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We've yelled at the DLine, moaned about the OLine and play calling. Forum posters have pointed out problems in almost all phases of team activity, but one area of play that has flown under the radar is the lack of production from the backfield by the fullbacks. It's gone from an area bright with potential to a big weakness. We need to get some help at this position.
In 06' William Henderson was cut, Vonta Leach was found to be wanting and sent on his way, leaving GB with no one to play fullback. But GM Ted Thomson filled the FB spot with a couple finds in '07.
Linebacker Korey Hall was drafted in the 6th round out of Boise State. He was converted to FB when he was drafted. Many observers felt that Hall was drafted based on a recommendation from ST coach Mike Stock (there's that name again). The Redskins drafted a Boise State LB named Bryan Johnson in 2000, when Stock was the ST Coach for Washington. Johnson blossomed into a solid FB and special team's terror for the Skins. In the early going of '07, it looked like the same trick worked twice. Not only was Hall a decent blocker, but he showed both skill and potential as a pass receiver and runner. Hall also did the job on ST and made several good plays in that capacity. Hall's first year was marred by injury, but he seemed to be a guy who had the ability to both be productive and improve his play.
Hall's back-up was John Kuhn. Kuhn was snapped up off the waiver wire from the Steelers. Kuhn had some experience and could play effective ST, in addition to being a strong blocker. Kuhn is much more limited in his ability to run with the ball or catch passes, but a back-up can't do everything, can he? Kuhn isn't much as a pass receiver or runner, but has the ability to throw devastating lead blocks.
The Packers finished '07 with two new FB's, both with different skills and abilities. The future looked rosy with two young maniacs at FB that could only improve with time.
Then came the '08 season. It opened OK for the team at FB. Hall made a beautiful catch against the Vikes in a win for a big TD. As the season began to progress, however, the lack of production from the FB position became somewhat glaring. Hall repeated failed to deliver on his blocking assignments. His production as a pass receiver and runner were also non-existent. This combined with some nagging injuries, moved Hall to the bench.
Kuhn came in and showed that he is the dominant blocker of the two players. Sometimes, that is. He is also a stiff, clumsy bugger. He can blow people up on one play, and then fall on his nose, diving into the turf on the next. Kuhn is a non-factor as a pass receiver or runner. For some goofy reason, he was used by McCarthy in key 4th and short situations. Kuhn showed he can be consistent in some phases of the game; he failed miserably on both occasions.
One of the big problems with both FB's is their ineptitude at ST. Both showed the ability to run the field and make ST plays all over the place in '07. That talent is seemingly is gone in both men. Neither of 'em is any factor at all on ST. Is it injuries, complacency, lack of coaching, who knows? What is known is both players have fallen off the map. ST play is all attitude and Hall/Kuhn must have bad attitudes, their play at ST is now almost non-existent
The conclusion of the miserable '08 season finds us in a puzzle at the FB. Sub .500 NFL teams can't afford to stand pat. Should we chalk this year up as a bummer and give these two a chance to rebound? Yeah, maybe. But at least one of 'em has to improve. I'd think they need to bring in some good competition and come up with two players at the position. Neither of these guys has earned any right to think they have any job security.
In 06' William Henderson was cut, Vonta Leach was found to be wanting and sent on his way, leaving GB with no one to play fullback. But GM Ted Thomson filled the FB spot with a couple finds in '07.
Linebacker Korey Hall was drafted in the 6th round out of Boise State. He was converted to FB when he was drafted. Many observers felt that Hall was drafted based on a recommendation from ST coach Mike Stock (there's that name again). The Redskins drafted a Boise State LB named Bryan Johnson in 2000, when Stock was the ST Coach for Washington. Johnson blossomed into a solid FB and special team's terror for the Skins. In the early going of '07, it looked like the same trick worked twice. Not only was Hall a decent blocker, but he showed both skill and potential as a pass receiver and runner. Hall also did the job on ST and made several good plays in that capacity. Hall's first year was marred by injury, but he seemed to be a guy who had the ability to both be productive and improve his play.
Hall's back-up was John Kuhn. Kuhn was snapped up off the waiver wire from the Steelers. Kuhn had some experience and could play effective ST, in addition to being a strong blocker. Kuhn is much more limited in his ability to run with the ball or catch passes, but a back-up can't do everything, can he? Kuhn isn't much as a pass receiver or runner, but has the ability to throw devastating lead blocks.
The Packers finished '07 with two new FB's, both with different skills and abilities. The future looked rosy with two young maniacs at FB that could only improve with time.
Then came the '08 season. It opened OK for the team at FB. Hall made a beautiful catch against the Vikes in a win for a big TD. As the season began to progress, however, the lack of production from the FB position became somewhat glaring. Hall repeated failed to deliver on his blocking assignments. His production as a pass receiver and runner were also non-existent. This combined with some nagging injuries, moved Hall to the bench.
Kuhn came in and showed that he is the dominant blocker of the two players. Sometimes, that is. He is also a stiff, clumsy bugger. He can blow people up on one play, and then fall on his nose, diving into the turf on the next. Kuhn is a non-factor as a pass receiver or runner. For some goofy reason, he was used by McCarthy in key 4th and short situations. Kuhn showed he can be consistent in some phases of the game; he failed miserably on both occasions.
One of the big problems with both FB's is their ineptitude at ST. Both showed the ability to run the field and make ST plays all over the place in '07. That talent is seemingly is gone in both men. Neither of 'em is any factor at all on ST. Is it injuries, complacency, lack of coaching, who knows? What is known is both players have fallen off the map. ST play is all attitude and Hall/Kuhn must have bad attitudes, their play at ST is now almost non-existent
The conclusion of the miserable '08 season finds us in a puzzle at the FB. Sub .500 NFL teams can't afford to stand pat. Should we chalk this year up as a bummer and give these two a chance to rebound? Yeah, maybe. But at least one of 'em has to improve. I'd think they need to bring in some good competition and come up with two players at the position. Neither of these guys has earned any right to think they have any job security.
they played well for Favre last year.... hehe
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