Originally posted by DRUSTOPO:
Originally posted by Frisco69ers:
Originally posted by NCommand:
Exciting and I agree with you all...he will allow VD to be free and move around all over the place to create mismatches whereby in the past, we had to leave VD in for pass protection or the run game. Now McDonald can do all the dirty work AND be a legit receiving target and outlet for CK which will be VERY scary for defenses. Now VD can line up at all three WR positions, on the LOS and even in the backfield from the Q formation. It's an absolute nightmare for defenses.
ManRoman will have a field day drawing plays in the sand this year!
PS: With VD, McDonald and Boldin, we now have some "men" that can match up against a roided up Hawk defenses with their own set of rules. Bring it!
I think Walker already did alot of the dirty work last year.
And also expect to see more of Celek in blocking packages. He is a good run blocker
Celek is an excellent blocker, just needs to work on his hands. It will be very telling which direction we are going if we keep a receiving H-back like Gray over Celek. If Vance can prove his size and strength translate to inline blocking ( Im very confident they will ) and we also keep a great blocking TE like Celek as well, then it may hint at a bit of a role change for Vern. If we can get Vance and Celek staying in to block more, VD may have a chance to get freed up for more work outside and some of the Walker motion plays. Now if we keep Gray over Celek, that may hint at little to no change for Vern who will be asked to stay in like he did last year.
Should be interesting
This is an intriguing battle for me (as well)...you've got Celek over Gray, Haralson over Johnson and Dixon over a pure FB in Jason Scheplar to back up Miller. There are more at ILB/OLB and S/CB but these are my tops.
And I really like your take here...interesting perspective for sure!
It's funny b/c to me, IIRC, it was Celek's hands that landed him a job last pre season; not his blocking. The dude had 4 catches for 51 yards though. I have this feeling that Gray will end up being a more athletic Walker, lining up all over, mostly focused in pass protection, blocking (sealing the edge; wham blocks) but also with the ability to catch/RAC as well...a triple threat when you add in ST. I think he pushes Celek right off the team.
McDonald and VD rotate and both become more featured in our Q formations...interchangeable roles, really, moving from the LOS to the backfield to the slot and even out wide. I don't see how Mangini doesn't feature these weapons and instant-mismatches while relegating the young WR's to (opposite of Boldin) slow development over time until veterans such as Manningham, Crabtree (maybe), etc. come back.
All that said, I absolutely see where you are going here and I agree, I think whoever makes this 53 is going to shed some light as to the type of offense we'll run this year...aggressive, conservative, pass more, run more, etc.?
[ Edited by NCommand on Jun 18, 2013 at 12:12 PM ]