I think one of the guys on Big Blue Kickoffs was mentioning it. I think Shurmer's offense uses the FB more than McAdoo's, and they might want to help open holes for Barkley.
the base should be 12 personnel. keep in mind they can line engram up all over the place (out wide, slot, in-line, fb). they can also do ellison in-line or at fb. so just because they are in 12 personnel doesn't mean they can't basically have a 3 wr set, they can. they can also go empty backfield in that grouping as barkley and engram are defacto wr
depending on the defensive personnel on the field along with down and distance should dictate whether it's a run or pass.
having a FB on the field negates the ability to create these mismatches
Ellison and Adams will be the blocking backs and lineup in the backfield when necessary... No space unless they go with three running backs and cut Perkins (which could happen, but I doubt it):
the base should be 12 personnel. keep in mind they can line engram up all over the place (out wide, slot, in-line, fb). they can also do ellison in-line or at fb. so just because they are in 12 personnel doesn't mean they can't basically have a 3 wr set, they can. they can also go empty backfield in that grouping as barkley and engram are defacto wr
depending on the defensive personnel on the field along with down and distance should dictate whether it's a run or pass.
having a FB on the field negates the ability to create these mismatches
I don't discount mismatches, but I think that when we put too much emphasis on them, we lose sight of just how important execution is.
When the defense knows what's coming and still can't stop it, that can be just as demoralizing as success due to a mismatch or misdirection.
According to Pro Football Reference the FB was in on 18% of offensive snaps.
Note: the fullback CJ Ham was first team all-pro last year
Another telling stat: Ham was a fixture on special teams, playing nearly two-thirds of the ST snaps. If Shane Smith is going to be a 2018 Giant, he will need to be - at a minimum - decent on specials. A common role for the FB is as the punter's "Personal Protector". Smith might want to buy Riley Dixon a few dinners.
Can be used for a variety of needs,adding another weapon out of the backfield even if everyone knows he's a blocker only(except the D can't really be sure, can they?), real or fake dives into the line by SB, and PS/MS can work his 1 trick to advantage even if is only a 1 trick pony.
I can see a few possible inferences from the available evidence:
(1) The staff really likes Shane Smith;
(2) The fullback position is a very low priority;
(3) Both (1) and (2);
(4) Neither (1) nor (2), but the team figures they can find a fullback later if Smith isn't the answer.
Anyway, we can reasonably assume that the Giants did not aggressively pursue any of the top UDFA FB prospects. I don't think Dmitri Flowers (Jets), Ryan Nall (Bears), J.D. Moore (Chiefs), Khalid Hill (Seahawks), Chris Warren (Raiders), or Austin Ramesh (Cardinals) got any significant cash. So it would not have been hard to attract one of them. The only true fullback drafted was Nick Bawden, who went to Detroit halfway through the seventh round. Flowers certainly comes to the Meadowlands with more accolades than Smith did. We'll see whether he plays up to his pre-draft notices.
He's a football player. He's a good blocker and a good athlete. There is a need for a FB on this team. I know I always loved running behind one. It makes it easier to key of their blocks when reading a play. I've watched him during pre-season and he looks like he blocks well at the point of attack.
One more thing here. I'm getting tired of the point of view that having players play multiple positions is what we should be looking for. Guards are built like guards for a reason. They have a different skill set playing in the interior of a line. I don't want my offensive tackles playing guard. They are usually taller and have more length to them which works will on the outside. Inside I'd rather have my guards short and squatty.
Same holds true for FB and TE's. FB tend to be shorter, more compact, lower to the ground and more amenable to blocking inside. Most TE are taller, longer and built to be playing on the outside of the line.
I know sometimes the numbers don't work out roster wise, but I hope they find the room to carry Shane Smith.
for short yardage just bring in snacks or some other big fat guy to play fb on the goal line to move some people if the play requires a fb
Note: the fullback CJ Lam was first team all-pro last year
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depending on the defensive personnel on the field along with down and distance should dictate whether it's a run or pass.
having a FB on the field negates the ability to create these mismatches
QB 3 (Manning, Webb, Lauletta)
RB 4 (Barkley, Stewart, Gallman, Perkins)
TE 3 (Engram, Ellison, Adams)
WR 6 (Beckham, Shepard, Lewis, Latimer, TBD, TBD)
OL 9 (TBD)
depending on the defensive personnel on the field along with down and distance should dictate whether it's a run or pass.
having a FB on the field negates the ability to create these mismatches
I don't discount mismatches, but I think that when we put too much emphasis on them, we lose sight of just how important execution is.
When the defense knows what's coming and still can't stop it, that can be just as demoralizing as success due to a mismatch or misdirection.
Note: the fullback CJ Ham was first team all-pro last year
(2) The fullback position is a very low priority;
(3) Both (1) and (2);
(4) Neither (1) nor (2), but the team figures they can find a fullback later if Smith isn't the answer.
Anyway, we can reasonably assume that the Giants did not aggressively pursue any of the top UDFA FB prospects. I don't think Dmitri Flowers (Jets), Ryan Nall (Bears), J.D. Moore (Chiefs), Khalid Hill (Seahawks), Chris Warren (Raiders), or Austin Ramesh (Cardinals) got any significant cash. So it would not have been hard to attract one of them. The only true fullback drafted was Nick Bawden, who went to Detroit halfway through the seventh round. Flowers certainly comes to the Meadowlands with more accolades than Smith did. We'll see whether he plays up to his pre-draft notices.
One more thing here. I'm getting tired of the point of view that having players play multiple positions is what we should be looking for. Guards are built like guards for a reason. They have a different skill set playing in the interior of a line. I don't want my offensive tackles playing guard. They are usually taller and have more length to them which works will on the outside. Inside I'd rather have my guards short and squatty.
Same holds true for FB and TE's. FB tend to be shorter, more compact, lower to the ground and more amenable to blocking inside. Most TE are taller, longer and built to be playing on the outside of the line.
I know sometimes the numbers don't work out roster wise, but I hope they find the room to carry Shane Smith.