HB Julius Jones, FB Marion Barber

[wsmith_1972]

I know we have tried this in the Broncos game but this should be the permanent 2 back set.

Both can block very well....which will free Witten to run his routes.

Both can run and defenses will have more problems determining who will get the ball.

Make Polite inactive and carry 5 receivers, 3 TEs and 3 RB.

This could improve pass blocking, the passing game, and the running game.

The only time we need a FB is on short yardage...that will be handled by Spears.

We could run more trick plays out of this set too.

 

[fortdick]

Is MB3 big enough to play fullback? Listed at 6'0" and 212 lbs. Doesn't seem so.

 

[theogt]

Both can block very well....which will free Witten to run his routes.

You're absolutely right. Except for the 'both' part.

 

[sporadic]

I would think that would put a ton of pressure of the LB's with that much speed in the backfield...as far as size goes, we ran the ball pretty well with Anderson as the FB last year and he was not any more powerful than MBIII.

 

[mr.jameswoods]

This never works. Maybe 20 years ago this would have worked when a fullback was asked to run more. But today, a fullback is just a blocker so you need someone who specializes only in that.

 

[wsmith_1972]

What we do now is run a one back set and send the TE to block.

Teams know when a run is coming...it's too obvious.

With a two back set, we could do a lot more and not give away whether a play is a run or a pass.

 

[proline]

Barber blocks the blitz well, but he is not going to open up any holes through the line.

 

[wsmith_1972]

Polite doesn't open holes either but...

He doesn't need to open up holes....you could send him in the opposite direction of a play and he will take 2-3 defenders with him.

 

[Big Country]

ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!

A FB is a 250 lb sledgehammer nowadays...

We already have a FB anyway...

OL blocking needs to improve overall anyway before we start worrying about this.

 

[Verdict]

This never works. Maybe 20 years ago this would have worked when a fullback was asked to run more. But today, a fullback is just a blocker so you need someone who specializes only in that.

I'm not knocking your point, but it would seem Parcells is of a different mindset. He cut Jamar Martin a true blocking fullback, presumably because he was not versatile enough. I think it kinda backfired on Parcells a bit though on this single issue as there is a bit of truth to the old saying "Jack of all trades, master of none". I think Martin might have been a real help on those short goalline runs.

 

[JDSmith]

How big was Richie Anderson? He was the type of FB that Parcells wants. I'd say that Barber could handle that job. Any talk of a monster blocking FB doesn't take into account Parcells' preferences.

 

[AmericasTeam31]

I like the idea. If Barber can block blitzing LBs running full speed ahead, there is no reason he can't be a lead blocker in the running game. No matter what argument is made you can't overcome that point. Even trying to take out a safety at full speed takes alot of strength. He looks the part, he's alot bigger than you think...

 

[Hiero]

JJ cannot block, so both of them cannot block. Barber on the other hand is a superb pass blocker, I'd love for him to be on the field as much as possible, if that means using him as some kind of hb/fb hybrid then so be it. JJ is so bad at picking up the blitz though I really dont trust him at all as teh singleback blocking for Bledsoe, he is gonna get him killed.

 

[conner01]

pass blocking is alot different than run blocking.i think in a limited role it might work as a change of pace, but i think all you will do is wear both down

 

[burmafrd]

Barber has missed more pickups this year then JJ has. Hiero, you should KNOW by now that BP would not play JJ if he did miss any pickups. Try and control yourself.

 

[Jarv]

How big was Richie Anderson? He was the type of FB that Parcells wants. I'd say that Barber could handle that job. Any talk of a monster blocking FB doesn't take into account Parcells' preferences.

You are right JD, RA is the type of FB BP likes. Barber (maybe with a little added bulk next year) could be that type of FB too.

Here's the catch, its one of the things I disagree with BP about. I want a sledgehammer 260 LB FB.

So now, you have to ask yourself...Are you gonna agree with Jarv or BP ?

Man, I would really like an hour or two alone with BP at some sleezy NJ bar drinking beers and talking about football. Arguing about different ultilizations of FB's and all sorts of stuff. Wouldn't that be cool.

 

[wsmith_1972]

Can barber bulk up anymore...they guy has arms like cannons.

He hits like a mack truck...if you have any questions, ask Michael Boulware.

 

[JDSmith]

You are right JD, RA is the type of FB BP likes. Barber (maybe with a little added bulk next year) could be that type of FB too.

Here's the catch, its one of the things I disagree with BP about. I want a sledgehammer 260 LB FB.

So now, you have to ask yourself...Are you gonna agree with Jarv or BP ?

Man, I would really like an hour or two alone with BP at some sleezy NJ bar drinking beers and talking about football. Arguing about different ultilizations of FB's and all sorts of stuff. Wouldn't that be cool.

Yeah, and right after that I want to have a little sit down with Stephen Hawking and tell him about my unification theory... Sorry, but I couldn't bring myself to argue with Bill about football. It would be like my 6 year old daughter trying to talk to me about the family's finances ( Xana: I want xxxxx Me: We can't afford it honey. Xana:Why don't you just go to the bank and buy more money, dad?). Things that would seem perfectly logical to me would sound amazingly stupid to him. Sometimes ignorance really is bliss.

 

[ghst187]

How big was Richie Anderson? He was the type of FB that Parcells wants. I'd say that Barber could handle that job. Any talk of a monster blocking FB doesn't take into account Parcells' preferences.

what i miss about Anderson was his HB passes to Glenn for TDs. That's what I miss. He could also gouge you with a run here and there.

No way Barber can be a lead blocker in the running game. Very different from pass blocking. Pass blocking is reactive and recognition. Run blocking is steamrolling LBs, who generally run 230 and up. You can't do that if you're only 215. That's why Spears and Witten line up as FBs to run block sometimes.
I wish we would've had room for Martin to stay. He was a jackhammer.
BP's philosophy on the FB position baffles me because he wants to be a power running game, clock controlling offense team but he wants his FB to be dynamic and able to catch passes and run the ball...seems a bit contradictory to me. Then, how often exactly do we throw the ball to the fb?Take that number vs how many times we power run.....

 

[Bob Sacamano]

This never works. Maybe 20 years ago this would have worked when a fullback was asked to run more. But today, a fullback is just a blocker so you need someone who specializes only in that.

uh, look at the current state of the NFL, fullbacks who can only block, are a dying breed