Full Back issues?

Originally posted by ninertico:
22 minutes ago - by Michael Erler - FB Norris has has boot on left foot, blocking also poor
FB Moran Norris was wearing a walking boot on his left foot in the locker room, but he said it was just precautionary. Norris’ poor lead blocking has been one of the numerous reasons that RB Frank Gore has gotten off to an awful start in the 2011 season. 49ers RapidReports

Hmmmm....I really haven't focused on Norris' blocking, but damn. This sucks. We don't have another blocker except for the rook, right?

I didn't really notice norris against the cowboys, other than the time he motioned out to split end. Against the seahawks, I remember him missing some blocks and getting blown up.

The rookie is better than Norris, this is a good thing. Look at Gore's stats and tell me a change isnt needed, at this point I'd like to see more Miller/Hunter combos than Norris/Gore. Any time Norris goes into the offensive huddle its a guarenteed 8-9man box, he is the biggest "tell" of the offense and needs to go.

Originally posted by unst4bl3:
I didn't really notice norris against the cowboys, other than the time he motioned out to split end. Against the seahawks, I remember him missing some blocks and getting blown up.

Morris did the same in this game, blocking the wrong guys and missing blocks.

we will sign gherhart in a couple years

I watch a lot of Titan's games, and they use a FB often. It's amazing to me how well they do it. Arhad Hall is a fantastic lead blocker. He's not as big as some, but is fast and athletic, so he gets in position very well. He's also a threat to catch the ball too. He's suspended for the first four games this year, so they traded to get Quinn Johnson from the Packers (A guy I wanted the 49ers to draft a couple of years ago). He's been with the team for barely two weeks now, but you can see him make an impact. He looks like an extra offensive linemen in the backfield, and he punishes defenders when he hits him. But this weekend when the Titans were trying to run out the last 6 minutes of the game with the lead, they threw to Quinn in the flat - and he picked up 13 yards and an easy first down.

This is the kind of versatility that we need. That is what is the key part of the FB in a WCO. Morris doesn't have it. He's too slow to be an effective lead blocker, and no threat at all to catch the ball. Look at the FB's throughtout 49er history, and you will see that all were pretty athletic and very versatile. Tom Rathman (the absolute prototype for a FB, period), William Floyd, Fred Beasley. We had a chance to draft Quinn Johnson or Tony Fiametta a couple of years ago, either of these guys would have been an immediate and massive upgrade over Norris. Owen Marecic this year could have been an improvment as well.

Yet we continue to stick with Norris, why? Because Frank Gore likes him.

Originally posted by RDB4216:

I watch a lot of Titan's games, and they use a FB often. It's amazing to me how well they do it. Arhad Hall is a fantastic lead blocker. He's not as big as some, but is fast and athletic, so he gets in position very well. He's also a threat to catch the ball too. He's suspended for the first four games this year, so they traded to get Quinn Johnson from the Packers (A guy I wanted the 49ers to draft a couple of years ago). He's been with the team for barely two weeks now, but you can see him make an impact. He looks like an extra offensive linemen in the backfield, and he punishes defenders when he hits him. But this weekend when the Titans were trying to run out the last 6 minutes of the game with the lead, they threw to Quinn in the flat - and he picked up 13 yards and an easy first down.

This is the kind of versatility that we need. That is what is the key part of the FB in a WCO. Morris doesn't have it. He's too slow to be an effective lead blocker, and no threat at all to catch the ball. Look at the FB's throughtout 49er history, and you will see that all were pretty athletic and very versatile. Tom Rathman (the absolute prototype for a FB, period), William Floyd, Fred Beasley. We had a chance to draft Quinn Johnson or Tony Fiametta a couple of years ago, either of these guys would have been an immediate and massive upgrade over Norris. Owen Marecic this year could have been an improvment as well.

Yet we continue to stick with Norris, why? Because Frank Gore likes him.

I agree with everything except on Marecic. Reports out of Cleveland have been critical of him and say he's done a very poor job.

Originally posted by OnTheClock:
I agree with everything except on Marecic. Reports out of Cleveland have been critical of him and say he's done a very poor job.

That's why I threw in the "could have been" on Marecic. The other two I mentioned I felt were clearly better than Norris. Although I feel Marecic has a chance to be, especially if coached by someone like Rathman, he's a bit raw at this point. He does a lot of this "ok" and some "good", but doesn't seem excellent in any area really.

Don't want any of our players injured... just want Norris unemployed.

they need to let the rookies play. Get Miller on the field. Same for Aldon and culliver. the guys in front of them aren't cutting it anyway.

Originally posted by lamontb:
they need to let the rookies play. Get Miller on the field. Same for Aldon and culliver. the guys in front of them aren't cutting it anyway.

Agreed even with the rookies on the field, they could still win against the bad teams. Then the rookies will have some experience going into the NFC west home stretch which looks like it'll come down to the last game of the season again before there is a division champion. For christs sake put in Hunter already, how is a weapon like that who has proven he can pass protect too not get on the field more often. He's one of the few players on offense who doesnt look like hes playing in slow motion.

I'm hate'n Norris like some of you hate'n on Alex Smith. I rather have Rathman suit up again. At least he can catch a 5 yard pass without having to backpedal. His blocking just end up giving Gore another body to trample over. Somehow he represent Nolan and Singletary offensive ineptitude to me. Cut 'em!

Originally posted by 5280High:
Agreed even with the rookies on the field, they could still win against the bad teams. Then the rookies will have some experience going into the NFC west home stretch which looks like it'll come down to the last game of the season again before there is a division champion. For christs sake put in Hunter already, how is a weapon like that who has proven he can pass protect too not get on the field more often. He's one of the few players on offense who doesnt look like hes playing in slow motion.

Exaclty. you can't win in this league anymore by having draftees sitting on the bench(unless it's a qb). What's the point of building through the draft if the guys you draft can't beat out the guys who aren't cutting it. How can Hunter be a steal if he doesn't get any clock. How can project guys like Culliver and Aldon get better at technique on the sideline. Parys had a good game 1, but when was the last time we said that bout him. The entire secondary is in shambles. But yet we have a 1st rounder and 3rd rounder drafted to address these issues on the bench. The Packers are super bowl champs with a loaded roster and yet their rookies are making immediate impacts. How is it possible that our draft picks are just chilling. Get them in the game and get them some seasoning.