The Facts: Blount’s decision to sign with the Lions was ultimately a blend of both comfort and fit. The fit being Detroit’s need for a back with his running style. The comfort being the relationships he already had with general manager Bob Quinn and head coach Matt Patricia from their time together in New England. “My relationship with Matt has always been a great one,” Blount told reporters Monday.

Diehards Line: Blount spent three and a half seasons in New England, all of them with Patricia and two and a half with Quinn. In Blount, the Lions have acquired a 245-pound bruiser who should immediately make an impact in the short-yardage and goal-line situations the team particularly struggled in last season. Detroit converted just 50 percent (7-of-14) of their rushing attempts on 3rd & 1 and 4th & 1 last season, which ranked last in the league. But Blount isn’t just a short-yardage back. Just two seasons ago, he rushed for 1,161 yards and 18 touchdowns for the Patriots. He helped the Eagles to a Super Bowl title this past season rushing for 766 yards (4.4 average) while sharing the backfield with Jay Ajayi. Blount should immediately upgrade a Detroit run game that averaged just 76.3 yards per game in 2017. Only 36.4 percent of Detroit’s 363 rushing plays gained at least four yards. Only the New York Jets (36.3) had a lower percentage.