D Thomas's inportance as a pass blocking running back. | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

D Thomas's inportance as a pass blocking running back.

LikeUntoGod

LikeUntoGod

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w/o columbo on the line, perhaps we won't need a back blocking as much this year?
 
I honestly can't say I remember him a whole lot as a blocker last year. Thats probably a good thing.

I do remember Reggie throwing some good blocks though
 
LikeUntoGod said:
We simply do not have another running back who can pass block.
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Reggie is a good pass blocker, good at recognizing defenses and picking up blitzes. He's just not built like Thomas and we did target him in the passing game something like 52 times while Thomas only had something like 18 targets. The fact that we didn't use Reggie as much as a blocker in passing situations may be a reason he lasted 15 games last year.

Slaton and Miller though are not good pass blockers. Miller never had a knack for it in college so he's way behind the curve right now.
 
Running back who can pass block as well run block are called fullbacks.
Interesting the Dolphins are combing the reject for someone who fits this definition.
 
datruth55 said:
Reggie is a good pass blocker, good at recognizing defenses and picking up blitzes. He's just not built like Thomas and we did target him in the passing game something like 52 times while Thomas only had something like 18 targets. The fact that we didn't use Reggie as much as a blocker in passing situations may be a reason he lasted 15 games last year.

Slaton and Miller though are not good pass blockers. Miller never had a knack for it in college so he's way behind the curve right now.
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I saw Bush getting handled a lot also as he pass blocked. He would try hard but often just get overwhelmed. I think that not pass blocking a lot did save him some pain and injury.

I expect with Bush in the game the fullback or Fasano was kept in to block. With Thomas the targets changed. I'm sure defenses noticed that.
 
NorFlaFin said:
Running back who can pass block as well run block are called fullbacks.
Interesting the Dolphins are combing the reject for someone who fits this definition.
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I see your point but you will always need your tailback to be able to pass block. Moving C Clay to TE means we need to find a fullback and we also want a short yardage back. I think we are expecting ex-CFL J Messam to return from his injury. We signed him to a 3 year deal. If he does not return and J Lane will not work, we will look for another.
 
Reggie Bush was notorious in New Orleans for being a bad pass protector. This year he showed some toughness as I think he was hell-bent on proving the detractors wrong on all the criticized aspects of his game; like his avoiding contact, running out of bounds, can't run in between the tackles, can't stay healthy, could never be a 1000 yard back, and also the fact that he didn't show a willingness to throw his body at 250lb blitzing linebackers. I'll be interested to see if Reggie still runs with a chip on his shoulder this year like he did last year.
 
rob19 said:
Reggie Bush was notorious in New Orleans for being a bad pass protector. This year he showed some toughness as I think he was hell-bent on proving the detractors wrong on all the criticized aspects of his game; like his avoiding contact, running out of bounds, can't run in between the tackles, can't stay healthy, could never be a 1000 yard back, and also the fact that he didn't show a willingness to throw his body at 250lb blitzing linebackers. I'll be interested to see if Reggie still runs with a chip on his shoulder this year like he did last year.
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I agree. All of that motivated him to do what he did. I really hope he goes over 1000 this year again. He definitely gave it his all blocking and picking up blitzes, but I mean do you expect him to constantly stop pass rushers like a bigger back could?
 
Travis34 said:
I agree. All of that motivated him to do what he did. I really hope he goes over 1000 this year again. He definitely gave it his all blocking and picking up blitzes, but I mean do you expect him to constantly stop pass rushers like a bigger back could?
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Do I expect it constantly? No. I certainly don't think that's the proper way to utilize him. I think he's much better used slowing down the pass rush by catching screens and quick passes out of the back-field. If the situation arises though where he's asked to pass protect, I expect him to show a willingness to throw his body around if it means stopping a free rusher from getting to Tannehill. Saints fan know this better than any of us, but there was a couple situations in New Orleans where Sean Payton was mad at Reggie because he was in position to make blocks on blitzers and he whiffs & the guy ends up on top of Drew Brees; no coach wants that. This year he certainly showed more of a willingness to block, which is really all you can ask for from Reggie with his skinny frame.

Now that I think about it, we almost have a polar opposite situation from 2009 when both Ricky and Ronnie were superb pass protectors but everyone complained about their lack of game changing, break away speed. Hopefully Thomas stays healthy this year and gives us that reliable pass protector & power back.
 
LikeUntoGod said:
D Thomas has a unique blend of size and speed, and the Dolphins leaned on him for pass protection last season. He was on the field for 177 pass plays in 2011 and stayed in to block 44.6 percent of the time—the second-highest rate in the NFL.

We simply do not have another running back who can pass block.
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:lol: "unique blend of size and speed" ...4.61 and 228 lbs
 
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