One of the Giants' problems on offense last year seems to have been run blocking and while the offensive line was definitely part of the problem, there's also the non-linemen who were a problem where Daniel Bellinger was used as a lead blocker where he wasn't effective and it got to the point that the Giants resorted to using Mark Glowinski as a fullback/tight end. So while the fullback is mostly not used anymore, with the 12-personnel Daboll and Kafka use, there's still a need for a lead blocker and power runner on the roster, especially with Jones working with limited mobility.
I just happen to have someone in mind: fullback/h-back Zander Horvath. He was a running back in college and good at catching the ball, where he was effective in small doses with the Chargers his rookie year. Now could the Giants take a flyer on Horvath to use as a movement tight end/fullback hybrid, who occasionally gets the ball on short-yardage plays? I don't think there's anything to lose.
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Adam Prentice is a name I would look at because he has been with the Saints and the new RB coach for the last three years and is a free agent.
At the very least they need a second te who can block on the game day roster.
Interestingly new OL coach likes to use a FB and the one they had Jacob Johnson is a FA. HE PAVED the way for Josh Jacob’s leading the nfl in rushing 2 yrs ago
Swinney would sometimes use his BIG goal line package with Christian Wilkins and Sexy Dexy in the backfield. In addition to great blocking both had scored in that lineup.
Maybe that would be NY's answer to the "tush push".
Perhaps he changes his approach next season but there is little in his background that suggests this will be the case.
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I always thought you needed a good one to run the ball consistently …get the QB back under center and run from the split or old I formation.
Swinney would sometimes use his BIG goal line package with Christian Wilkins and Sexy Dexy in the backfield. In addition to great blocking both had scored in that lineup.
Maybe that would be NY's answer to the "tush push".
I don’t think I’d want to do this with a starting lineman… and I’m thinking more of a regular set, not just as a gimmick.
If we're talking about 12-personnel, the H-Back/fullback would be on the field a lot. Bellinger and Waller were used rather extensively when both were healthy, but the former was often used as a lead blocker which he wasn't suited for.
Perhaps he changes his approach next season but there is little in his background that suggests this will be the case.
I would imagine there will be some change to Daboll's approach since Jones' mobility will likely be limited in some form or another. Plus short-yardage, running plays or passing, was an issue, an issue that could be corrected with a specialist.
But let's focus on Bellinger. He had a rookie season with upside despite his eye injury, then he regressed as a blocker and was rarely used as a receiver. He was used as a lead blocker but didn't really get a lot of knockback against whoever he was asked to block, particularly up the middle. If the Giants have to choose one aspect of his game to develop, what should be focused on?
Yup
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And will probably just slam into the FB's back instead of making the proper cut.
Yup
If we keep him.