Taylor to get reps at FB

[CloakNNNdagger]

From this morning's Chronicle:

Running back Chris Taylor is also playing fullback. His versatility will make him more valuable when the team is arriving at its final 53-man roster. Fullback Vonta Leach has been helping Taylor with the transition.

“Fullback is a whole lot different position,” Leach said, comparing his position to running back.

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Originally Posted by Ole Miss Texan

What...what?...what!... what's going on!?

If anything (if we're not dealing with a troll), he must be mistaking Taylor for Chaun Thompson (if he's not a drunk troll).

[CloakNNNdagger]

“Fullback is a whole lot different position,” Leach said, comparing his position to running back. “Things happen a whole lot faster at fullback, so I’m just trying to teach him the steps and what to look for and how to read it.”

As lead blockers, fullbacks have to relish hitting defensive players. “That, you really can’t teach,” Leach said. “You’ve got to tell him to just hit somebody. You can’t really teach that. You’ve got to have that ‘I don’t care’ attitude.” [LINK]

As Leach clearly points out (and he is certainly talking now from a Gibbs FB view point), as an RB you're looking to avoid hard hits, as a FB you're looking to make hard hits.

[Ole Miss Texan]

Originally Posted by CloakNNNdagger

“Fullback is a whole lot different position,” Leach said, comparing his position to running back. “Things happen a whole lot faster at fullback, so I’m just trying to teach him the steps and what to look for and how to read it.”

As lead blockers, fullbacks have to relish hitting defensive players. “That, you really can’t teach,” Leach said. “You’ve got to tell him to just hit somebody. You can’t really teach that. You’ve got to have that ‘I don’t care’ attitude.” [LINK]

As Leach clearly points out (and he is certainly talking now from a Gibbs FB view point), as an RB you're looking to avoid hard hits, as a FB you're looking to make hard hits.

That's true... I love those fullbacks that don't care about scoring TD's or getting lots of noterity but just LOVE to go out and pancake some LB's. Few RB's are willing to do that unless you mini-superman named Maurice Jones-Drew who completely levels Shawn Merriman.

I think the hardest thing for RB's transitioning over is for them to get over the fact that they probably won't become the next great RB, sign a huge contract and score lots of points. Fullbacks get little attention but are a huge part of helping the RB succeed. IF they can get over that and be pumped to help the team- they can learn to love to hit. Once you get a few big hits/blocks in, it can spark something and the realize how fun it is.

I also like to hear that about offensive linemen. So many of them- their favorite part is being able to get to the 2nd level and completely demolish a LB in run blocking. Those guys get to really just manhandle some smaller guys for a change and its fun.

[Vinny]

Most conventional fullbacks are closer to Guards than they are running backs except in the wco where fullbacks are closer to TE's since they move around alot and have more responsibility in catching short passes. Guys like Moran Norris and Lo Neil are just Guards without the mass.

[Specnatz]

Originally Posted by Vinny

Most conventional fullbacks are closer to Guards than they are running backs except in the wco where fullbacks are closer to TE's since they move around alot and have more responsibility in catching short passes. Guys like Moran Norris and Lo Neil are just Guards without the mass.

Exactly and in wco you need guys like Tom Rathman, can deal the punishment but also can catch the ball out on the flat and take it up the field.

[76Texan]

Originally Posted by Specnatz

Exactly and in wco you need guys like Tom Rathman, can deal the punishment but also can catch the ball out on the flat and take it up the field.

I think when Cook was in there last year, we normally gave him the ball one way or another, and not asking him to be a blocker much. Did I remember coorrectly?

They can do the same with Taylor.

[barrett]

I'm wondering (quietly, mind you) if Vonta will have any issues with a change in his duties. I saw a quote from him yesterday I think it was, talking about the fact that previously he was asked to do more of the mauling kind of FB thing but that Gibbs has given him a more interpretive role where he's reading the defense even more. I don't expect any issues but I am just wondering.