To fullback or not to fullback

[erod]

I'm one who's always preferred a fullback. The traditional symmetry of a fire-hydrant battering ram to clear out the trash for a trailing tailback just bleeds football essence to me. The backfield looks naked without one.

However, there's good reasoning behind not bothering with them these days.

1. Two-TE offenses make it very hard for defenses to effectively blitz. With two tight ends on opposite sides of the center, if you blitz off either corner, it's an easy hitch and catch for the QB. It also forces teams to play more in their basic formation and package because they have to cover each TE and be ready for the run. Run block assignments are more straight forward without a "loose" linebacker roaming around before the snap.

2. Three-receiver sets are such a standard package, it takes snaps away from the fullback.

3. Lots of backs prefer a clean backfield, especially those with good vision. This is often based on preference, but Zeke Elliott is used to playing without a FB, so I'd bet he prefers not having one.

4. There just aren't any good ones anymore. College football has pretty much abandoned traditional running attacks, so most teams don't really even use fullbacks. That makes them tough to draft, and there are hardly any good ones in the NFL these days. Moose, Neal, Rathman, Leach.....they're like dinosaur fossils anymore.

5. I'm tired of watching fullbacks here get stoned in the hole and just clog up the running lanes. Doesn't seem to matter who Dallas brings in, they turn in to 230-pound speed bumps that the RB has to negotiate around. I'd rather pull that linebacker out of there with a third receiver or a tight end in motion.

6. The tight ends, despite their usual height, seem to do just about as good a job if you need them to line up in the backfield. Not great, but not noticeably worse.

Makes me nostalgic, but I think it's probably the best way to go.

 

[DBOY3141]

If Zeke prefers not to have one, would go that route. Spread the defense out with 3 wides and with a rushing threat plus a threat out of the backfield, this offense could be lethal.

 

[JoeBoBBY]

never go full fullback...

unless you have Moose of course...

 

[conner01]

I prefer two TE sets myself
Unless you have one if the very few really good ones, FB just take up roster spots

 

[BAT]

Bring a couple of FBs to camp at least. Let them compete with the players from the converted positions. Keep the best guys. Its not rocket science and for God's sake let's not out think ourselves.

Let the best players play. But you need to bring them in first. Bring them ALL in.

 

[darthseinfeld]

Wonder if Smith can convert

 

[Stash]

I've always been a fan of the position, especially if you're a team looking to impose your will offensively with your running game.

But they're definitely a dying breed, and based on the team's roster and actions, I'm not counting on seeing one this year.

I'd expect a RB Rod Smith conversion project first.

 

[Denim Chicken]

Fiammetta was the last effective FB I can remember. Clutts sucks.

 

[Jarv]

Make Morris learn the position, that way we save a roster spot.

 

[JohnsKey19]

Fiammetta was the last effective FB I can remember. Clutts sucks.

I agree. If you can find a good FB, they are well worth the roster spot. I don't believe Clutts is worth bringing back. And if all Rod Smith is going to do is line out wide, he's not worth a spot either.

 

[jazzcat22]

If Zeke prefers not to have one, would go that route. Spread the defense out with 3 wides and with a rushing threat plus a threat out of the backfield, this offense could be lethal.

Zeke made a comment that he wouldn't mind having a FB sometimes.
This was shortly after the draft. Can't remember if ESPN or NFLN reporter.

 

[PJTHEDOORS]

Instead of FB, go with another RB opposite Elliott. McFadden. Teams would have to respect McFadden in the passing game. So they'd have to at least show help on his side. McFadden and Elliott in the backfield. Who's taking the handoff? Whos going out to the flat as a wr? Who's taking it up the middle for a big run? Defenses have to watch that. Should be fun to see what exactly Boys do with the FB position.

 

[Bluefin]

I've always been a fan of the position, especially if you're a team looking to impose your will offensively with your running game.

But they're definitely a dying breed, and based on the team's roster and actions, I'm not counting on seeing one this year.

I'd expect a RB Rod Smith conversion project first.

Jason Garrett values the position, but the team hasn't signed or drafted a legitimate prospect to date.

The position is dying off in college football, so they just aren't many premiere FBs available. The classic hand in the dirt "Y" TE is also getting harder to find on Saturdays, the position is being taken over by receiving specialists who can line up anywhere.

Fullbacks just aren't going to see the field for a lot of offensive snaps, though the ones they get are typically critical (3rd&1, goal line).

Ideally, you want to find a player who will also be a stand out on special teams so as to add value.

Right now, LB Keith Smith is supposed to get a look, so is RB Rod Smith (Jaylon's brother) and there are two tryout layers here for rookie camp, TE Austin Traylor and FB Mandel Dixon.

 

[BAT]

Jason Garrett values the position, but the team hasn't signed or drafted a legitimate prospect to date.

The position is dying off in college football, so they just aren't many premiere FBs available. The classic hand in the dirt "Y" TE is also getting harder to find on Saturdays, the position is being taken over by receiving specialists who can line up anywhere.

Fullbacks just aren't going to see the field for a lot of offensive snaps, though the ones they get are typically critical (3rd&1, goal line).

Ideally, you want to find a player who will also be a stand out on special teams so as to add value.

Right now, LB Keith Smith is supposed to get a look, so is RB Rod Smith (Jaylon's brother) and there are two tryout layers here for rookie camp, TE Austin Traylor and FB Mandel Dixon.

FB position has evolved in almost every era of football. Once upon a time the FB was the primary rusher and the TB was the specialist. That changed early in the modern passing era making the FB more and more of a lead blocker and short yardage runner. Then FBs became more and more involved in the passing game called H backs, a hybrid FB/TE without the inline blocking and very little lead blocking. Now FBs are either 2nd TEs with ability to lead block or TEs are just oversized WRs. Rushing FBs may dominate again one day.

Time they are a changing. Constantly.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

Fiammetta was the last effective FB I can remember. Clutts sucks.

he was really good for that half a season...like really good, but I think concussions ended his career

 

[Maxmadden]

Since we seem to be moving against the grain in the pass happy NfL, it would seem a fullback would be included for our return trip to the 90"s.

IF we could find that stud FB I would be on board, but Clutts doesn't fit my vision.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

Jason Garrett values the position, but the team hasn't signed or drafted a legitimate prospect to date.

The position is dying off in college football, so they just aren't many premiere FBs available. The classic hand in the dirt "Y" TE is also getting harder to find on Saturdays, the position is being taken over by receiving specialists who can line up anywhere.

Fullbacks just aren't going to see the field for a lot of offensive snaps, though the ones they get are typically critical (3rd&1, goal line).

Ideally, you want to find a player who will also be a stand out on special teams so as to add value.

Right now, LB Keith Smith is supposed to get a look, so is RB Rod Smith (Jaylon's brother) and there are two tryout layers here for rookie camp, TE Austin Traylor and FB Mandel Dixon.

I don't know how you can value the position but consistently not bring in a guy. This year you had Vitale in the draft, although he really isn't a true fullback. There were a couple of pure FB types though....and I was interested in Swain, the FB from Navy. Fiammetta was decent here, not a bruiser but was effective at walling guys off and had a knack for blocking the right guy. So many of these converts don't hit their targets.

I thought Jaylon was related to Keith, not Rod.

 

[DTown214]

I don't even know if he's still on our roster but Clutts better not make this team. He stinks. I remember his first catch and run turned into a fumble recovered by the opponent. I then remember saying "well I guess that's why his name is Clutts". I like the idea of trying Rod Smith at FB. He might have to convert to a FB because he's not making this team as a RB with Zeke, DMac, Morris, and even Dunbar. It would really be awkward for Jaylon Smith if we ended up cutting his brother Rod.

 

[Tabascocat]

Is there even room for a FB? They will carry many defensive lineman and we have quite a few RB's. I haven't seen a FB used here properly in awhile, so I vote no

 

[cowboyuptx]

I like a fullback set, but the problem is finding a fullback that's worth doing it. How about trying Rico Gathers at FB? He hasn't played football in over a decade anyway, so any position he plays will be new to him... That said, it is hard to imagine a 6'7" FB... But I do think that if used correctly, there could be such thing as a transcendent FB emerge in today's NFL...