Fullback James Hanna

[gimmesix]

Considering we have not drafted a fullback or signed one in free agency and that Gavin Escobar might start the season on PUP, I'm looking at Hanna and his three-year, $9 million deal and thinking that Dallas signed him to that deal because it plans to have him on the field quite a bit as the second tight end (fullback).

I'm more of a traditionalist who likes those squatty fullbacks who can get under linebackers and root them out, but Hanna has developed into a decent blocker and offers a decent receiving target.

How do you guys feel about him being the lead blocker for Elliott?

 

[BAT]

Considering we have not drafted a fullback or signed one in free agency and that Gavin Escobar might start the season on PUP, I'm looking at Hanna and his three-year, $9 million deal and thinking that Dallas signed him to that deal because it plans to have him on the field quite a bit as the second tight end (fullback).

I'm more of a traditionalist who likes those squatty fullbacks who can get under linebackers and root them out, but Hanna has developed into a decent blocker and offers a decent receiving target.

How do you guys feel about him being the lead blocker for Elliott?

Elliott is so good he will lead block for himself.

But seriously, Hanna could be an option, so could Rod Smith. Or Clutts (or another vet) could be signed. Would have liked to see Cowboys bring in a nasty lead blocking SOB at FB too, that position doesn't really cost much.

 

[DenCWBY]

Considering we have not drafted a fullback or signed one in free agency and that Gavin Escobar might start the season on PUP, I'm looking at Hanna and his three-year, $9 million deal and thinking that Dallas signed him to that deal because it plans to have him on the field quite a bit as the second tight end (fullback).

I'm more of a traditionalist who likes those squatty fullbacks who can get under linebackers and root them out, but Hanna has developed into a decent blocker and offers a decent receiving target.

How do you guys feel about him being the lead blocker for Elliott?

Good questions. Will be interesting to see what kind of alignment and formations they come with. If Hanna is playing the role, he better beef up this off season.

 

[Dcowboy84]

I think this years' training camp holds a lot of intrigue in the backfield considering our numbers there and what direction we could go in terms of a possible FB. with Dunbar likely being on PUP and the battle b/w DMC and Morris and possible young guys supplanting them in Rod Smith or D Jackson...and the info coming out about Rod Smith being given some FB looks....

i think if none of those options pan out we could very likely see one of our TEs motioning into the backfield as a lead blocker and Hanna has done that in the past. i'd be curious what(if anything) Swaim could do in that regard as well.

for me it makes watching our running backs this offseason and training camp especially exciting and that's not even counting wanting to see what Zeke can do.

 

[Jarv]

I've been posting for a few weeks now about moving Morris to FB...Although Rod Smith also isn't a bad idea. I like Hanna as a TE, just wished we used him more in the passing game. Probably our fastest TE.

 

[gimmesix]

Elliott is so good he will lead block for himself.

But seriously, Hanna could be an option, so could Rod Smith. Or Clutts (or another vet) could be signed. Would have liked to see Cowboys bring in a nasty lead blocking SOB at FB too, that position doesn't really cost much.

Not sure Smith is big enough to be a lead blocker unless he's bulked up this offseason.

 

[JohnsKey19]

He's the best in-line blocking TE on the team. It wouldn't make sense to remove him from that role. He's too valuable at the POA on the edges blocking DEs and OLBs.

 

[RJ_MacReady]

.and the info coming out about Rod Smith being given some FB looks....

On the Cowboys Break, they were saying that the Cowboys are toying with the idea of converting LB Keith Smith to FB, as well. I don't know how natural of a transition it will be (maybe he played RB/FB somewhere in his youth?), but maybe their line of thinking is that Keith is a very good ST coverage player, 3-string LB in a pinch and if they can get some FB play out him (Really...how many snaps did Clutts play each game?), why not?

 

[cowboyschmps3]

Considering we have not drafted a fullback or signed one in free agency and that Gavin Escobar might start the season on PUP, I'm looking at Hanna and his three-year, $9 million deal and thinking that Dallas signed him to that deal because it plans to have him on the field quite a bit as the second tight end (fullback).

I'm more of a traditionalist who likes those squatty fullbacks who can get under linebackers and root them out, but Hanna has developed into a decent blocker and offers a decent receiving target.

How do you guys feel about him being the lead blocker for Elliott?

I'm OK with this cause the play action oases out of the backfield with Hanna's speed on a backer I'll take the first.

 

[HellCrowe]

Every year we get a few FBs to camp. Didn't notice if we brought in any udfagents.

 

[gimmesix]

Every year we get a few FBs to camp. Didn't notice if we brought in any udfagents.

None so far.

 

[RJ_MacReady]

Plot twist: They convert Morris to FB. Now that would be awesome! He's built like one and it is a viable way to allow us carrying, McFadden and another RB on the roster. As it is, I don't think they are going with 4 RBs on the roster.

 

[texbumthelife]

One of the main caveats of zone blocking schemes is not using a fullback, not to mention this would take an already paper thin TE position and make it even thinner.

Hannah's value is as a receiving TE. If they can find a way to use him in that role, they need to move on.

 

[gimmesix]

He's the best in-line blocking TE on the team. It wouldn't make sense to remove him from that role. He's too valuable at the POA on the edges blocking DEs and OLBs.

Wouldn't be moving him. He'd still play tight end, but essentially be our fullback, motioning into the backfield at times, especially in short yardage. Witten also will motion into the backfield at times.

 

[gimmesix]

One of the main caveats of zone blocking schemes is not using a fullback, not to mention this would take an already paper thin TE position and make it even thinner.

Hannah's value is as a receiving TE. If they can find a way to use him in that role, they need to move on.

Both Hanna and Witten would play in-line TE and motion into the backfield some. I did not mean that Hanna will literally become a full-time fullback, only that he'll absorb those responsibilities.

 

[gimmesix]

On the Cowboys Break, they were saying that the Cowboys are toying with the idea of converting LB Keith Smith to FB, as well. I don't know how natural of a transition it will be (maybe he played RB/FB somewhere in his youth?), but maybe their line of thinking is that Keith is a very good ST coverage player, 3-string LB in a pinch and if they can get some FB play out him (Really...how many snaps did Clutts play each game?), why not?

Based on the Smith and Smith information in your and Dcowboys' posts, maybe this is the thinking. Neither are real big guys, though, both around 230 (unless they've put on weight).

It also appears that our UDFA tight end Austin Traylor could be a fullback option.

I still believe, though, if we don't show an interest in drafting a true fullback that we're going to rely on the two-tight end set, with Hanna basically replacing the fullback role.

 

[texbumthelife]

Both Hanna and Witten would play in-line TE and motion into the backfield some. I did not mean that Hanna will literally become a full-time fullback, only that he'll absorb those responsibilities.

I'd rather just stick to the zone blocking one back, particularly when Zeke is in the game as that's what he is used to. The only time this team has been successful with a FB under Garrett is a handful of plays with Murray, who preferred a lead blocker.

 

[Bullflop]

Impact-blocking tight ends who can also catch and run routes are steadily becoming the rarest of rare commodities in the NFL. The 2016 draft was especially weak in that regard, which aptly explains Dallas' reluctance to invest a higher draft pick for that position. As it is, we'll be obliged to see what Rico Gathers is eventually capable of producing for us. If his learning abilities vaguely approach his measurables, we'll be blessed.

 

[NoLuv4Jerry]

I think Hanna "wards" people off.....turns them....shields them type of blocker. I do not see him as someone who moves people out of a hole.

 

[Wolfpack]

He's too tall to block well inside as the OP noted.