Griffin III and Johnny Manziel were the other two. The guy truly is gifted with his athletic ability, speed, change of direction, all of that, interim KU coach Clint Bowen said. He has a cannon for an arm. He plays with a spark about him. He has the appearance of one of those guys thats having fun playing the game. The best way to make Boykins day less fun is to try to contain and confuse him while playing sound coverage in the secondary so he has nowhere to go with the ball when the rush closes in on him.

2. Match physicality

The Jayhawks saw it firsthand against Baylor and paid for it. So it remains to be seen if theyll be ready for the physical nature of the TCU offense, which greatly resembles that of the Bears. I tell anyone that will listen, that is the most underrated thing about both of (those) teams, Bowen said. Both of them physically beat you up. People get confused with open style of offense and the tempo and automatically think that this is a gimmick-type offense or a pass-first offense, when in reality theyre a run-first offense and a very physical run team. TCUs line plays very well. Theyre a knock-you-off-the-ball-type mentality. If they can do that the whole game, thats actually their preference.

3. Take advantage of the weather

Its supposed to be cold, and theres a strong chance for snow during todays game. That can only help Kansas, which has practiced in frigid temperatures all week and is more used to those types of conditions than the TCU roster, which includes 79 Texans. Bad weather almost always benefits the underdog because it levels the playing field and eliminates clear advantages in skill, speed and scheme. Instead of relying as heavily on those assets, teams often try to focus more on survival, and the game slows down and becomes a slugfest, which would give KU a much better shot at hanging in there.

Mega Matchup: TCU rush offense vs. KU front seven

The Horned Frogs are 71-4 when rushing for at least 200 yards in a game under Gary Patterson and are averaging 227 yards per game on the ground. TCU features four players who have rushed for 100 yards in a game this season, including junior Aaron Green (5-11, 202) who has topped the 100-yard mark in two of the past three games. B.J. Catalon is the better-known name in the TCU backfield, but Green has been a breakout star this season. He leads the team with 549 yards and an impressive 8.7 yards-per-carry average. Boykin and Trevorris Johnson are the other two TCU ball-carriers who have cracked the 100-yard mark in a game this season, and that kind of depth figures to make linebackers Ben Heeney, Jake Love and Courtney Arnick, along with the entire KU defensive line, even more critical for KUs chances.

Photo by Nick Krug

Kansas receiver Nick Harwell raises his arms as he and his teammates stretch out during practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2014.

5 Questions with Senior WR Nick Harwell:

1 . It has been a long two years, with a lot of losses and one a year of sitting out, but are you glad you came to Kansas?

I am. Oh, yeah. Ive grown to love all these guys. They took me in as if I was family since the first day I got here, and theyve shown me nothing but love and supported me in everything I did.

2 . You hear a lot of guys whove played here say theyre a Jayhawk for life, but does that feeling hold up for a guy whos only been here a couple of years?

Yeah, thats definitely real. This place has taken care of me, and I just feel like Im right at home, and Im really comfortable here so I feel like I am a Jayhawk for life.

3 . What has been the toughest part about being at Kansas and with this program?

Probably still being away from home (Missouri City, Texas). Whether youre 19 hours away or 12 hours like now, being away from home is always the toughest part. But I dont complain too much.

4 . Youve talked about coming here because it was a bigger stage, and now youre about to play the No. 5 team in the country today. Is that feeling everything you thought it would be?

These are just experiences that a lot of football players cant say they got. Not everyone can say, I played the No. 4 team in the nation, I played the No. 5 team in the nation, and for you to play Baylor one week and TCU two weeks later, both Top-10 teams, its just unbelievable. Its that big stage. The lights are on, and it just gives you a chance to show everyone what you can do.

5 . The offense finally got going a little more against Iowa State, throwing up a season-high for yards (514) and points (34). Can this offense be like that the rest of the way?

I feel like we can. We put up 17 points in the first quarter against a Big 12 team, and that just shows, if we play with confidence, we can score points. I feel like we have turned that corner, and this just gives us something to build on the next games and next seasons.

Jayhawk Pulse

Many believed last weeks Iowa State game was the Jayhawks last true chance at a victory this season, and they made it count by dominating the Cyclones. But todays machup with No. 5 TCU, which just this week jumped into the top four in the college football playoff standings, begins a nasty stretch of games to close the season against three of the best teams in the Big 12 Conference. Despite the daunting task ahead, the Jayhawks remain focused on themselves and the little things they believe will help them compete and not the big picture or overwhelming stretch. Right now, its about the first quarter against TCU, getting first downs on offense and continuing to perform at a high level on defense. Thats the approach this team has had since Clint Bowen took over as the interim coach, and it led to the programs third Big 12 victory since the departure of Mark Mangino following the 2009 season. The big question now: How much is left in the tank against significantly better competition?

Tale of the Tape

KU run game vs. TCU run D advantage TCU

KU pass game vs. TCU pass D advantage TCU

TCU run game vs. KU run D advantage TCU

TCU pass game vs. KU pass D advantage TCU

Special teams advantage TCU

Source: http://www2.kusports.com/news/2014/nov/15/gameday-breakdown-look-saturdays-kansas-tcu-footba/

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