Can Barber add some weight so that...

[Jarv]

He could be a FB ?

He is already listed at 220lbs and hits like a train. If he could add 10 lbs and lead block can you imagine having JJ and Barber in the backfield on a majority of the downs.

Could it be like the Rocky Blier and Franco Harris backfield of the Steelers in the 70's. Both of those backs gained 1,000 yards (in a 14 game season).

Barber would even be more effective in the red zone with a few more pounds and strength, he wasn't scoring based upon his speed anyhow. Defenses couldn't key on one runner, like a fake toss to JJ outside and draw for Barber inside, or a fake dive by Barber and a toss outside to JJ....or Barber just leading JJ off tackle ?

Just an off season thought, like to hear your responses.

 

[carphalen5150]

Not sure why you would want to do that. Hoyte showed flashes at FB last year and Barber is our best tailback on the roster.

 

[Jarv]

Not sure why you would want to do that. Hoyte showed flashes at FB last year and Barber is our best tailback on the roster.

Don't get me wrong, I liked Hoyte's blocking skills and thought when he went down it hurt our running game a lot. Barber would provide more veratility as a runner and a pass reciever, if he could could handle the lead blocking part of it.

 

[SkinsandTerps]

I dont know bro.

I could see Fasano playing the role of lead blocker for Barber, more than I see Barber playing lead blocker for Jones.

Jones is really the wild card, he has no consistency. And it has nothing to do with the line; sometimes he just doesnt read well or follow his blocks.

 

[carphalen5150]

Don't get me wrong, I liked Hoyte's blocking skills and thought when he went down it hurt our running game a lot. Barber would provide more veratility as a runner and a pass reciever, if he could could handle the lead blocking part of it.

I have never been a fan of FB runs. In the traditional I they are close to the line and the runs are more "trick" runs than anything else. Now if it is the pro set split backfield, then you can do more things, but if we were in that formation I think teams would be keying on Barber.

Could Barber play FB? Sure, but I would sure hate to waste our best RB there.

 

[Hostile]

You can play FB at 220. I doubt we see much of him there or a split backfield though.

 

[Doomsday101]

I would like to see Hoyte continue in the roll of FB. When he was given a chance to play he did some real nice things out there as a lead blocker.

 

[joseephuss]

You can play FB at 220. I doubt we see much of him there or a split backfield though.

Richie Anderson was around 225 lbs. If that is the type of fullback that Garrett and Phillips want to employ, then Barber could probably do some similar things. I think he will be lacking as a lead blocker just like Anderson.

Hoyte was a decent lead blocker. Maybe he will learn some new things this off season. He is new to the position and raw. The full back does not need to run the ball to help the offense, but they do need to be able to catch the ball.

 

[Hoofbite]

Im not sure why anyone would even want to do that. Barber is fine the way he is and asking him to add some weight so he can take more punishment being a battering ram just doesn't make sense.

 

[Jarv]

Richie Anderson was around 225 lbs. If that is the type of fullback that Garrett and Phillips want to employ, then Barber could probably do some similar things. I think he will be lacking as a lead blocker just like Anderson.

Hoyte was a decent lead blocker. Maybe he will learn some new things this off season. He is new to the position and raw. The full back does not need to run the ball to help the offense, but they do need to be able to catch the ball.

Don't get me wrong, with a FB IMHO the main ingrediant is lead blocking and Hoyte did a good job of that last year. Richie Anderson was not good enough at that in my opinion.

My whole theory is based upon Barber becoming a good lead blocker, if that can't happen, well then nevermind this whole thread...lol.

I just think that I'd rather have both of those guys in the game at the same time so the D can't key on just one of them. More weapons/options on the field at the same time.

Barber could be a very versitile back, playing FB and HB if this fits. Split backs have been discussed but I generally prefer and lead blocker in the running game, just my style.

 

[alancdc]

Im not sure why anyone would even want to do that. Barber is fine the way he is and asking him to add some weight so he can take more punishment being a battering ram just doesn't make sense.

Agree. Don't understand this. He is way too valuable than just a fullback. When I htink of a fullback I think of a Moose or Strong that will bust out and get you 6 on a breakaway run. MBIII is a far better RB than that.

 

[Ren]

I don't know why anyone would want to move our best HB to FB

 

[Yeagermeister]

I wish Wade could bring Lorenzo Neal with him.

 

[Apollo Creed]

I wish Wade could bring Lorenzo Neal with him.

Now that would be fantastic.

 

[StanleySpadowski]

Hoyte was a terrible, terrible FB and I doubt he makes the roster without Parcells fussing over his pet project.


I'd leave Barber alone and look to the draft for a FB. If you're looking for a guy who adds more than just a battering ram, one guy that's really intriguing to me is Tony Hunt. His lack of speed may drop him to the 3rd round but that wouldn't matter much as a FB plus he has the size, 239 at the senior bowl with room to add more, and the mentality, he really seems to like contact.

 

[joseephuss]

There is going to be a shortage of really good blocking full backs in a couple of years. Lorenzo Neal(36), Tony Richardson(35) and Mack Strong(34) will be retiring pretty soon.

 

[dallasfaniac]

Hoyte was a terrible, terrible FB and I doubt he makes the roster without Parcells fussing over his pet project.

Agreed. Rewatching the games since we were knocked out I noticed that Hoyte was terrible. He would block the wrong man allowing the RB to be hit in the backfield, whiff on his blocks/take poor angles or just get over powered. As bad as Lousaka was, he at least looked like a FB; Hoyte often looked like he was trying to wrap up and make the tackle as opposed to making the hit and finding someone else to level.

 

[Hostile]

I wish Wade could bring Lorenzo Neal with him.

I'd have an accident.

 

[carphalen5150]

There is going to be a shortage of really good blocking full backs in a couple of years. Lorenzo Neal(36), Tony Richardson(35) and Mack Strong(34) will be retiring pretty soon.

It is a dying position with more teams utiliting the H-back, 3 WR, 2 TE sets.

 

[CATCH17]

Fullback is just not that important of a position.

Its probably the least important position in football.

If you wanted to install a few packages with Barber at fullback that would be fine but doing it on a consistent basis wouldn't be good for the offense just for the simple fact Barber doesnt strike me as a guy who would be a good lead blocker.

Plus I saw Hoyte light some people up last year and I think hes got a future at that spot.