Let's discuss the all important FB position and

[Woods]

potential ramifications for Cricket.

I'm wondering if Cricket's spot on the team is at risk with the new wedge rules on STs being implemented this upcoming season?

If Cricket is not needed as the wedge buster, do the Cowboys look to replace Cricket with a better all around FB in the Draft, or do they even completely change the FB position to more of a H-Back role?

Finally, as another idea, the Cowboys have shown interest in blocking TEs in this draft (i.e., Anthony Hill from NC State and J Phillips from Virginia).

It wouldn't surprise me if we draft a TE who is an excellent blocker (but only an adequate pass catcher) between rounds 5-7, and we move Rodney Hannah to play the H-Back type role.

My best guess is that we either draft a "traditional" FB like Tony Fiammetta - who by the way has experience as an H-Back type that goes in motion and can read and adjust on the run - , or we move Hannah to H-Back and draft another TE, and one with top blocking skills, to help the running game.

I just think Garrett is going to look for someone in that FB role who can offer more variety.

Opinions?

 

[reddyuta]

i am on board to drafting a true fullback who has some good hands and a real nasty blocker.

 

[MONT17]

im sure cricket is a good teammate and the type of gu u like to have in ur locker room but he doesnt contribute the way Moose did!

 

[Yeagermeister]

i am on board to drafting a true fullback who has some good hands and a real nasty blocker.

We'll never find another Moose

 

[yentl911]

Fullback appears to be going the way of the strong safety....obsolete position.

It appears to get tougher and tougher to find a fullback that is big enough to lock, has some good hands and has some running ability.

I like Cricket though....he is still elarning and will get better.

 

[The Realist]

We drafted Cricket because he's a good blocker and he's a good ST player.

Rule changes don't change the fact that he is a good ST player.

We have probably been looking at blocking TE's in the draft because in a 2 TE offense the 3rd TE is pretty important.

We're also going to emphasize the run more this year.

Maybe we keep an extra TE and subtract a WR or OL from the 52?

 

[Woods]

We drafted Cricket because he's a good blocker and he's a good ST player.

Rule changes don't change the fact that he is a good ST player.

We have probably been looking at blocking TE's in the draft because in a 2 TE offense the 3rd TE is pretty important.

We're also going to emphasize the run more this year.

Maybe we keep an extra TE and subtract a WR or OL from the 52?

So you think that Rodney Hannah probably gets cut? Because if we add another (blocking) TE, we'd have 4 TEs on the roster (if we don't cut R Hannah).

 

[SMCowboy]

So you think that Rodney Hannah probably gets cut? Because if we add another (blocking) TE, we'd have 4 TEs on the roster (if we don't cut R Hannah).

I think it is very likely that if we do draft a TE late in the draft or bring one is as a FA, they will fight with Hannah for the final TE spot. 6th and 7th round DP's are FAR from locks to make a team.

 

[THUMPER]

We just gave Hannah a tender ($300+K) but didn't extend one to Tony Curtis. I really liked what I saw from Curtis in 2007 but he seemed to regress last year and I guess the coaches were done giving him chances. His blocking was not as good last season and he just seemed disinterested in the game. No one has picked him up yet and that's not a good sign either. Maybe there are some off the field issues we don't know about or something, who knows.

I would be OK without a FB but I would prefer one if he is exceptional at pass protection and as a lead blocker. If not then I would rather go with either an H-Back guy or just leave that roster spot open. We don't need to waste a roster spot on a guy who is just OK at those things.

 

[Stash]

While I think the team can definitely improve over Anderson at fullback, I wouldn't rule out carrying two fullbacks on the roster.

The team essentially wasted a roster spot on several inactive linemen last season, like Joe Berger.

With the special teams rules changes, I could see the team keeping another fullback.

And I think Fiammetta would be a significant upgrade over Anderson in terms of offensive production.

I think fullback is the one starting position on this team that could be significantly upgraded.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Just because their isn't a wedge to bust, it doesn't mean you don't need a freight train running down the field. You still must clear blockers so that plays can be made.

What I think is going to happen, is there is going to be a lot more tripping penalties called without the wedge. Blockers are going to attempt to take out the gunners and other guys racing down the field without taking the full force of impact. I suspect chipping and tripping to become big players during the inital clash of a return. Chipping a guy running full speed throws their momentum in a different direction and it will be quite difficult to redirect that much kinetic energy toward a ball carrier that is running full speed the opposite direction.

 

[The Realist]

So you think that Rodney Hannah probably gets cut? Because if we add another (blocking) TE, we'd have 4 TEs on the roster (if we don't cut R Hannah).

Could be Hannah or Curtis or neither that gets cut.

We won't go to two FB's.

I believe Anthony Hill was all ACC before tearing up his knee.

 

[Yeagermeister]

Could be Hannah or Curtis or neither that gets cut.

We won't go to two FB's.

I believe Anthony Hill was all ACC before tearing up his knee.

Curtis is already gone

 

[DaBoys4Life]

the discussion should start with Anderson getting cut and ending there IMO.

 

[JIMMYBUFFETT]

H-Back Marquez Branson from Central Arkansas in the 7th round would be my choice .

 

[The Realist]

Curtis is already gone

Thought so but I second guessed myself.

Hence the reason we are shopping for a 3rd replacement.

 

[dcfanatic]

the discussion should start with Anderson getting cut and ending there IMO.

Exactly. He stinks.

 

[BAT]

We have probably been looking at blocking TE's in the draft because in a 2 TE offense the 3rd TE is pretty important.

We're also going to emphasize the run more this year.

Not so sure that the Cowboys are in the market for specifically a "blocking" TE, they are looking at all kinds of players b/c they are doing their due diligence. If anything, Cowboys already 2 very good blocking TEs on the roster. It just so happens that both Witten & Bennett are also excellent receivers as well.


In any case, Cowboys also looked at James Casey, who is not considered a blocking TE.


Count me among those who want Cricket gone. Nice guy, but is a lousy pass protector and mediocre lead blocker. It is time to get a starting FB that is more than just a good STer (or comic relief).


I for one believe the Cowboys can find another Moose. A poster mentioned Marquez Branson (great receiver & is a willing blocker), another guy I like is Marcus Mailei, who is not as athletic as Branson, but he has much more pop lead blocking & pass protecting. Either of these guys can be had in the 6th to UDFA range and would be upgrades over Anderson as a FB.