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**NYC4jags** · 12-17-2019, 12:06 PM

(12-17-2019, 10:52 AM)Mikey Wrote:
(12-17-2019, 09:38 AM)NYC4jags Wrote: They used the TE as a lead blocker just fine IMO. Had they not had a constant churn of injured players at TE it may have been more effective, but they didn't really miss the FB much IMO. Seth DeValve was lead blocking very well before he got injured for example (and he was a street free agent to replace Swaim.)

I think the greater fail was commiting to the power scheme in the first place.
I hope we see an influx of more athletic linemen and add an elusive back to use in committee with LF and Armstead.

I'd much rather make defenses defend multiple options than line up in a power set and dare them to stop the obvious ball carrier. Flip's only real variation on this was very rarely sending two receivers in play action from a power set on first down and that's not near enough. Gotta make defenses work harder on first down by giving them more to account for.

The only success the Jags have had with this in recent year was Hackett's brief use of a Grant/Fournette backfield running or passing out of a 3WR set. I hope the next OC brings some version of that because it's the best way to get Fournette space and it gives the QB 5 options, three of which can be quick releases by design.

You can't help but wonder that if we weren't using TE as FB if they wouldn't be less susceptible to wear and tear.

Eh, if a Y-type TE can't run 10-12 lead block plays a game for you without getting hurt then he has a durability issue unrelated to his position vs a FB. We're talking about guys who are 240+ and 6'4" or better who are already expected to block more often than run routes.

DeFilippo left the FB off the roster so he could emphasize versatility with his TEs and on the surface it wasn't a bad plan until they all got hurt and he was plugging in street free agents to fill three distinct TE roles. (Y, F, and H-Back)

I'm sure the next OC will utilize a lead blocker in some form. I just hope he's a bit more creative about it and doesn't suffer injuries like we did this year.