CCBoy
08-18-2011, 09:30 PM
What They Do: Deuce Offers Dallas Dozens of Options
Posted by Rafael
http://www.cowboysnation.com/2011/08/what-they-do-deuce-offers-dallas-dozens.html
The Cowboys have tried in vain the past decade to replace Daryl Johnston, their All-Pro, all-purpose fullback from the Triplets days. They have drafted a line of fullbacks (Nicky Sualua, Jamar Martin, Deon Anderson, Shaun Chapas) tried undrafted free agents (Lousaka Polite, Chris Gronkowski) converted inside linebackers (Oliver Hoyte, Isaiah Greenhouse) and drafted tight ends to try at the F-back slot (Anthony Fasano, John Phillips).
In the Coryell/Gibbs/Zampese family of offenses, the fullback or F-back has an obvious, significant role in the running game, leading the halfback on inside runs and sometimes running himself. The F-back has an equally significant role in the passing game, arguably bigger than the halfback's. If he's capable, there are many plays in the playbook which line up the F-back in a flankers' spot, in an ''open'' spot in the slot, or on a wing, and send him down the field to challenge linebackers in the deep zones.
Since Johnston retired, Dallas has been able to get half the player. Some, like Hoyte and Polite, could mash but were poor receivers and runners. Others like Fasano, could catch but were far less effective as lead blockers. The best success has come converting tight ends into F-backs. Jason Witten has an all around game can has blown up defensive tackles on inside runs and traps from the F-back spot. Martellus Bennett's emergence as an effective blocker on the line of scrimmage has let Witten feature more as the F. Recently, John Phillips has played Witten lite -- he can block from the backfield and catch, though he lacks Witten's down-the-field receiving chops...
Posted by Rafael
http://www.cowboysnation.com/2011/08/what-they-do-deuce-offers-dallas-dozens.html
The Cowboys have tried in vain the past decade to replace Daryl Johnston, their All-Pro, all-purpose fullback from the Triplets days. They have drafted a line of fullbacks (Nicky Sualua, Jamar Martin, Deon Anderson, Shaun Chapas) tried undrafted free agents (Lousaka Polite, Chris Gronkowski) converted inside linebackers (Oliver Hoyte, Isaiah Greenhouse) and drafted tight ends to try at the F-back slot (Anthony Fasano, John Phillips).
In the Coryell/Gibbs/Zampese family of offenses, the fullback or F-back has an obvious, significant role in the running game, leading the halfback on inside runs and sometimes running himself. The F-back has an equally significant role in the passing game, arguably bigger than the halfback's. If he's capable, there are many plays in the playbook which line up the F-back in a flankers' spot, in an ''open'' spot in the slot, or on a wing, and send him down the field to challenge linebackers in the deep zones.
Since Johnston retired, Dallas has been able to get half the player. Some, like Hoyte and Polite, could mash but were poor receivers and runners. Others like Fasano, could catch but were far less effective as lead blockers. The best success has come converting tight ends into F-backs. Jason Witten has an all around game can has blown up defensive tackles on inside runs and traps from the F-back spot. Martellus Bennett's emergence as an effective blocker on the line of scrimmage has let Witten feature more as the F. Recently, John Phillips has played Witten lite -- he can block from the backfield and catch, though he lacks Witten's down-the-field receiving chops...