2019-2020 NFL Season Thread [ARCHIVED] Football • Page 1905

Running backs have to protect the ball more often, take more hits, and get away from more defenders than TE have to.

@socklord the reason tight ends are more efficient per touch is because they’re mostly only thrown the ball when they are open. RB routinely have to fool at least one guy every play to get anywhere... and often, more than that if the team doesn’t have a passing threat to stop opponents from stacking the box. RB are both leaned on more often and have to work much harder to get yards than TE so I see it as a more valuable skillset in theory.

@CarpetElf I also don’t entirely agree that RBs have easy blocking assignments compared to TE either - blocking in space is hard in its own right and requires you to quickly read a blitz and take the right angle quickly. It doesn’t require as much blocking technique but there’s a very slim margin for error. And keep in mind I would say the RB who aren’t good at this really aren’t worth resigning. A RB who really blocks can help your passing offense as much and arguably more so than a TE - which is a rare trait, hence why I don’t think you can just draft another mid rounder to replace this skillset.

 

George Kittle is 1000 percent asked to do more in the blocking game.

 

Yeah he’s great but elite RB are pushing 2000 all purpose yards even though defenses every week focus on stopping them haha. AND still being asked to block bigger guys a solid chunk of the time. I just don’t think that should be minimized.

 

What George Kittle or any other tight end does as a blocker in the run game cannot be compared to what a running back does in pass protection.

Completely different assignments.

 

Depending on where the TE lines up in the formation, he's usually only making two reads as a blocker. Closest defender or most dangerous. Unless counter or trap is called.

RBs are usually asked to read 4 or 5 of the 8 gaps pre-snap, depending on the blocking scheme and formation. They also have to account for an offensive lineman getting beat off the LOS.

 

It's not minimized, it's just stating a fact.

 

Precisely what I was saying. Not comparable. One is complex reads and angles, one is just straight up blocking technique with maybe occasional difficult reads.

 

It is minimized when you say that a TE’s skillset is worth more when even Kittle is less central to the game plan than a top RB is

 

Yeah blocking as a TE is borderline mindless.

 

I mean, it's not minimized lol. Especially because a "top" RB in production isn't even necessarily a top blocking RB.

 

I'm specifically talking about George Kittle though. Wasn't it you that said his blocking was on par with the upper tier of right tackles?

 

Kind of.

If you're comparing what a TE and a RB do in pass protection, the RB has way more responsibility. That's a fact.

A consistent pass protector in the backfield allows for more versatility as you do not have to sub on passing downs.

However, you can't really compare an RB's pass protection to a TE's run blocking. It doesn't make any sense to compare the two. Pass pro and run blocking are absurdly different.

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The reason Kittle is a great run blocker is that he can move his initial assignment and get to the next level. Shanahan isn't doing anything new in the 49ers offense. It's the same stuff his dad used to do. He just uses a ton of run concepts and is an absolute master of calling the run game. What he does with Kittle and Juszczyk is simple, old school, counter football.

 

Kittle would get his ass kicked if he was asked to pass protect and run block defensive linemen and off ball blitzers for an entire game.

He has elite impact in spurts as a blocker, but he doesn't have to do it ALL game. The sample size isn't there to compare him to a tackle.

It'd be interesting to see a breakdown of how often Kittle is chipping or doubling a front seven defender versus how many times he's blocking them 1v1.

 

It kind of is though haha you don’t get to stay on the field that much to even create that much production unless you can block haha

Most of the top RB do it very well

 

Anybody got fun plans for the weekend/super bowl?

 

Nope

 

WINGS

 

Nah, I’m not super hyped about this matchup and I don’t go out/drink on work nights anymore. Probably just watch by myself at my apt lol

 

I have a fucking middle seat tomorrow

 

I bought a bag of Doritos I’m very excited to eat

 

My family is ordering some wings and I’m gonna order some sushi as well. Not sure how the combo and wings and sushi is gonna go, but they’re two of my favorite foods so I’m hype.

I also could have $240 rolling in my direction if the Chiefs win and the total score is 63 or higher. My brother’s place of work did a confidence pool and my brother and I are the only ones competing for first place. The loser finishes in second and gets $64, but I’m obviously hoping for the $240 so I can replace my broken cymbal.

 

Fight with Randall about Running Backs?

 

It'd be funny if you were like "boy I really hope I win less money"

 

I know it should go without saying, but I really had to make it clear that winning any money is nice, but OBVIOUSLY I want the big bucks

 

My cat is gonna watch with me