18 Comments
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zezinhom400's avatar

Big fan of trying Murphy at this, and not just goal line but @20-25 snaps. Think he’s a legit threat and people would have to game plan around him at 4.8 in the 40

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Brent's avatar

If we're at the one-yard line, then by all means have it be Murphy. Nothing like have a wrecking ball to plow over the goal line.

If we're at our own 25 starting a drive, then Murphy is not the right person for the job. At that point on the field you want a multi-threat player. The Swiss Army Knife player. Durability is key. Look what happened to the Saints when Hill went down. They lost a third of their offensive playbook.

Rhys-Plumlee? Good pass catching option as a checkdown or wheel route, but does he have the oomph to be a lead blocker inside the tackles? Could he hold up to the pounding of being a lead blocker?

Bobo? Same questions as Plumlee, but with those four extra inches of height he's better able to elevate over a shorter DB. Has shown he's willing to do the unsung work.

Russell? From a size standpoint, he fits the profile.

Biggest question mark is "want-to." Fullback is a position where you have to want to do it. Do the dirty work, get banged up, over and over. Whomever ends up getting the call for the position, he'll be the guy that wants to get on the field.

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MOBILIZER's avatar

How about Zach Charbonnet gaining 10 pounds?

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Shaymus McFamous's avatar

Not trying to get our soon-to-be star D-lineman hurt from dudes diving at his knees for a tackle. Give me none of the above, but give me Brady Russell if I have to pick someone from the list

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Paul G's avatar

My feeling is this: If you’re going to use a fullback, get a fullback. None of this stuff is easy and double duty doesn’t cut it. If the season is on the line, does anyone really want everything to depend on Brady Russell executing at FB?

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Paul G's avatar

P.S. In the poll, please replace “Patrick Ricard” with “A pro football player who is actually a fullback.”

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Paul Johnson's avatar

I understand that this is a post pointed at the fullback position, but I want to veer off target to talk about injecting some options into the Hawks' repertoire of plays.

I really hope that the hawks find a way to get Plumlee into the game. Position play has become so specialized that there seems to be little to no thought of having a muti-threat payer on the field. (Taysom Hill illustrates the value). I'm sure that the first time Plumlee got a pich to go wide and then sent a missle down field to DK, or a tight end it would be a big surprise. From that point on defenses would have to change the scheme to account for a guy who can run, throw, and catch passes.

Maybe he's not fullback material, but there is value in having a player on the field that presents uncertainty to the defence.

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Bob's avatar

I have been shouting since day one that Byron would be awsome carrying the ball on 4th and short or short goal line downs. Add a monster Guard or Center in the off season and such calls are a slam dunk! Such plays are infrequent enough that it should not interfer with his D-line rotation. A swiss army Godzilla right?

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Nicholas Donsky's avatar

Use Plumlee like the Steelers used Kordel Stewart as a Slash. Slash QB/ RB/ WR/ FB/ KR. That ads another thing the opponent needs to plan for.

If Murphy gets injured playing FB a coach would get fired.

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Grant Alden's avatar

How about NC State’s Willie Lampkin?

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Stephen LeGrand's avatar

Either or both, depending on the situation. Plumlee can be kind of sudden and capable of feature back kind of moves. And he can pass. Knowing that Murphy was a running back in his past just makes me want to see that big body unleashed in a short yard situation. Why not?

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Chris H's avatar

A late round pick on a guy with the right mindset would be the least costly way to a) get an actual FB and b) do it cheaply. $5M is a lot to pay for a guy playing 10-15 snaps a game. As has already been noted, I'm ok with Murphy for goal-to-go situations, but not as a regular battering ram. Not the right way to allocate resources IMO.

I'm glad, and not at all surprised, that Coach Mac attended the Senior Bowl with the Seahawks Personnel folks. He doesn't want all of his information filtered through other people. He wants some first person data, as he should. He nailed the Knight pick last year, so he should have more input......especially on defensive picks.

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Paul G's avatar

Agree. Short of signing a Michael Robinson clone, FB is the ideal use of a late Day 3 pick.

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Chris H's avatar

John Benton hired as new O-line coach. Huff out I guess.

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Grant's avatar

I agree with those that would prefer to see Murphy only in on high-leverage, short-yardage situations, or not at all as FB.

I think Brady Russell makes the most sense from who is currently on the roster, but I'd bet there's a free agent or later round draft pick added to compete. Dareke Young and Plumlee should get opportunities in training camp to be more than special teamers, though Young has a lot to prove to his new coaches to justify his salary at this point.

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Sandman's avatar

Cam Skattebo may be an intrigung convert. Love that passion

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John schneider’s Gotta Go's avatar

I agree with u on Brady Russell. He’s got the right size and weight and he’s been waiting for his opportunity. I’m rooting for him to win the job. How did 34% of you choose Byron Murphy?!

I mean yeah I’d like to see goal line package(s) for BM but not ALL the time.

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Randall Murray's avatar

I love FB. Mack Strong needs to be in the Ring. John L was so awesome out of the backfield. Not the power blocker Mack was but incredible receiver and better blocker than everyone mentioned but Ricard. PC didn’t like centers or FBs. I just don’t get it.

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