Interesting note on FB drafting.......

[meatpile]

From the observer:

One of Carolina's biggest regrets should be failing to land Ohio State fullback Jamar Martin, who was one of its targets. He was the best blocking fullback in the draft and would have been the ideal lead blocker for Lamar Smith and Foster.

Dallas added to its strong draft by choosing Martin in Round 4 with the 129th pick, eight spots before Carolina was prepared to take him. With Martin gone, the Panthers selected Stanford quarterback Randy Fasani at No. 137 and Syracuse fullback Kyle Johnson at 145.


They gambled, and missed.

 

[meatpile]

Stackhouse a giant.

Giants | Another Agrees - posted at KFFL (http://nfl.kffl.com)
5:13 PT: The Star-Ledger reports the New York Giants have agreed to terms with free agent FB Charlie Stackhouse from Mississippi.

 

[Piper]

Martin was the best blocking fullback in the draft. No doubt we wanted him. Johnson is probably a step below that, but his strength is lead blocking. Stackhouse makes for a nice project, but you’ve got to be able to block in the NFL to play FB.

 

[magnus]

corner had already been neglected by two rounds. Martin's great but if we "almost" got him, it doesn't get him but it does give us something we needed more. Whether Wesley is the one or not, that's not for me to say, but I d on't think we could have gone any longer without a corner.

 

[meatpile]

Originally posted by Piper
Johnson is probably a step below that, but his strength is lead blocking.

When you say lead blocking, do you mean blocking for the running back, as opposed to pass protection / blitz pickup?

 

[magnus]

yeah I think his expertise lies more in leading - i.e. clearing a zone space like an isolation block rather than seeking out a designated responsibility. Takes less thought and reading.

He's a good blocker overall. Strong leader, measurables better than anyone else that'll be a worthwhile blocker, so bringing him up to speed as a blocker will get you a receiver and a guy with immeasurable intangibles. And Orangemen fullbacks overall have a pretty decent track record.

Not that that guarantees anything.

 

[meatpile]

Wasn't Howard Griffith a lead blocker?

 

[magnus]

well by most accounts a FB is given that title. Doesn't necessarily suggest role. For instance, on a traditional sweep, often the fullback will fill into the center of the line and that often accompanies a fake to the FB, and yet the guard is the lead blocker.

So that doesn't rightly matter I don't guess.

 

[Piper]

Yeah, Griffith is one of the better ones. Just follow him through the hole.

Pass blocking will come. If he can just give a blitzer a quick pop, that's all you need.

Hoover will probably be more of a weapon running and recieving right now, and may be more agile, but that's just gravy. Between these two, we chould have an effective combination.

 

[McFly41]

Should have drafted Jeremy Allen!

The ONLY Hawkeye I REALLY wanted.