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Nobody is talking about the biggest difference coming...

lightsout

By lightsout,
in Carolina Panthers

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lightsout Grand Master

lightsout

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on offense. Alex Armah. The use of a FB and H-back (known as "F-Back" in Turner's system) under Turner. It has been mentioned in passing, but with all the talk about receivers, if CMC can be a prototypical NFL RB, if Cam is going to have to change the way he plays, nobody is talking about how different this offense may in fact look pre-snap.

It's no secret that our OL is not looking great on paper right now. We lost our best pure run blocker in Norwell, and the Kalil brothers are up in the air on if both can stay healthy and effective all season long. So what is the solution under Norv? Simple. Lead blockers for days. 

For those not familiar with the role of F-back, it's also at times called a "sniffer", depending on the alignment of that player. We've used this previously under Chud in limited scenarios, but not much (if at all) since. Typically, a player who excels at run blocking AND possesses the ability to catch the football within 10 yards of the line will line up around B gap on either side and they are very close to the line. A lot of teams will motion TEs traditionally lined up outside of the tackle across the line and snap the ball once they're in that spot, but few incorporate a true "sniffer" alignment. They almost hide behind the line because of how close they are to the line (hence the term "sniffer", as if they're "sniffing" the line). 

Armah may be more of a traditional FB like Lorenzo Neal was under Turner in San Diego blocking for Tomlinson, but we could see him line up in the H-back role. If not, and say we're in an I formation, where does that leave us for a sniffer that ultimately ends up creating power-I? Options include Cameron-Artis Payne (assuming he's active, which wouldn't be likely considering guaranteed actives seem to be CMC, Anderson, Armah and we'll be likely carrying 5 or 6receivers) or even Anderson. Both short and both physical players, if they can fit up and drive a linebacker. Ideal for the position. This gives options as well for audibles into a number of plays ranging from jet sweeps to screens, to play action passes as well as changing formation pre snap to any number of looks, given CMC's versatility. Different looks, different angles, but without the need to really change the way plays function.

Armah will most likely end up being more critical for the success of our run game and therefore, our play action game than many really realize. Being able to run plays with fewer pulling linemen means less risk of a player getting through the backside of plays, something that hurt us severely for the past two seasons (why Stew and CMC were getting popped in the backfield so often). Norv likes the I, offset I, and singleback sets that motion the F-back to the sniffer role SPECIFICALLY to get teams guessing. It's what Delhomme and Davis lived on for the entire 2003 season behind Hoover. Is playaction coming? is this a power? An iso? Counter? This spells good things for us, if Turner does what I am thinking he will. If any of you are like me, you could guess what kind of run was coming pre-snap all last season. If we can, for sure the defenses we face can. Norv utilizing additional blockers via the FB/F-back opens up the possibilities for us to maintain balance and a strategic edge over teams.

Quit looking at the passing game. It'll be there with the addition of Moore, CMC, a (hopefully) healthy Samuel and another year of experience under Funchess as well as the veteran leadership in that room. The run game is what this offense has always been built around, and while many of you will be dismayed to still see the option used from time to time each game, our run game will be far more effective than we've seen since 2015.

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Mage Grand Master

Mage

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Just now, lightsout said:

Except we have an OC who absolutely loves a good fullback now. Before it was wishful thinking because Shula was an idiot.

I’m not doubting Armah’s potential to be useful, but if a fullback is the biggest difference between this year and last year, then we are in for a disappointing (relatively speaking) offensive season. 

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lightsout Grand Master

lightsout

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Just now, Mage said:

I’m not doubting Armah’s potential to be useful, but if a fullback is the biggest difference between this year and last year, then we are in for a disappointing (relatively speaking) offensive season. 

 

The fullback is the difference. It leads to other things we're not used to seeing. Receivers running free over the top off play action, teams not blitzing us to death because of that, a run game that gashes teams because they're on their heels, a screen game that's actually effective because of the lack of discipline the other three caused previously.

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Thorrez Collaborator

Thorrez

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Does anyone have a good link to a story why the classic fb iso died? I'm guessing things like the SS can play the box and both cover the fb and limit the play if it is a run? Athletic lineman catching the runner from behind? Lbs to good to shred the block? Would be interesting to get more knowledge. 

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GoobyPls Mentor

GoobyPls

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Norv hasn’t used a true fullback since the 90s lol, this myth of him loving fullbacks is a myth.

 

He ran Lorenzo Neal out of SD and started using Jacob Hester and Tolbert two pass catching backs. In Celevland they led the league in pass attempts, mostly in shotgun without a FB, in Minny they got rid of Felton and mainly used single back with AP.

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Khyber53 Grand Master

Khyber53

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Good post, OP! 

I hope to see Armah getting a lot of use and just the way you laid it out. It sure would make the games more interesting with a new wrinkle like that. The read option has been good(-ish) to us, but a change might be the spark we need.

Also, I think it is premature for anyone to say our line will be weak this season. We'll see when the real games start, but I think both Kalil brothers will post better seasons than last year. I hated to see Norwell go, but I think a guard for us is an easier replacement than other positions. I do feel bad for Norwell in NY, though, that team has major problems.

 

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LinvilleGorge Grand Master

LinvilleGorge

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4 hours ago, Thorrez said:

Does anyone have a good link to a story why the classic fb iso died? I'm guessing things like the SS can play the box and both cover the fb and limit the play if it is a run? Athletic lineman catching the runner from behind? Lbs to good to shred the block? Would be interesting to get more knowledge. 

The evolution of the NFL becoming a more and more pass oriented league. FBs are rarely on the field when teams go three wide and teams go three wide the majority of the time these days. If a FB is on the field with three WRs, then that means the TE probably almost certainly isn’t and the TE has become a top target for a lot of teams (the Panthers certainly included). With only 46 jerseys available on game day, few teams choose to allocate a spot for the FB role anymore.

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