Dear Coach,
Some people call me and enigma, some refer to me as a cancer in the clubhouse, while still others count me as a time bomb that could go off without warning - but to be honest, I really don't know what I am except a running back.
I understand where the labels come from, however.
I never really took academics seriously, which cost me scholarship offers coming out of high school despite rushing for 1000 yards in each of my three seasons as a starter. I ended up having to go to a Junior College to improve my academic standards to qualify for Division I colleges - proving my worth on the football field as well, gaining 1000 yards in each of my two seasons as the bell cow and earning my status of the top Juco running back in the nation.Heavily recruited by a number of big-time college programs, I went to Oregon with a promise that I would be given all of the carries I could handle - but when I instead had to split carries, my attitude and performances suffered - even though I ran for 1000 yards - and then I was suspended twice by then coach Mike Billoti for not attending workouts or class.
Then your buddy Chip Kelly took over and reinstated me, but then suspended me again after punching out that Hout fella after our game at Boise State - it took a while but Chip allowed me back on the team, but my college career was basically over, and I was never a factor again.
Going undrafted, I ultimately ended up on Tampa Bay's roster and became the lead back, rushing for almost 1800 yards in my first two seasons with the Buccaneers, but again became indifferent when the Bucs drafted Doug Martin, forcing me to split carries once again - and after a dismal 2012 Season where my attitude found me on the bench, the Bucs traded me here.
You know all of this, but I have to know why things are ok here. Why am I ok with splitting carries when I never was before? Why do you and I get along when I've had trouble with almost every coach I've played for?
People that are enigmatic, selfish and troublemakers don't do well here, yet you traded for me. Even after I left for Pittsburgh with the same promises that I got from the coaches at Oregon, got busted with pot and then pulled the ultimate sign of disrespect to that organization by walking off the field before the game was over, you gladly brought me back.
I'm still splitting carries, but I'm ok with that here. Is it because you are first coach that never lied to me, the first coach who actually cared enough to look me in the eye and tell me exactly how things are, and the first coach who didn't care what other people said about me?
I know my role and I accept it, because there is no grey area, no promises and no animosity or talk of the past - all you ask is for players to do their job, and I'm not the first wayward son who found a home here, nor the first player who would run through a brick wall for you - because you respect your players enough to be honest with them, and that's all I really needed.
Sincerely,
Blount
Resume'
Education:
East Mississippi Community College
University of Oregon
Work Experience:
2010 - Tennessee Titans (PS)
2010 -2012 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
426 carries, 1939 yards (4.6 avg.), 13 touchdowns
21 receptions, 164 yards (7.8 avg.)
2013, 2014 - New England Patriots
Regular season 213 carries, 1053 yards (4.9 avg.), 10 touchdowns
6 receptions, 59 yards (9.3 avg.)
17 kick returns, 494 yards (29.1 avg.)
Playoffs 76 carries, 361 yards (4.8 avg.) 7 touchdowns
2014 - Pittsburgh Steelers
65 carries, 266 yards (4.1 avg.) 2 touchdowns
6 receptions, 36 yards (6.0 avg.)
Awards:
2014 - Super Bowl Champion
2014 - New England Patriots' career playoff rushing touchdown leader
2007 - Junior College All-American
Personal Information:
Born - December 5, 1986 at Madison, Florida
Height - 6' 0"
Weight - 250
Website:
Good story!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mr. Berry!
Delete