Do we need to draft a FB this year.

[Tyler.Durden]

Having not replaced Heath Evans from last season do we do it this year.

An extra blocker from the backfield provides more protection for tom.

I think Sammy played some FB this year, didn't he?

 

[TriplecHamp]

BJGE was great at FB against the Texans, Id like to see him take the bulk at fullback.

 

[jays52]

Yes, yes, for the love of all that is holy, yes!

They were putting marginally powerful tailbacks in that position and reaped significant reward. This team desperately needs a face-mask splitting, helmet cracking, 21 inch neck having brickeater.

 

[BillBelichickFan79]

Yeah I'd love for us to have a guy like Peyton Hillis. Big power runner, good blocker, can play on ST, can catch some balls. It would definitely be great to have a guy like that on 3rd and 2 who can pick up a yard or 2 and maybe make it easier to get the 4th down while keeping the clock running (cough Indy game cough) or at the end of the half on a 4th down inside the 10 (cough Miami game cough).

Green Ellis was okay but I'd prefer a true FB.

 

[Mossed]

Funny how the saints stole D.Thomas and Evans from us who both did well at fb

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Funny how the saints stole D.Thomas and Evans from us who both did well at fb

No, the Saints stole Evans. BB basically gave Thomas away for no reason that I can fathom.

[And I may risk Deus' wrath, but I find the Thomas trade more inexplicable than the Seymour trade.]

 

[the wrothbroughterer]

I think the position is obsolete. If you're looking for extra blocking on run plyas, why not use a lineman? They're bigger, in small spaces the difference in speed is neglibile, and they are better blockers. Obviously, its a sign to the defense that you're planning on putting the ball on the ground, but then again many formations that do use a FB aren't geared towards the passing game as it is.

A power runner is a different story on the other hand. I can't remember off hand, but I think Football Outsiders had the Patriots as one of the weaker teams in short yardage situations. A Heath Evans type that can bowl over a player or two and fall forward 2 yards is something we could definitely use.

 

[jays52]

I think the position is obsolete. If you're looking for extra blocking on run plyas, why not use a lineman? They're bigger, in small spaces the difference in speed is neglibile, and they are better blockers. Obviously, its a sign to the defense that you're planning on putting the ball on the ground, but then again many formations that do use a FB aren't geared towards the passing game as it is.

This could not be more inaccurate. The anti-fullback spread trend was three years ago. More physical defenses are taking advantage of it, and more importantly are designing plays to exploit the non-use the use of an online blocker. Further, olinemen are not fast enough to play the position. Any guard would give their left nut to be a fullback. There is a reason they are not. The true fullback is about to experience a resurgance in the NFL.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

This could not be more inaccurate. The anti-fullback spread trend was three years ago. More physical defenses are taking advantage of it, and more importantly are designing plays to exploit the non-use the use of an online blocker. Further, olinemen are not fast enough to play the position. Any guard would give their left nut to be a fullback. There is a reason they are not. The true fullback is about to experience a resurgance in the NFL.

*cough* Tebow *cough*

 

[Snake Eyes]

*cough* Tebow *cough*

Agreed, I also wonder if Toby Gerhart would be better suited to being a fullback at the NFL level.

 

[the wrothbroughterer]

This could not be more inaccurate. The anti-fullback spread trend was three years ago. More physical defenses are taking advantage of it, and more importantly are designing plays to exploit the non-use the use of an online blocker. Further, olinemen are not fast enough to play the position. Any guard would give their left nut to be a fullback. There is a reason they are not. The true fullback is about to experience a resurgance in the NFL.

Based on what? There are maybe a handful left in the NFL and the last good one retired a few years ago. There are maybe a handful of offenses that still utilize a true FB and those that do don't feature it with a majority of their offensive plays.

A lineman is definitely not fast enough to run with the ball or make a catch out in the flat(unless you are going for some seriously risky misdirection), but he is definitely fast enough to get to any spot between the tackles and seal a gap, otherwise you would never see lineman pull from the backside and make blocks on the end, nor would you see them pull out on screens.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

*cough* Tebow *cough*

Tebow shows a lot of his numbers when he runs. Unless he learns the art of the forward lean, he might not make it out of camp in one piece if he plays FB.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Agreed, I also wonder if Toby Gerhart would be better suited to being a fullback at the NFL level.

He's a runner not a lead blocker. However I would love for us to draft this kid if he runs well and his knee is medically cleared.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Yes, yes, for the love of all that is holy, yes!

They were putting marginally powerful tailbacks in that position and reaped significant reward. This team desperately needs a face-mask splitting, helmet cracking, 21 inch neck having brickeater.

I agree 100%. It would help if this FB could also catch a pass or two out in the flats and then hopefully run over some safeties.

 

[captain stone]

Having not replaced Heath Evans from last season, do we do it this year?

An extra blocker from the backfield provides more protection for Tom.

I think Sammy played some FB this year, didn't he?

You're right, Sammy did play some FB, as he has done throughout his career. He's not too bad at it; in fact, I would've liked to see more 2-back formations with Sammy as FB.

(My dream short-yardage formation is: Brady under Center, Sammy behind him, and LaMa & Faulk split behind Sammy; 2 TEs at either side of the Tackles. Perfectly balanced, and almost impossible to stop.)

The chances of Bill drafting a FB are, unfortunately, "less than zero." But there is no excuse for not singing UDFAs or the occaisional vet FA. I would even have dropped BJGE and signed Kyle Eckel after Philly released him earlier in the season.

Not only would a Lorenzo Neal-type of ass-kicking FB provide Brady with more protection, but he would also provide the offense with an Attitude that has been missing since Corey Dillon retired. This season, that Attitude could've said to the Dolts: We're shoving this ball down your throats on 3rd/2, and there's nothing you ***gots can do about it. Rinse & repeat vs. the Doofins at the end of the 1st half.

Memo to Bill: Stop using OLmen (& DLmen) as lead blockers, and start using Professional FBs instead.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

You're right, Sammy did play some FB, as he has done throughout his career. He's not too bad at it; in fact, I would've liked to see more 2-back formations with Sammy as FB.

(My dream short-yardage formation is: Brady under Center, Sammy behind him, and LaMa & Faulk split behind Sammy; 2 TEs at either side of the Tackles. Perfectly balanced, and almost impossible to stop.)

The chances of Bill drafting a FB are, unfortunately, "less than zero." But there is no excuse for not singing UDFAs or the occaisional vet FA. I would even have dropped BJGE and signed Kyle Eckel after Philly released him earlier in the season.

Not only would a Lorenzo Neal-type of ass-kicking FB provide Brady with more protection, but he would also provide the offense with an Attitude that has been missing since Corey Dillon retired. This season, that Attitude could've said to the Dolts: We're shoving this ball down your throats on 3rd/2, and there's nothing you ***gots can do about it. Rinse & repeat vs. the Doofins at the end of the 1st half.

Memo to Bill: Stop using OLmen (& DLmen) as lead blockers, and start using Professional FBs instead.

Nick Saban has used Cody at FB at Alabama. Alabama scored a TD running behind Cody in the Florida or Texas game. Talk about attitude! I would love to see the Pats use Cody at FB on short yardage situations.

 

[mgteich]

We can sign a fullback for short money if Belichick has any interest; ditto for a short yardage specialist. This player would replace Green-Ellis on the roster. There is no reason to believe that it is appropriate to use a draft choice for this purpose.

The reality is that Belichick sees no need for a fullback, choosing to use an offensive lineman or one of our halfbacks for the limited number of reps where a fullback is needed.

Belichick doesn't even see the need for a 3rd TE or H-back, again using offensive linemen for this role.

It is all about the active roster. Belichick chooses not to use such a spot for a FB or a 3rd TE, using the roster spot(s) for special teamers.

 

[captain stone]

And Bill's policy towards FBs has been to his - and our - detriment.

 

[Snake Eyes]

And Bill's policy towards FBs has been to his - and our - detriment.

I wonder if BB is looking for more a fullback/TE hybrid.

 

[TriplecHamp]

He's a runner not a lead blocker. However I would love for us to draft this kid if he runs well and his knee is medically cleared.

Blount>Gerhart