The Case of Mike Tolbert

[mbarbour21]

Tolbert is a beast and needs to be used more no doubt. I'm sick of wasting talent on this team. Need to get it together.

[saX man]

Basically disagree

 

1) He is well ahead of pace in carries and yards this year compared to last

2) His receiving has always been spotty. He will have plenty of 0 and 1 reception games and then a few 3 and 4. He will probably get a few higher reception games.

 

If anything we are utilizing him more based on total plays and touches. Catches for a player in his role will come and go.

 

Also he has 5 targets this year with 4 receptions

 

Ah cool cool.  I can agree with that.

 

Yeah, I understand we're using him in the run game, but I think it's been forced given the injury situation with Stewart and Barner.  I think as things stand right now, we're shoving him in this Shula guy's playbook rather than having designed plays that allow him to show us what's up.  The balance between adapting to your players and having your system in place is one of the most important things for an OC and I just don't like the way Shula has used him so far.  

[Happy Panther]

Ah cool cool.  I can agree with that.

 

Yeah, I understand we're using him in the run game, but I think it's been forced given the injury situation with Stewart and Barner.  I think as things stand right now, we're shoving him in this Shula guy's playbook rather than having designed plays that allow him to show us what's up.  The balance between adapting to your players and having your system in place is one of the most important things for an OC and I just don't like the way Shula has used him so far.  

 

I would hope we have some designed plays and just haven't seen them yet.

 

Hope is a dangerous thing...

[Captain Morgan]

I like the kid and to me it seems like he performs on the field.  I don't understand why

we haven't used him more, especially since Stewart is out.    

 

I'm no expert, but it just seems he brings so much counterbalance to our offense that he's not 

more a part of it.  With him and DA in the backfield at the same time, I would think we'd have some

plays that would give the defense fits.

[Dex]

There's a difference between a slip screen and a check down

how is that in any way related to what I said? Smh, I swear the Huddle gets worse by the day.

[saX man]

how is that in any way related to what I said? Smh, I swear the Huddle gets worse by the day.

 

what were you even trying to say?

 

You seemed sarcastic and lumped screens and check-downs together.  

[Achilles]

Truth is last year Cam tried to pass to him early in the season and he dropped some critical first down passes.  This happened in at least two games when it killed drives and we were unable to score.  The same poo is happening again this year but its just other receivers.  

 

I think Tolbert is a quality player.  I like how he moves for his size and does everything a HB and FB can do.  He reminds me of Brad Hoover, but like 10 times more talented.

 

I agree with the person who said we were foolish to let Shockey walk and bring in Tolbert.  That was part of the read-option push that never really gelled. Not that I have a problem with Tolbert, but he wasn't used well in the scheme until the second half of the season (like the rest of the running game).  This season I like what he has done so far.  He is doing a good job of being that Mike Alstott type player.  D-Lo is the speed guy and Tolbert is the battering ram. With Cam a threat to run they all seem to complement each other.  Cam and Tolbert on the field at the goal line is pretty stout.  I think that gives us a very high percentage chance of scoring from the 1. I thought we would see more screens.  That is where Tolbert could do a lot of damage.

[teeray]

Some one I was talking to brought a good point to me yesterday.

This person said our O-line has been so shaky and we are facing so many blitzes that we are having to keep RBs in as extra blockers so they haven't been able to be used as checkdowns as much as we would like.

Sometimes we are using as many as 7 guys to pass block.

I haven't gone back to watch and verify how ofyen this is the case but it does at least make some sense that this is happening.

[Dex]

what were you even trying to say?

You seemed sarcastic and lumped screens and check-downs together.

Cam is getting sacked or forcing throws down field because he has no checkdowns. I'd like to see more screens sprinkled in as well. Defenses are blitzing Cam more and more. It's time we take advantage of that with Tolbert on screens, curls and wheel routes.

[Ace_Aladdin]

Does Stewart return next week?

[The Golden Child]

[saX man]

Thanks Shula...(so far today, I don't wanna jinx myself)

[Udogg]

Cam is getting sacked or forcing throws down field because he has no checkdowns. I'd like to see more screens sprinkled in as well. Defenses are blitzing Cam more and more. It's time we take advantage of that with Tolbert on screens, curls and wheel routes.

 

There have been check downs. The arizona game he just wasn't using them.  There were also a lot of underneath routes that he missed.  That being said, lots of those blitzes should have been picked up.  Lots of blame to go around. 

 

I agree with the screens and curls.    I don't think we run enough of those type of routes.   Haven't for the last 2 years.  Also I would really like for some 2 TE sets where the  2nd TE is actually a threat.

[KSpan]

Atlanta ran that exact same TD play on Monday night.  Glad it gave the same result here.