I just heard that the Chargers won't sign Lorenzo Neal. I know he is old, but he has paved the way for Corey Dillon and Ladanian Tomlinson. He also has ties to Brain Schotenheimer. I think he would be a huge asset to the running game. Can you imagine him plus Faneca and Stacy Andrews? The running game would be really good. Thoughts?
I wouldn't mind this....yeah he's old but I still wouldn't mind it. However, someone needs to tell Schot Jr. that we need to use a FB to lead the way.
We don't currently use a traditional I formation ever outside the 20s, but that doesn't mean that shouldn't change. Our offensive playcalling was terrible last year, and our running game was lousy... Even so, when we used a FB last season we averaged half a yard more per carry than when we didn't... Our Offense needs to be revised, and adding a great blocking FB and increasing the use of a straight I would be a a plus...
We certainly need a fullback, that's for sure. What did we rush for, about six TDs this year? The QBs had one each, I think Jones had the one at Miami, Leon might have had a couple. Look no further than that to understand why we kick FGs in the red zone instead of scoring TDs. Getting a FB and O-line will solve that problem a lot faster than drafting another QB who won't see the field this year.
For a cheap utility player, this would be an excellent signing. Veteran leadership and nasty lead blocking. What more can you ask for out of a tertiary position?
He's a great veteran Fullback who can block with the best of him , Why not he's an upgrade to joe kowaleski...
I agree, he certainly can't hurt us. I just wouldn't want to have to pay big money for him. I think SD is unloading their other running back through FA, too................Michael Turner.
We are not going to win next year and we need to get the blocking Fb of the Future. Neal is a great player but he is on borrowed time every game he plays. We need a young stud who can be groomed and ready when it is time to take it to the next level. If we were a player or two away he would be great but this is throwing salary at a player who will not be here when we are ready. Makes no sense to give somebody his age that kind of money.
Who is going to groom him? I say draft the FB of the future AND sign Neal. Neal is on borrowed time but he could be the one to groom the replacement for a year or two. Neal is not going to cost much, especially with the amount of cap space the Jets have. He will instantly improve the running game and the blocking in general. Blocking is one of the biggest priorities for this team, short and long term. You won't find a better one out there, no matter how old he is.
yup Neal is probably the best FB in the NFL even at his ripe old age of 37. But seriously, Neal would give us one hell of an upgrade over the H-backs we have been using. I like Kowalewski, he has potential to be a role player, however, that wont even be as a full back. However, he has made some solid plays, and he hasnt had a soul to teach him what the hell to do out there as a FB. So bring in Neal let him be our workhorse for1-3 years till he hangs em up, and groom a young guy behind him like Kowalewski or an Owen Schmitt perhaps....
it drives me nuts that we're talking about needing a fullback, when we let askew go to the buccs. was'nt he a pretty good blocker, who we never used?
Askew was anything but a blocking fullback. He was drafted to replace Richie Anderson / Jerald Sowell as a receiving fullback who can do a jack of all trades sort of thing but he never seemed to find a groove. His best success came when he was temporarily used as a HB due to the amount of injuries we had, but even that didn't last very long. Askew was a good fit for Tampa because they used Mike Alstott primarily as a big runner, which most teams don't use their FB for. I believe that suited his style of play much better than what we had him doing (blocking, receiving).
Askew made the Pro Bowl because of the great job he did as a lead blocker this year. Go find some articles from Tampa about him, he was praised for his lead blocking, and little else... He wasn't drafted as such, but that's how he developed...