Fullback For Next Year

[willyum]

[quote name='52Kia Kaha92' post='116744' date='Jan 2 2009, 02:22 PM']the awnser is travis McCall, we draft him in the sixth round and he is a blocking monster[/quote]

no, the answer is Quinn Johnson, senior fullback from LSU. best blocking back in the draft

[neepo13]

Leron is still our FB. He'll just be pulling double duty.

[MKdave]

[quote name='neepo13' post='116765' date='Jan 2 2009, 11:08 PM']Leron is still our FB. He'll just be pulling double duty.[/quote]

Yeah but who plays fullback when Le'Ron is at tailback? He's the kind of runner that really needs a fullback infront of him.

[bce086]

IMO I see Leron moving back to his FB position and Rice/McGahee splitting carries, and Leron getting some out of the FB position.

I agree I dont see us drafting a FB in the early rounds.

Lets just hope Neal decides to stick around... then all problems are solved

[Ed_Reed20]

I don't think the coaches need to address this till Neal retires. Ozzie and co. are very good at evaluating talent and they should get someone good. If they decide to go with someone this year, there are a number of pretty good FBs coming out.

[BloodRaven]

If we win the superbowl, Neal WILL retire and rightfully so, hes a warrior. If we dont make it he'll probably be back, hes still elite at what he does.

Finding a hard nosed FB will be easier than finding someone that can pound the ball as well as McClain.

[Betweenthetackles]

I agree...Neal is a horse. The best lead blocking fullback of all-time.....He goes through his opponents..not just fronting them and hugging/clutching/or holding them. This guy loves to smack...and that is what you need for a run-dominating team...I have had enough of the so-called pansy-AS$ fullbacks that can run/catch/kinda block....think west coast fullback. I like the 5 11 250 lb 4.85 40 yard dash, 600 squat and 400 bench press variety.

Apparnently our RB's do as well....Neal should be in the hall of fame as he truly is the best pure blocking fb the modern game has seen.

Call him a HB, TB, RB or FB...makes no difference..I call him dam^ effective at what he does; which is move the chains, punish opposing defenses, and run with passion/power......MAC attack leads the pack.

Ray, Phyllis McGAhee and Parmele all can contribute and complement each other well.....NOw it just comes down to inserting the appropriate back per the down/distance and situation....

Did anyone see Parmele's 31 yarder? I know it was run when it didn't matter 1 min. left, but I think this kid looks like he's got some pretty good vision, feet, and some power to boot? Anyone else have an opinion or know more about this kid? I know he came from the Dolphins and they wanted him to stay and actually paid him 3-4x the standard practice squad salary to keep him in Miami...

Thoughts?

[BloodRaven]

You know what? I could see Parmele making a full conversion to FB. Something I noticed on tape seems to be something scouts picked up on, if he cuts he loses all his speed. He might be faster than McClain but he doesnt have the footwork.

[ravens fan 123]

we have a fb mcclain

[raven43]

[url="http://www.draftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/fb/Quinn-Johnson.php"]http://www.draftcountdown.com/scoutingrepo...inn-Johnson.php[/url]

I just read up on this guy and he would be a great replacement for Lorenzo whenever he chooses to retire. He's supposed to be like a sixth rounder, so we should defenitly get him. Also, since I'm a Maryland boy I had to look at this guy as well...
[url="http://www.draftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/fb/Eric-Kettani.php"]http://www.draftcountdown.com/scoutingrepo...ric-Kettani.php[/url]

[bce086]

I think i'd be more interested in Johnson for a coulpe reasons. He's much heavier, he is primarily a blocking only fullback (much like Lerenzo Neal). Quite honestly with our 3 running backs we don't need our fullback to do much other than lead block for our RB's and protect Flacco.

[RavenFan626]

[quote name='bce086' post='142922' date='Jan 21 2009, 08:31 AM']I think i'd be more interested in Johnson for a coulpe reasons. He's much heavier, he is primarily a blocking only fullback (much like Lerenzo Neal). Quite honestly with our 3 running backs we don't need our fullback to do much other than lead block for our RB's and protect Flacco.[/quote]


If they decide not to but McClain back to fullback and not keep Neal then draft one. The Raven have been pretty successful in find good FB's in the draft.

[Canes21]

the answer to this is simple. mcclain at FB. mcgahee/rice at RB.

[PIG 20]

[quote name='Canes21' post='143048' date='Jan 21 2009, 11:52 AM']the answer to this is simple. mcclain at FB. mcgahee/rice at RB.[/quote]

I believe that this is what it will look like too. Unless of course they sign Lorenzo to another deal.

[ravens27]

[quote name='Canes21' post='143048' date='Jan 21 2009, 11:52 AM']the answer to this is simple. mcclain at FB. mcgahee/rice at RB.[/quote]

I think McClain should keep doing what he has done this season next season. McClain gets us the yards we need each game and more, I think we should draft a FB in the later rounds if Neal retires. I think McClain should continue to run the ball.

[PIG 20]

[quote name='ravens27' post='143149' date='Jan 21 2009, 03:00 PM']I think McClain should keep doing what he has done this season next season. McClain gets us the yards we need each game and more, I think we should draft a FB in the later rounds if Neal retires. I think McClain should continue to run the ball.[/quote]

Its a possibility. But I still think Le'Ron will not be carrying the ball as much. Things may change after next season once Willis is a free agent. I just hope Ray Rice can be what everyone thinks he can be.

[52Kia Kaha92]

QUinn Johnson is a Lorenzo Neal clone
Hes the guy we pick in the sevent round, he wont run or cacth but when hes in so is McClain so all he has to do is block

[ravens27]

[quote name='PIG 20' post='143152' date='Jan 21 2009, 03:10 PM']Its a possibility. But I still think Le'Ron will not be carrying the ball as much. Things may change after next season once Willis is a free agent. I just hope Ray Rice can be what everyone thinks he can be.[/quote]

I hope Rice gets carries next season because he has a lot of talent. Rice was incredible at Rutgers.

[the_PICKle]

[quote name='ravens27' post='143176' date='Jan 21 2009, 03:44 PM']I hope Rice gets carries next season because he has a lot of talent. Rice was incredible at Rutgers.[/quote]

Rice needs to get the ball in space. Taking the ball via the handoff didn't provide too much, but we all saw what he could do on a screen, swing pass, or short slant. McClain as FB would provide a extra wrinkle that the defense would have to think about knowing he could block or get the ball and run it well. Willis should be the featured back and will be if he is healthy next season.

[BloodRaven]

I dont think any FB booms lids like Neal.

[raven43]

yeah, when we drafted Rice I was like "oh the next maurice Jones Drew" but he ended up just being another backup....

hopefully we see some more of him next year.

But yeah, we better get Quin Johnson.

[bce086]

It was Rice's 1st year, and we have to great runners in McGahee and McClain. I am actually surprised he got as many carries as he did this season.

Don't worry, he will be playing a bigger role in the upcoming season im sure.

[raven43]

[quote name='bce086' post='143569' date='Jan 22 2009, 08:16 AM']It was Rice's 1st year, and we have to great runners in McGahee and McClain. I am actually surprised he got as many carries as he did this season.

Don't worry, he will be playing a bigger role in the upcoming season im sure.[/quote]
yeah, but when we drafted him, I didn't really know that Mclain was going to turn out the way he did. I only thought we had Mcgahee. Much like jaccsonville had Fred Taylor. So, when we drafted him, I thought that was going to be one heck of a one-two punch. Turns out he just became the number three option. ...

[catty112]

I also think we're gonna pick up a late round FB with the sole purpose of blocking (if Neal retires/leaves). After watching this season theres no way you ca undervalue the JUMBO package with Laron at RB and Lo paving the way. I still think that once Mcgahee can fully recover and put in a good offseason that he will be our feature back, running behind Laron.

Laron is the complete package at FB; he can run, he can block, he can catch balls out of the backfield. So he is our FB next year and hopefully for the next couple years.

[MKdave]

[quote name='catty112' post='143753' date='Jan 22 2009, 08:45 PM']he can catch balls out of the backfield.[/quote]
No he really can't. At all.

[Bullitt_711]

[quote name='bce086' post='116404' date='Jan 2 2009, 11:05 AM']With Leron McClain being converted to a HB, and doing an excellent job... and Lorenzo the Truck Neal most likely retiring next season, who will be our new FB?

Will we pick up a FB in the draft? In the FA?

Will we move McClain back to the FB position and use Rice/McGahee?

Draft a RB or pick one up in FA?

Just some early thoughts on this...[/quote]

IMO Ray Rice and LeRon will split carries. If anyone gets more carries it will be Rice IMO.

[the_PICKle]

[quote name='MKdave' post='143805' date='Jan 22 2009, 04:28 PM']No he really can't. At all.[/quote]

Agreed, maybe 1 out of 5.

[HDG52]

That is a tough question man , I would love to see Ray Rice get up in there alot more . This guy is so explosive , he has alot to bring to the table for us . McClain is the future also . We should make room for Willis this year , if he is healthy and can contribute like he did in Buffalo we will have the best running game in the league next year . It was unfortunate for him this year but atleast he kept trying . I know that didnt get us anywhere but his heart is in the game and not on the bench like alot of other players do around this league .

[CARavensFan]

Another thing, even if McClain still gets the ball at times it would a good idea to still have him work out of the FB spot often for no other reason than it gives us flexibility on the field and makes the opposing defense have to account for both our FB and our RB especially if you pair him with a quick, slasher type like Rice or even McGahee to some extent; you can have the defense expecting a speed back and then hit them with McClain from the FB spot (al Mike Alsott maybe?) or vise versa.

Just a thought because doing something like that would be similar to the type of misdirection type stuff that Cam loves to pull on people.

[raven43]

ahh, yes, who will the ravens draft at fullback? will they even draft a fullback? Will any be left??? you probably have a good idea of what the answers to these questions are, but I'm sure there are some things about the draft that you don't know...like who'll get picked, and when. to get a sneak peek, go on the thread:raven43's mock draft, on the 2009 Draft section of the Forum

thanks