The Fullback - completely useless on every team? (1 Viewer)

[Kool-Aid Larry]

Watching NYG and ATL a lot since Gomer and Matt Ryan are my fantasy QBs. Every time these 2 teams trot out a FB and line up in the I formation the result is a max of 3 yards gained. It never works. So in todays NFL what possesses these OC's to still think there is a place in the playbook for this play? I'll guarantee the average gain for both these 2 teams is less than 3 yards. Why would you put your offense in a situation of 3rd and long 3-4 times a game?

I can understand lining up in short yardage with the FB trying to get that 1st down or at the GL trying for a TD. The one that kills me the most is 2nd and 8 at around the 50 and here it comes, 2 WRs, TE lined up in line, I formation. It just screams, hey we are running the ball. I fails every time for ATL.

As owner of Frank Gore, I know his best work is done with the FB standing on the sidelines.

I don't think Denver and NE even have one on the roster. Kuhn (GB) and Collins (NO) are used in mainly the passing game.

The ideal FB to me is a big, every down type back (block, receive) who isn't a good enough at running the ball.

In other words, Trent Richardson.

loool that is awesome because I'm always telling a buddy of mine they should convert him to fb.

but the reality is he has no clue where the run should go, so that'd be kind of a detriment.

maybe linebacker? he's good at finding contact

 

[Spin]

Bruce Miller is incredibly valuable to the 49ers. Love that guy. Beast of a blocker and a helluva receiver. His absence was very noticeable once he went on IR.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

Kyle Juszczyk - led BAL in receiving during the preseason. Went 3/54/1 with a very nice TD on what looked like a traditional TE sluggo route.

Pitta is out, and Kubiak has a history of using FBs occasionally very effectively in certain games. I remember one in particualr where James Casey went off against teh Saints while playing FB for the Texans. Sometimes a thin line there between the TEs and FBs in the league.

 

[MikeApf]

From an FFL perspective, interesting to note that Washington fullback Daryl Young has scored a TD in each of the three games this season. And they are not just goal line plunges, they also involve him in the passing game pretty regularly when he's in there.

The problem is that any given game you'd probably get a goosegg. But three for three is not bad way to start the season...

And from a "real" football perspective, Young is incredibly valuable to the Redskins. Honestly, if they did not have him it would be a significant blow to the team...

ETA: I do understand that original post was about lining it up and plunging in...so apologies in advance if this was a little of a tangent...

 

[JamesTheScot]

I still maintain that one day - one day - some coach will reshape the position like what has been done with the tight end.

The thing I've noticed about really good fullbacks is that when given the chance they produce. They get the TD, they run the ball well, they catch the ball well. The good ones that is. And the fans love them. It will happen.

If it happens, I think it will be more from in an H-Back vein than a traditional fullback.

As defenses get smaller and quicker to account for the expanded passing game, the pendulum can swing too far in that direction. Then a lead blocker and a power running game can be a mismatch.

But it will be implemented by disguising the power rushing play as a pass out of the spread to keep the defense small. So it will once again be hybrids that appear to be one thing (a move TE maybe) that can then motion into a lead blocker role after the defense has subbed in and called its play.

So some guy will come along that is a good pass catcher but also can block well. Then some smart OC will realize that and exploit it. Then the rest of the league will get all hot for the concept, and then kids coming up will start to think about blocking again because a move fullback has gotten on the cover of Madden.

There's rarely anything new in the absolute sense. It's more just a mashing up a bit of this and a bit of that.

 

[JamesTheScot]

Kyle Juszczyk - led BAL in receiving during the preseason. Went 3/54/1 with a very nice TD on what looked like a traditional TE sluggo route.

Pitta is out, and Kubiak has a history of using FBs occasionally very effectively in certain games. I remember one in particualr where James Casey went off against teh Saints while playing FB for the Texans. Sometimes a thin line there between the TEs and FBs in the league.

There you have it. I should have read the entire thread before posting.

 

[MikeApf]

Kyle Juszczyk - led BAL in receiving during the preseason. Went 3/54/1 with a very nice TD on what looked like a traditional TE sluggo route.

Pitta is out, and Kubiak has a history of using FBs occasionally very effectively in certain games. I remember one in particualr where James Casey went off against teh Saints while playing FB for the Texans. Sometimes a thin line there between the TEs and FBs in the league.

There you have it. I should have read the entire thread before posting.

Yeah, I think this "fullback who can block and catch" is really the key. This is part of a general trend that has begun with Tight Ends. It used to be that Tight Ends were these big guys who mostly blocked but who could catch on occassion. They were big and lumbering so Defenses could account for them with a LB or Safety. Now you have these new breed guys like Graham and Gronk who are big but who are so athletic that they cause match up problems. So that could definitely be an advantage for an athletic, pass catching fullback as well. The thing is, if you are putting someone like Sproles back there on third and short, the defense is on guard for a run or pass, whereas if you put the fullback back there, they are expecting run. Now if the Full Back is a dangerous pass catcher and can get past that first wave of defenders he is perhaps a weapon. I'm a Redskins fan and have noticed how Darryl Young often gets open on key plays...I think he may have caught two TD passes this year already. He sneaks out there and you are just not throwing your best defenders on him so while he won't get you 10 catches per game, he may get 1-3 plays that are "difference makers"...

So I agree that the position will likely evolve in interesting ways.

 

[Kool-Aid Larry]

I still maintain that one day - one day - some coach will reshape the position like what has been done with the tight end.

The thing I've noticed about really good fullbacks is that when given the chance they produce. They get the TD, they run the ball well, they catch the ball well. The good ones that is. And the fans love them. It will happen.

If it happens, I think it will be more from in an H-Back vein than a traditional fullback.

As defenses get smaller and quicker to account for the expanded passing game, the pendulum can swing too far in that direction. Then a lead blocker and a power running game can be a mismatch.

But it will be implemented by disguising the power rushing play as a pass out of the spread to keep the defense small. So it will once again be hybrids that appear to be one thing (a move TE maybe) that can then motion into a lead blocker role after the defense has subbed in and called its play.

So some guy will come along that is a good pass catcher but also can block well. Then some smart OC will realize that and exploit it. Then the rest of the league will get all hot for the concept, and then kids coming up will start to think about blocking again because a move fullback has gotten on the cover of Madden.

There's rarely anything new in the absolute sense. It's more just a mashing up a bit of this and a bit of that.

yeah, that's hernandez.

hopefully, he's not influencing kids, though........

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

Broncos’ Andy Janovich’s 28-yard touchdown run vs. Panthers