Rod Smith to switch to FB

[Bluefin]

i'm not sure how physical of a player Rod could be, but he does have a role on special teams here.

LB Keith Smith has also moved to fullback, switching to jersey #41.

The Cowboys chose not to re-sign Tyler Clutts, but have also moved linebacker Keith Smith to fullback from his linebacker spot. link

Keith is a physical player and can also play special teams. Rod is a running back and will have a better understanding of the position and offense than his defensive counterpart.

I doubt either will do enough to stick, they are most likely competing for the chance to land on the Practice Squad.

 

[Proximo]

Larry Centers 2.0

Athletic FB will be a sleeper while the D is focusing on everyone else.

 

[The Natural]

If it doesn't work out, I hope they don't hesitate to remove him. No reason to force players into positions that they can't play for the sake of keeping someone around.

why not, nepotism is a fabric of this organization

 

[Bluefin]

Fullback Switch

Garrett confirmed that Keith Smith, who has spent time on the active roster the last two seasons, will move from linebacker to fullback.

“We’ve seen him do some stuff on the offensive side of the ball in scout team type situations and he’s demonstrated to us he can be an effective special teams player,” Garrett said. “And we think that might give him a really good chance to make our football team.

“We’ll see how it all works out as we go here through the offseason. If we get into it too much and he’s not getting acclimated as smoothly as we thought he would, we might move him back to linebacker. But we think this is a good starting point for him.”

Running back Rod Smith, who joined the team last year in midseason, will also get work at fullback. The Cowboys have not re-signed Tyler Clutts, the team's fullback for the better part of the last three seasons.

 

[DTown214]

His final position might just end up being JSB (Jaylon Smith's Brother). But seriously, doubt they cut him for that reason alone. And apparently Zeke is good friends with him also. Don't wanna make the future of our offense and the future of our defense uphappy.

 

[BAZ]

Draft a running back 4th and have him run behind someone new to his position. Either go with someone that can play it properly or don't use the position. Why get clever with this now? Especially when you are extra terrified of a Chris Gronkowski event happening again.

 

[PJTHEDOORS]

Called it.

I also think the PR savvy Jones will not want to cut the brother of his feel-good draft story.

Rod makes the team.

Not if he can't block at FB he doesn't.

 

[Primetime42]

A fullback you can line up wide? Brilliant!

 

[jobberone]

I'm looking forward to removing the stain of Tyler Clutts from the land seeing what Rod Smith and Keith Smith do at FB at camp. I think the final decision will come down to keeping one of them or RB Darrius Jackson as the 5th player behind Zeke, DMC, Morris and Dunbar - with Special Teams obviously being the deciding factor.

Most we keep is 4 RB and 1 FB. My guess is Dunbar comes back late or goes IR latter unlikely. That leaves 3 after two spots. EE, Morris/Mac, and Dunbar +/- Jackson.

 

[LatinMind]

I'm looking forward to removing the stain of Tyler Clutts from the land seeing what Rod Smith and Keith Smith do at FB at camp. I think the final decision will come down to keeping one of them or RB Darrius Jackson as the 5th player behind Zeke, DMC, Morris and Dunbar - with Special Teams obviously being the deciding factor.

Dunbar won't make it out of the first couple weeks of tc. His contra t is a 16 week rent to own contract. Cowboys owe him almost nothing if they cut him

 

[davey999]

Why not just actually sign or draft an actual fullback if you want to use one?

 

[Manster68]

I would not mind if Dallas experimented and give Darius Jackson a shot as a smaller but faster fullback. Jackson would be able to block low and use leverage. He could also be devastating as a decoy on misdirection runs by Elliott up the middle.

Plus he could be a valuable safety valve coming out of the backfield for Romo. Don't you think defenses would focus on Elliott, Bryant, and Witten?

This is just something that has been on my mind.

It is not like it is the first time the Cowboys has had a smaller fullback. Walt Garrison and Robert Newhouse (RIP) comes to mind.Even though that was 30-40 years ago, this offense can make that work again.

 

[jazzcat22]

Why not just actually sign or draft an actual fullback if you want to use one?

Maybe they did not like any of the options on any players out there.

 

[Hoofbite]

Team has been better off without a fullback.

 

[waving monkey]

I'm looking forward to removing the stain of Tyler Clutts from the land seeing what Rod Smith and Keith Smith do at FB at camp. I think the final decision will come down to keeping one of them or RB Darrius Jackson as the 5th player behind Zeke, DMC, Morris and Dunbar - with Special Teams obviously being the deciding factor.

I see Jackson as Dunbar's replacement

 

[waving monkey]

His final position might just end up being JSB (Jaylon Smith's Brother). But seriously, doubt they cut him for that reason alone. And apparently Zeke is good friends with him also. Don't wanna make the future of our offense and the future of our defense uphappy.

lol

 

[AbeBeta]

Why not just actually sign or draft an actual fullback if you want to use one?

Because FBs are no longer relevant?

 

[gimmesix]

A full back dive for a 1st down or TD would be nice around here finally so sign me up!!

Here's what Smith had to say about the switch:

“I’m doing a little bit of everything. I think I’m a pretty athletic fullback,” Smith said. “They’re going to use me a lot different ways. I’m ready for the challenge. I’m going to find my way around the ball.”

I'm not sure how effective he'll be as a blocker, especially if he hasn't added any weight, but he certainly does bring more skill to the position.

 

[SilverStarCowboy]

The first step of getting cut.

 

[big dog cowboy]

A full back dive for a 1st down or TD would be nice around here finally so sign me up!!

That is what Alfred Morris was signed for.