TAMPA, Fla. – Running back LeGarrette Blount is leaving the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Rumored as a trade possibility recently, Blount, a one-time starter, was traded to the New England Patriots for a seventh-round pick and the rights to running back Jeff Demps on Saturday.
“We’ve talked to Jeff a little bit,” Tampa Bay general manager Mark Dominik said. “We’re just taking the rights to see what happens. … The reason was not Jeff Demps. Jeff Demps was part of it but not the reason. We were going to do LeGarrette Blount for a seventh-round pick, but we asked for the rights to Jeff Demps.”
The Bucs sent the pick they received from the Patriots (No. 229), along with their sixth-round pick (No. 196), to the Vikings to take former Miami running back Mike James with the No. 189 pick.
Blount, an Oregon product, rushed for 1,939 yards in three seasons with the Bucs. He had a career-high 1,007 yards with six touchdowns in 2010, his rookie year. He saw limited action last season, only 41 carries for 151 yards with two touchdowns, after rookie Doug Martin became Tampa Bay’s choice at the position.
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