Buccaneers ship Blount to Patriots

Running back LeGarrette Blount was traded to the New England Patriots for return specialist Jeffery Demps and a seventh-round pick.

Blount was a 1,000-yard rusher as an undrafted rookie in 2011, but fell out of favor with the Buccaneers, who drafted Doug Martin in the first round last April.

Demps wasn't a factor with the Patriots as a rookie last season. He was signed in August but placed on injured reserve before he was activated.

Demps ran a 4.26 40 in workouts before the Scouting Combine and was an alternate in the 4x400 relay for the U.S. Olympic team in London last summer. He plans to continue running track and sought the approval of Buccaneers general manager Mark Dominik before the swap was completed.

At Florida, Demps, 5-7, 170, had 24 career touchdowns as a running back and slot receiver.

Blount is bigger and more powerful than the multiple running backs on the Patriots' roster -- Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen, Brandon Bolden and Leon Washington -- and gives New England a potential two-down, between-the-tackles option.