Dolphins give D-lineman Earl Mitchell tryout at fullback

DKphin · Aug 16, 2015

Joe Philbin has never hidden the fact he's fundamentally opposed to carrying a fullback on his team.

The Miami Dolphins run a spread offense that typically features only one tailback in the backfield, and when the offense does need to use power packages they lean on the two-tight end sets.
The Dolphins haven't had a fullback on the 53-man roster since the first month of the 2013 season, which was when Tyler Clutts was picked up off waivers from the Texans and lasted four games in Miami. And before that Jorvorskie Lane spent the 2012 season in Miami.
However, Philbin does realize there are situations, and packages where the offense is begging for a more physical presence to gain tough yards. That explains why Earl Mitchell, the team's starting defense tackle, spent an entire period of Sunday's practice working on offense as a fullback.

Read more: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-dolphins/fl-dolphins-news-0817-20150816-story.html

Sons Of Shula · Aug 16, 2015

And please, no one mention that he caught a pass out of the backfield as well. . . Oops. :crazy:

DolphinDevil28 · Aug 16, 2015

Shhhhhhhhhhh!

67Stang · Aug 16, 2015

Add Suh as the tailback in Jumbo package! Ahhhhhh yaaaaaa!

LANGER72 · Aug 16, 2015

They tried that with Solai a few years ago. It didn't work. They need a guy that is willing to knock down a wall with his helmet.

Tannchise · Aug 16, 2015

could be a two point conversion play?

Chubby · Aug 16, 2015

67Stang said:
Add Suh as the tailback in Jumbo package! Ahhhhhh yaaaaaa!

All jokes aside I would love to see the Rook Phillips as Tailback behind Earl Mitchel... He is extremely athletic, could out jump many defenders, out bull rush many defenders and has the athleticism to surprise jump over a pile. Think about it!
They wont do that to not overload him but would be a fun wrinkle. Could rush, Pass or block

BlueUndertow · Aug 16, 2015

Charles Clay was always available to play Fullback as needed for the Dolphins. So not having a "fullback" on the roster since the beginning of the 2013 season is a bit misleading.

EDIT: oh, it's an Omar Kelly article. So not surprising that his representation of the situation isn't entirely accurate.

Ruckus45 · Aug 16, 2015

Yes yes yes! I would love to see a DT bulldoze any of the AFCE teams for a score.

dlockz · Aug 16, 2015

just use a te. nothing about mitchell as fb seems smart but u never know. nothing particularly athletic about him

hoops · Aug 16, 2015

Theres no place for it in the offense nor should there be

Im hoping this is like the dallas thomas reps at tackle...off the table

ShorePhin · Aug 16, 2015

This is just to put a bee in the bonnet of the league which is why they did it in open practice. Sounds like a perfect we are in a desperate need of a two point conversion play though. If the opposing DC remembers this little shenanigan he will have his defense converge on Big Earl as him being on the field is obvious making someone like Landry wide open like on last weeks little curl route he ran for that TD but if he catches him sleeping all the better for us then. I can't see them using this too often you may get away with it once or twice thats it. Every team has this type of stuff at the back end of the play book

Sons Of Shula · Aug 16, 2015

dlockz said:
just use a te. nothing about mitchell as fb seems smart but u never know. nothing particularly athletic about him

hooshoops said:
Theres no place for it in the offense nor should there be

Earl Mitchell played at Arizona as a 250# Fullback and Tight End who had 13 catches for 174 yards and 2 TD's before being transitioned to DT. He's definitely athletic enough, it's one of his outstanding traits.

Let's also thank our lucky stars that he doesn't have stiff hips as he can play with good leverage, balance, leg drive, possesses a good initial burst to penetrate and a secondary burst to close. Decent hands as well.

BigNastyFish · Aug 16, 2015

Personally I'd like to see Luc get some experimentation @FB. But hey, whatever works...

normaldude · Aug 16, 2015

dlockz said:
just use a te. nothing about mitchell as fb seems smart but u never know. nothing particularly athletic about him

temp081615-TrainingCamp-RI-1-32--nfl_mezz_1280_1024.jpg

temp081615-TrainingCamp-RI-1-33--nfl_mezz_1280_1024.jpg

temp081615-TrainingCamp-BD-0476--nfl_mezz_1280_1024.jpg

Dolphins give D-lineman Earl Mitchell tryout at fullback

More options

DKphin

Active Roster

Sons Of Shula

not a dull boy

DolphinDevil28

I like boobs.

67Stang

LANGER72

Active Roster

Tannchise

Chubby

SUPERFAN

BlueUndertow

Active Roster

Ruckus45

dlockz

Hall Of Famer

hoops

Tua time!

ShorePhin

Active Roster

Sons Of Shula

not a dull boy

BigNastyFish

normaldude

Starter