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  6. article_body => "<p>FOXBORO -- On both occasions that LeGarrette Blount plunged into the end zone on Christmas Eve against the Jets, he did so by following the lead of James Develin. On both occasions, the 6-foot-3, 255-pound fullback&nbsp;dished out jarring hits to erase linebacker David Harris&nbsp;from the play,&nbsp;allowing Blount to glide into the end zone.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>\"That's my guy, man,\" Blount said of Develin after the game. \"I love him. I love him to death . . .&nbsp;I feel like [fullbacks] are&nbsp;not getting as much recognition or publicity as they should, especially&nbsp;with the job that they do, which is probably one of the toughest jobs for anybody to do on the offense: To go in there and blow somebody up every time you're in the game. I feel like he doesn't get the recognition that he deserves, but he definitely deserves a lot of the recognition that I give him.\"&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Develin has garnered more attention of late due in part to the fact that he's been on the field more than ever before. One year after suffering a broken leg that ended his season before it started, Develin has played in all 15 regular-season games for the Patriots, and in the last two games he's seen a career-high 43 and 40 snaps, respectively.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Since Rob Gronkowski was ruled inactive for Week 11 against the Niners, eventually hitting injured reserve with a back issue, Develin has played at least 25 snaps every week. He's played in 31.7 percent of the team's offensive snaps thus far this season, and is in line to break the 30 percent mark for the first time in his career.<\/p>\n<p>Patriots coach Bill Belichick said on Wednesday that he likes the way Develin has responded to his uptick in playing time&nbsp;as a key element to the team's&nbsp;punishing power running game.<\/p>\n<p>\"He loves to play,\" Belichick said. \"Yeah, he\u2019s happy to go in there. He\u2019s done a good job for us on the punt team, the kickoff return team, he\u2019s played for us in the kicking game, a very dependable player. James&nbsp;is strong. He\u2019s not big like a lineman, but he\u2019s got very good playing strength for his size. I\u2019d say he\u2019s built to last.<\/p>\n<p>\"He\u2019s got a strong body and he can take contact and he can give it out, too. He\u2019s tough. He\u2019s got a good mentality. He likes contact. He seeks it out, but he\u2019s changed up his techniques and as he\u2019s played more guys have kind of played him differently. There are some things he\u2019s had to deal with this year that maybe he didn\u2019t have to deal with \u2013 he didn\u2019t play too much last year \u2013 but two years ago from a technique standpoint. He\u2019s adjusted and adapted to that. He\u2019s done a good job.\"<\/p>\n"
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Patriots

Patriots

FOXBORO -- On both occasions that LeGarrette Blount plunged into the end zone on Christmas Eve against the Jets, he did so by following the lead of James Develin. On both occasions, the 6-foot-3, 255-pound fullback dished out jarring hits to erase linebacker David Harris from the play, allowing Blount to glide into the end zone. 

"That's my guy, man," Blount said of Develin after the game. "I love him. I love him to death . . . I feel like [fullbacks] are not getting as much recognition or publicity as they should, especially with the job that they do, which is probably one of the toughest jobs for anybody to do on the offense: To go in there and blow somebody up every time you're in the game. I feel like he doesn't get the recognition that he deserves, but he definitely deserves a lot of the recognition that I give him." 

Develin has garnered more attention of late due in part to the fact that he's been on the field more than ever before. One year after suffering a broken leg that ended his season before it started, Develin has played in all 15 regular-season games for the Patriots, and in the last two games he's seen a career-high 43 and 40 snaps, respectively. 

Since Rob Gronkowski was ruled inactive for Week 11 against the Niners, eventually hitting injured reserve with a back issue, Develin has played at least 25 snaps every week. He's played in 31.7 percent of the team's offensive snaps thus far this season, and is in line to break the 30 percent mark for the first time in his career.

 

Patriots coach Bill Belichick said on Wednesday that he likes the way Develin has responded to his uptick in playing time as a key element to the team's punishing power running game.

"He loves to play," Belichick said. "Yeah, he’s happy to go in there. He’s done a good job for us on the punt team, the kickoff return team, he’s played for us in the kicking game, a very dependable player. James is strong. He’s not big like a lineman, but he’s got very good playing strength for his size. I’d say he’s built to last.

"He’s got a strong body and he can take contact and he can give it out, too. He’s tough. He’s got a good mentality. He likes contact. He seeks it out, but he’s changed up his techniques and as he’s played more guys have kind of played him differently. There are some things he’s had to deal with this year that maybe he didn’t have to deal with – he didn’t play too much last year – but two years ago from a technique standpoint. He’s adjusted and adapted to that. He’s done a good job."