NFC North Notes: Blount, Lions, Rudock
When LeGarette Blount starts the 2018 season with the Lions, it will be his third team in as many years. Blount has won the past two Super Bowls, first with the Patriots then with the Eagles. Blount rushed 766 yards and two touchdowns last season in Philadelphia, but wasn’t offered a contract by the team after the season.
When asked if he carried a grudge due to the snub, Blount replied “I’m past that”, according to Matt Lombardo of NJ.com. Blount emphasized that he’s looking forward to playing for the Lions and coach Matt Patricia, saying “fortunately, it worked out for me to wind up here with somebody that I’m familiar with, and like a lot.” Although the move means Blount is unlikely to win a third straight Super Bowl, it doesn’t sound like he’s losing too much sleep over the divorce.
Here’s more from the NFC North:
- Also in Detroit, the battle to be Matthew Stafford‘s backup is heating up. Earlier this offseason, 2016 sixth-rounder Jake Rudock was in the lead, but now veteran Matt Cassel is “the man to beat” writes Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. Ruddock apparently struggled in joint practices with the Giants and could lose his roster spot to the journeyman Cassel.
- Speaking of NFC North backup quarterback battles, there’s one raging in Green Bay. Although most have assumed the competition is between bigger names DeShone Kizer and Brett Hundley, undrafted rookie free agent Tim Boyle is in the race, according to Ryan Wood of PackersNews.com. It would still be shocking, but it would be a great story if Boyle were able to come out on top.
- In case you missed it, Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr wants to stay in Minnesota longterm, despite the team prioritizing other players’ extensions over his.
Packers Sign 14 UDFAs
The Packers have officially signed 14 undrafted free agents in advance of their rookie minicamp. Here’s the full rundown:
- Jacob Alsadek, OL (Arizona)
- Parris Bennett, LB (Syracuse)
- Tim Boyle, QB (Eastern Kentucky)
- Austin Davis, C (Duke)
- Raven Greene, S (James Madison)
- Naashon Hughes, LB (Texas)
- C.J. Johnson, LB (East Texas)
- Tyler Lancaster, DT (Northwestern)
- Alex Light, OL (Richmond)
- Kyle Meadows, OT (Kentucky)
- Filipo Mokofisi, DT (Utah)
- Marcus Porter, LB (Fairmont State)
- Kevin Rader, TE (Youngstown State)
- Conor Sheehy, DE (Wisconsin)
Boyle began his collegiate career at UConn and started for the Huskies as a true freshman. Then, thanks to injuries and coaching changes, Boyle wound up on the bench for his sophomore and junior seasons. For his final NCAA year, he transferred to Eastern Kentucky and put himself on the NFL radar.
“It’s truly a dream come true,” Boyle said of signing with the Packers (via the team website). “I’ve been thinking about this moment pretty much the whole time I’ve been playing football. It’s been a long journey. A lot of ups and downs, but I’m finally here and it’s up to me now to make the most out of my opportunity.”
The Packers have Brett Hundley and DeShone Kizer behind Aaron Rodgers on the depth chart, but they did not select a QB in the draft, so Boyle may have a chance at sticking on the roster if he impresses this offseason. Hundley went 3-6 as a starter last year in Rodgers’ absence last year and coach Mike McCarthy was critical of his performance – as well as the staff’s job in preparing Hundley – when asked about the backup in February.
“Brett Hundley wasn’t ready for what he needed to be ready for,” the coach said (via ESPN.com’s Rob Demovsky). “That’s something that we have to learn from, and that stings.”