How safe is Tolbert?

[Marguide]

...but I'm trying to think what do we lose losing Tolbert, what if Ward goes down?

I don't think that is a significant concern. FB's are not valued highly, so decent ones can be found on practice squads or sitting at home waiting for a call.

 

I agree with JOAT, Tolbert is not the player we enjoyed in 2013. Take the cap savings, say goodbye, and at the same time remind everyone on the roster that no one is safe if they don't produce.

[pstall]

Time to go. Love him look family but its time

[bigdog10]

Well 3 tries from the 1 yard line and hes suppose to be our sledge hammer.   If I was the coach not safe at all.  NFL stands for not f

The play design of the two carries tolber had are so incredibly awful it's not even funny. 

The design had turner pulling (a pulling guard on a 2nd and goal fr the one!!!!). Turner pulled right into the back of Kalil, which resulted in the entire play collapsing on itself

shula literally called the same set of plays against the phins that he did against the Niners in the 2013 playoffs. It had the exact same result as well.  

[KillerKat]

I think we should try to see if we could package him in a trade to help us out at WR or DE or trade him for picks. 

[CoastalCat]

I really like Tolbert and have loved watching him bowl over people before, but it's just not there any more. He looks slow and seems noticeably easier to bring down. He does add value as a pass catcher out of the backfield, but he's always been a terrible...and I mean TERRIBLE lead blocker.

Enter the new stable of backs in Artis-Payne, Wegher and Ward. None bring the versatility of Tolbert, but between them he's replaceable and all three can play ST. CAP and Wegher both look capable of picking up some of the short yardage yards and then you have Ward who has looked exceptional as a lead blocker. Don't forget Todman either

Cut Tolbert, cut Brockel and keep all four  of these young guys - thoughts? 

* I have no idea of what the cap ramifications would be.

I think the team is better with him in there. Look at games last year with and without Tolbert. It could be his effect on how defenses play against us when he's in the backfield, or it could be a correlation and not causal, but we win games when he's in there.

[arbnranger]

Can any salary cap gurus shed some light on Tolberts contract? The numbers pro/cons of keeping/cutting him. If he is locked in with gauranteed money then the debate is pointless.  

[Castavar]

I think the team is better with him in there. Look at games last year with and without Tolbert. It could be his effect on how defenses play against us when he's in the backfield, or it could be a correlation and not causal, but we win games when he's in there.

You are simply fooling yourself if you think Tolbert had anything to do with that turnaround. It was more of the fact that we got to play 5 of the worst teams in the NFL the last 5 weeks and our defense was finally set. During that stretch, he had a whopping 68 yards on 23 carries for a 2.9 YPC. In the playoffs, he had 4 carries and dropped a HUGE ball against the Seattle that could have turned that game around. I'm sorry, Tolbert is done in my eyes and Wegher brings youth and upside.

[IGSaint]

I don't think that is a significant concern. FB's are not valued highly, so decent ones can be found on practice squads or sitting at home waiting for a call.

 

I agree with JOAT, Tolbert is not the player we enjoyed in 2013. Take the cap savings, say goodbye, and at the same time remind everyone on the roster that no one is safe if they don't produce.

This is ideal. Watching the last preseason game, I think these guys need a fire lit under them and cutting Tolbert if he doesn't produce would be a great start. 

[pantherclaw]

I know fans are taking to much from a simple attempt to see how the line would do on the goal line in preseason.

[Plewis]

Whatever Gettleshorts decides is the right answer. Ride and die with that dude

[Castavar]

Things can get complicated in these situations.

If we cut Tolbert and Brockel, who will back up Ward at FB? 

Even though Tolbert isnt a good fullback, he is probably still a good RB2, so that gives him flexibility at two postions (like Brockel, but better at both)

Also I am sure the coaches like Tolbert as a leader. I know that is cliche, but when it is 20 degrees and snowing in green bay you need high character leaders to keep the team fighting.

It's not hard to find a FB if Ward were to get hurt.

And that "leader" did absolutely nothing to lead in Seattle, but drop a perfect pass from Cam on 3rd down that was a VITAL game changer. I want leaders that lead by example. Give me production.

Also, you have to think about the future when making these decisions as well. Tolbert is not in our future. He would turn 31 during next year, and for a fat RB that relies on power, he will decline even faster. Wegher's youth and upside is just too valuable to pass up for a past his prime big RB/FB that can't block. You can find a FB in free agency that can block better than Tolbert if Ward were to go down. I'd rather have his cap space and roster spot.

[ncbandit]

I wonder if we could even get Wegher and Ward on the practice squad. They have to clear waivers first, right? Surely some other teams have taken notice, seen what we've been seeing. I think Ward may be safe, as fullback is not as in demand league wide, but Wegher has to be getting some eyeballs.

[OnlyPantherFaninMaine]

If this team is serious about establishing a downhill, effective running game then it makes sense to part ways with Tolbert, save some cap space, and bring in Ward to lead the way for Stewart and company. Tolbert has had the "full back" title here but he isn't that. Ward is a true full back and his blocking ability is something we need and lack currently to really have an efficient running game. Cam and Stewart running behind Ward all game would wear down any defense. I'd imagine and wager that he is more versatile and a better special teams player than Tolbert at this juncture as well. 

As others have mentioned, if Rivera is serious about getting the best 53 on this roster and Dave is thinking the way many of us on this board are, I don't think Tolbert is at all safe. I happen to believe Ward fits our offense better, is cheaper/younger, and Tolbert doesn't offer a whole lot that the other backs don't. 

It's a bummer that Stewart hasn't played at all this pre-season. I'd really like to see Ward play with Stew for a series or two against New England to see if they can move the chains and jump start our first-team offense's running game. 

[CoastalCat]

You are simply fooling yourself if you think Tolbert had anything to do with that turnaround. It was more of the fact that we got to play 5 of the worst teams in the NFL the last 5 weeks and our defense was finally set. During that stretch, he had a whopping 68 yards on 23 carries for a 2.9 YPC. In the playoffs, he had 4 carries and dropped a HUGE ball against the Seattle that could have turned that game around. I'm sorry, Tolbert is done in my eyes and Wegher brings youth and upside.

Then by that rationale, we should probably just do away with all fullbacks. Their stats are awful. The highest rushing total for a FB last year for the entire season was 85 yards (John Kuhne). While we're at it, let's get rid of all those Guards. I'm not even sure what they are doing out there? No yards at all. Get off your butts and catch a pass or something.