The New England Patriots had free agent Montee Ball in for a tryout this week and he could be a potential depth option for the team behind LeGarrette Blount and Dion Lewis. The Pats added some depth to the defensive line with a trade, acquiring Akiem Hicks for tight end Michael Hoomanawanui.
According to Pro Football Talk, the Patriots had multiple players in for tryouts this week, including Ball, Brandon Bostick, Brian Leonhardt, Zac Dysert, Darrin Reaves and Konrad Reuland. Ball previously was released by the Denver Broncos heading into the season and he has not had much interest on the market apart from the Atlanta Falcons.
Ball is just 24 years old and came out of college with high expectations, but he was inconsistent in Denver and also dealt with injuries. Ball rushed for 731 yards in two years for the Broncos and he was pushed out in favor of CJ Anderson and Ronnie Hillman. Last season Ball played in just five games and rushed for 172 yards and one touchdown for Denver.
The Patriots could consider bringing in Ball heading out of the bye week, but the team has been satisfied so far with Dion Lewis and LeGarrette Blount. Blount missed time with a suspension, but he is back, while Lewis has been one of the surprise players for the team this season. The team also has Brandon Bolden and James white, so the Pats may not be too quick to bring in Ball, but they at least wanted to kick the tires on him.
Blount comes in with 82 yards in two games this season and he did the bulk of that against the Jaguars this past weekend. Blount had three touchdowns in the game and added 78 yards rushing. Lewis has 146 yards and two touchdowns this season along with 15 catches for 179 yards and he has been very productive for the Pats over the first few weeks.
The Patriots pulled off a trade on Wednesday, as NFL.com reported that the team traded tight end Michael Hoomanawanui to the Saints for Akiem Hicks. The Pats have not needed Hoomanawanui with Rob Gronkowski and Scott Chandler on the roster and he has not had a reception yet this season. Last year Hoomanawanui had just three catches for 44 yards and over the past two seasons he has had just 15 catches and is more of a blocking tight end. The Saints need some depth with Ben Watson and Josh Hill not playing that well this season.
According to the NFL Network, the Saints made $600,000 in cap space with the move and it comes after the team shaped up Drew Brees' contract to make some more space. Hoomanawanui and Hicks will be free agents after the season. The Patriots also just traded for another defensive player before this deal, getting Jon Bostic from the Bears.
