Alex Armah could get squeezed out of Carolina if you read the tea leaves

[MHS831]

Be patient with me as I build the case to cut Alex Armah: 

Rhule:  "The reason why I wanted to hire Joe was (that) at LSU, he ran a version of the Saints' system. As a college coach, I studied NFL tape all the time," Rhule said. "Obviously, with them being in the NFC South, I have so much respect for (head coach) Sean Payton, their system, their ability to consistently execute and play at the highest of levels. And so you see Joe with his own take put on something that's really strong fundamentally and sound fundamentally."

New Orleans has a fullback and they have used a FB more than most teams.  but that does not mean that we will.  At LSU, the FB position was minimized in 2019--a school known for their FBs in the past.  When Brady arrived at LSU, here is what he said:

Brady: "Running backs are here to run the ball and catch passes. They’re not signed to play at LSU because they’re dynamic blockers. That’s what offensive linemen are for. Are they going to have to do it? Yes. But the more we can get them in the routes, the more defenses limit the packages they can do and it allows us to do what we have to do."

If you take the liberty to stretch this comment to the NFL and Panthers,  and you can since it is a bit philosophical, you have to wonder if he is suggesting a FB is going to be in the mix.  He has also made comments about keeping 6-7 WRs.  In Brady's opinion, sending the RB in a route pulls someone you would have to block if not running a route-and if the RB does not draw the defender, he should be open---enter Bridgewater's skill set. 

Take a look at these stats that reveal the dramatic drop off of the FB position at LSU (2019) and the rest of the SEC.  The SEC dropped from 19 to 8 in one year--LSU dropped from 5 in 2017 to 1 in 2019.  The SEC has a profound impact on the NFL.  Will Brady use the FB, and if not, what does that mean for Armah?   If RBs can motion out or swing out of the backfield with the same or better effect and the plan is to rely on the OL to block (I know), then Alex could be cut---am I missing something?

 

https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/sports/lsu/article_d9cd91ac-c5a0-11e9-ab5c-f3c55818e9ae.html

The NFL is mirroring the trend in college--albeit more gradually--this chart shows the decline of "2 RB sets" (which indicates a FB is on the field, but not always).

So what does it all mean?  Well, Armah could feel the squeeze in Carolina this season, allowing the Panthers to keep CMC, Bonnefon, Davis, and probably an extra WR.  FWIW, the 2 teams (in 2018) that used the FB the most?  SF and N. England.  New Orleans was 7th.

https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/reports-of-the-fullbacks-demise-have-been-greatly-exaggerated/

There you have it--MHS stirring up a fullback controversy as only he can do. 

 

[Waldo]

Manhetz vs Armah? Or both?

It's a sad possibility. I haven't heard either doing anything this camp. Neither appear to be in the mold of the new offense.

I was hoping we would do a transition year with Armah due to how bad the oline looks on paper but I guess we are going all in.

[sml1950]

FB....HB..TE...ST.....1 player......versatility makes team

[Mistuh Jones]

meh

 

[t96]

We’ll see. Armah is a very good and versatile player at the position. I think Brady and Rhule will value that in some way, enough for him to stick around. Whether he gets as many reps as he’s gotten the past few years is another question though.

[Bronn]

This absolutely should not happen.

Armah is an all around athlete and could contribute a lot of places other than the traditional FB role.

[Bronn]

Armah could play TE, DE, LB and even spot at RB if needed.

 

[Jeremy Igo]

Rhule has had some nice things that say about manhertz lately

[kungfoodude]

Wait....so you are trying to tell me that antiquated positions that Rivera used might go away with more updated offensive philosophies???????

[kungfoodude]

5 minutes ago, Jeremy Igo said:

Rhule has had some nice things that say about manhertz lately

Oh poo. Ballgame.

[t96]

32 minutes ago, kungfoodude said:

Wait....so you are trying to tell me that antiquated positions that Rivera used might go away with more updated offensive philosophies???????

There’s a reason coaches like Belichick and Shanahan still use FBs extensively...

[zacka77ack]

#IGOWATCH. Jeremy is in shambles over the potential loss of yet another fullback.

[LinvilleGorge]

I don't think it would be a shock at all. The FB position is largely being phased out of football. Especially at the NFL level with only 45 players active on game day. There's not enough formations in most offenses these days utilizing a FB to justify carrying one. A TE can fill the role on the occasion it's needed.

[t96]

12 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

I don't think it would be a shock at all. The FB position is largely being phased out of football. Especially at the NFL level with only 45 players active on game day. There's not enough formations in most offenses these days utilizing a FB to justify carrying one. A TE can fill the role on the occasion it's needed.

It would be a shock because whether he's playing FB or TE, he's a damn better football player than fuging Manhertz. Completely sick of us trying to make this guy work. Yeah Jimmy Graham and Antonio Gates became great TEs after only playing basketball in college; ship has sailed with Manhertz though