Full-Back Contingency Plan?

[Doc-phin]

I started thinking about this the other day and would love to know the answer.  Although nobody on this board may actually know, perhaps someone watching would. 

This could apply to most NFL teams, but considering Polite is a fairly undersized FB, I was wondering what happens if he gets injured.  I am pretty sure we will do what we did last year and what most NFL teams do in keeping only one full back on the roster.

So if he were to get hurt, how would that change our playbook/playcalling?  Would we have to scrap a bunch of run plays or can they just be modified slightly?  Would one of the tight ends or other running backs be prepared enough to outright be a backup?

I ask theses questions because there were a few games last year that Polite was a major part of the win as a lead blocker.  It seems like a lot to let ride on a guy that takes on so much contact, is undersized for the position and has no backup.

[Spider-Dan]

He won't get hurt because I don't want him to.

[bsfins]

To Be honest Doc, I think it's a situational thing...Depending on who we're playing,when,what's happening....Are we playing the Bonsai Blitzing Jets,3rd quarter down 7...Te's can be moved into a blocking situation, Goal line we could use and extra O-lineman,Use Ronnie and Ricky together mote, 2 TE sets....

[Pappy13]

Absolutely there are people that could fill the void.  TE's or other RB's, either on the roster or not on the roster.  Not necessarily as well as Polite, but the Dolphins certainly wouldn't have to scrap part of the play book.  You can take it to the bank that the Tuna and his helpers know exactly what they will do if Polite is injured.

Hell they practice a play where they purposely overthrow a WR in case they are ever in a position where they are trying to run out the clock and a simple kneel down won't cut it.  You honestly think they don't know what they will do if the FB gets hurt?

[Doc-phin]

Absolutely there are people that could fill the void.  TE's or other RB's, either on the roster or not on the roster.  Not necessarily as well as Polite, but the Dolphins certainly wouldn't have to scrap part of the play book.  You can take it to the bank that the Tuna and his helpers know exactly what they will do if Polite is injured.

Hell they practice a play where they purposely overthrow a WR in case they are ever in a position where they are trying to run out the clock and a simple kneel down won't cut it.  You honestly think they don't know what they will do if the FB gets hurt?

I don't think they really want to play someone at fullback who isn't practiced well or built well for the position.  It is just one of those positions that is very physical and requires you to read the exact correct block or the play fails.  I could definitely see them not running several plays just because of the lack of a true fullback.  The only exception on our roster I see (as a possible backup option) is if Hilliard is taking some practice reps.

[Pappy13]

I don't think they really want to play someone at fullback who isn't practiced well or built well for the position.  It is just one of those positions that is very physical and requires you to read the exact correct block or the play fails.  I could definitely see them not running several plays just because of the lack of a true fullback.  The only exception on our roster I see (as a possible backup option) is if Hilliard is taking some practice reps.

Not for more than 1 game, no you wouldn't.  In the middle of a game if it happens you have someone fill-in for Polite who has actually practiced the position.  After the game you start looking for a replacement and you get him ready for your next game.  There are lots of fullbacks out there looking for work.  Would they be as good as Polite?  No.  But that's the same risk you have with any position.

[Brian Fein]

There's another fullback in camp this season...

#46 Rolly Lumbala, second year guy out of Idaho.  6'2" 238 lbs.

I'm guessing he won't make the final roster unless he excels on special teams, but if the team's leadership feels they need a contingency plan, I'd bet this is it.

[Doc-phin]

Not for more than 1 game, no you wouldn't.  In the middle of a game if it happens you have someone fill-in for Polite who has actually practiced the position.  After the game you start looking for a replacement and you get him ready for your next game.  There are lots of fullbacks out there looking for work.  Would they be as good as Polite?  No.  But that's the same risk you have with any position.

Good point.  Makes sense to finish a game with minimal-to-no FB play and look for a replacement immediately after.  Not sure why I didn't think about that.  Also makes sense that the camp guy is their go to guy if that call needs to be made.  I did sort of think about that but just thought of him as more of a fill in to avoid giving too many reps to one player during camp. 

See something useful can come of message boards after all.  Now I don't have to think about this.

[Phishfan]

Hell they practice a play where they purposely overthrow a WR in case they are ever in a position where they are trying to run out the clock and a simple kneel down won't cut it.  You honestly think they don't know what they will do if the FB gets hurt?

What kind of situation would ever warrant that? A kneel down keeps the clock running and an incomplete pass stops the clock. How would that ever be more effective?

[fyo]

What kind of situation would ever warrant that? A kneel down keeps the clock running and an incomplete pass stops the clock. How would that ever be more effective?

If the other team has a timeout left.

[Pappy13]

What kind of situation would ever warrant that? A kneel down keeps the clock running and an incomplete pass stops the clock. How would that ever be more effective?

Let's say it's 4th down and there's 10 seconds left on the clock.  You're up by 3 points.  If you simply kneel down as soon as you do the clock stops on change of possesion and the other team will get  the ball for 1 play.  If you punt you risk a possible return.

So instead you have the QB take the snap and roll out to eat up a bit of clock and then he throws the ball down the field as far as he can, he doesn't try to complete it and risk it getting picked off, he just simply overthrows everyone.  If you do it right you eat up about 10 seconds and game over.  They actually practice this play, sometimes several times.  If they don't leave this up to chance which might happen what once in a season if that, you think they are gonna leave something up to chance like not knowing who will replace Potite if he gets hurt?  Not a chance.

[Phishfan]

If the other team has a timeout left.

That still doesn't make sense. You get no advantage. Throwing incomplete still stops the clock and lets them keep their timeout. That is actually a disadvantage.

[Phishfan]

Let's say it's 4th down and there's 10 seconds left on the clock.  You're up by 3 points.  If you simply kneel down as soon as you do the clock stops on change of possesion and the other team will get  the ball for 1 play.  If you punt you risk a possible return.

So instead you have the QB take the snap and roll out to eat up a bit of clock and then he throws the ball down the field as far as he can, he doesn't try to complete it and risk it getting picked off, he just simply overthrows everyone.  If you do it right you eat up about 10 seconds and game over.  They actually practice this play, sometimes several times.  If they don't leave this up to chance which might happen what once in a season if that, you think they are gonna leave something up to chance like not knowing who will replace Potite if he gets hurt?  Not a chance.

Very rare situation, but it could happen I guess.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

Let's say it's 4th down and there's 10 seconds left on the clock.  You're up by 3 points.  If you simply kneel down as soon as you do the clock stops on change of possesion and the other team will get  the ball for 1 play.  If you punt you risk a possible return.

So instead you have the QB take the snap and roll out to eat up a bit of clock and then he throws the ball down the field as far as he can, he doesn't try to complete it and risk it getting picked off, he just simply overthrows everyone.  If you do it right you eat up about 10 seconds and game over.  They actually practice this play, sometimes several times.  If they don't leave this up to chance which might happen what once in a season if that, you think they are gonna leave something up to chance like not knowing who will replace Potite if he gets hurt?  Not a chance.

Why not instead send in 10 blockers and your punt return man line up at QB.  Have him run around in the back field for 10 seconds?  Even if he retreats all the way to the end zone you still win by 1.  "Just hold on to the ball with both hands and what ever you do don't fumble"

[Pappy13]

Very rare situation, but it could happen I guess.

That was my point exactly.  It's an extremely rare situation...and yet they actually practiced this exact play in training camp.