Elijah Hood claimed off waivers

[Black&BlueBubba]

1 hour ago, cbully said:

He's strong as hell!!! Much closer to Stew than CAP. I love this move. Nice powerback that WILL break tackles.

Only problem is like STEW he doesn’t catch the football out of the backfield. That is what I love about Anderson.  

But I like the pick up. 

[MadHatter]

At a minimum, the competition for the #3 and #4 RB spots (behind CMC and C.J.) during training camp is going to be fun to watch.

 

[Dilla]

Love getting local players a shot. Best bet would be for him to stick with the practice squad or back-of-the-roster and compete to fill Anderson's spot next year if he is not re-signed.

[slumdogmillionaire]

Garcia said on radio earlier that he was given bad advice at his pro day to gain weight or muscle and it made him sluggish and slow.  

[Daddy_Uncle]

He's so good if he can stay healthy

[ncfan]

27 minutes ago, slumdogmillionaire said:

Garcia said on radio earlier that he was given bad advice at his pro day to gain weight or muscle and it made him sluggish and slow.  

Problem is he was always sluggish and slow so im not buying that.

Watching him through college.  LBs easily ran him down often.  He was just powerful and vicious so he just broke the tackles.  His power, blocking ability (heck UNC used him as a lead back blocking for Logan on some plays), and running style.  I 100% see why they told him to pack on a few pounds.  He'd be the perfect FB in this league and thats probably why some scouts told him to pack the pounds and saw future plans for him

[TheRumGone]

This dude is a fullback. 

[The Huddler]

47 minutes ago, ncfan said:

http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/elijah-hood?id=2558113

 

STRENGTHS

Big and powerful with well-muscled build and huge traps. Decisive runner who lacks speed, but can get into his top gear early in his rep. Instinctive and will accelerates through contact with pretty good contact balance to keep runs alive. Shows ability to slash through arm tackles and is always looking to fall forward. Drives his feet through tackle attempts and is credited with 28 broken tackles over his last two seasons. Used in pass protection and as a lead blocker at times in Tar Heels running game. Throws an effective cut block in space. In pass pro, launches his weight into pass rushers and gives them something to think about. Functional pass catcher with above average hands and an ability to dig out the low throws.

WEAKNESSES

Lacks speed to live a life other than that of a grinder. Will be unable to get around the edge on a consistent basis against NFL linebackers. Slow to gather, cut and get back into the flow of the run. Early traffic in the backfield is his nemesis. Lacks the agility and elusiveness to be a creative back on the first and second levels. Needs a point of entry to be effective. Hammerhead style won't allow him to get skinny and bleed through the creases. Lacks subtle shifts to convert downhill, short yardage attempts.

SOURCES TELL US

"Not sure why he changed his mind and decided to come out, but I think he is who he is and it doesn't really matter how much more college football he plays. We like more dynamic runners but he might find some work as a short-yardage specialist." - NFC national scout

BOTTOM LINE

Downhill runner who lacks desired elusiveness, lateral quickness and speed, but does have the overall power to create for himself. Hood is a banger who will only be a fit for certain systems, but he does have the toughness to handle pass protection duties. Hood's ability to block in the open field could open a door for him as a roster-friendly fullback with third or fourth running ability.

 

 

 

Sounds like a damn good prospect at FB, and could beat out Armah right away and get playing time.

 

 

The thing about FB is ....   blocking. 

[ncfan]

9 minutes ago, The Huddler said:

The thing about FB is ....   blocking. 

Again as it said.

"Hood'sability to block in the open field could open a door for him as aroster-friendly fullback with third or fourth running ability."

He showed good ability as a lead blocker on some plays.  Plus was a good pass blocker. Combine that with his desire to hit people.  You got you a FB.

Plus the traditional FB isnt even used As much anymore.  They are used a lot in roles like Tolbert on FB dives or some pass catching, which Hood fits like a glove.

 

 

Line Cam under center, with Hood at FB in front of CMC or Anderson.

Gives option to hand the dive to Hood, hand to the RB.  playaction to; 1. Fake the Hood dive and throw it short to CMC.  Go full playaction and.  A. Cam rolls out and scrambles.   B. Cam throws it deep to Moore, Samuel, Byrd, or Smith.

 

[TheSpecialJuan]

Roster currently at 88, two more spots up for grabs. 

[steven8989]

1 minute ago, bull123 said:

fedora used him horribly too...hope he does well, if not with us with somebody

ron & marty not showing much confidence in cap & fozzy these days

Good Cap and Fozzy need to be gone.

[ncfan]

3 minutes ago, bull123 said:

fedora used him horribly too...hope he does well, if not with us with somebody

ron & marty not showing much confidence in cap & fozzy these days

Im not sure if its the confidence in them.

Just bringing in competition.

When has Cap had legit competition?  He's just been able to sit safe even though he hasnt got much playing time

[Proudiddy]

Idk what these scouts were watching because a lot of their evaluations I'm reading in here seem awfully damn harsh.

I can tell you, Proudiddy Scouting Services has him as a player who is much faster in games than he is timed.  I see a lot of "lacks elusiveness" but I think he had a great combination of being able to make guys miss and the guys he didn't he just had a great knack for shedding tackles and pounding defenses into submission.

IMO, he is game reminded me a lot of a Marshawn Lynch-lite.  The potential is there...  there were games where he just seemed to take over.  It was as if, at times, that defenses absolutely feared every touch of the ball he had, and it had a detrimental effect on their entire play.

We'll see, but this could be an incredible steal.  Regardless, this is the most excited I've ever been about our offensive skill positions top to bottom and it clearly is the deepest and most talented group we've ever had...  I just hope the defense comes together better than we anticipate (ps - sign another safety like Reid, Mitchell, Boston, or Parker).

 

[PantherCam213]

1 hour ago, slumdogmillionaire said:

Garcia said on radio earlier that he was given bad advice at his pro day to gain weight or muscle and it made him sluggish and slow.  

He also said Hood had the chance to be a "good" player in the NFL.  Garcia really didn't rave about him like I expected him to.  I was a bit surprised.