Originally posted by Giedi:
Originally posted by thl408:
Fullbacks are running backs. I know the OP doesn't want to admit it because it doesn't support this thread. Perhaps change the thread title to: 49ers DEAD LAST in NFL in Receptions by Tail Backs (by a wide margin)
Or Halfbacks. That would work too.
Agree. On the Fullback / Halfback definitions. It also depends on the system run. One back sets - do you call the lone back a RB or a FB? On three back diamond sets, who's the FB and who's the RB? I like your definition better. Now, assuming we use your definition, and the *tailback* is dead last in receptions, there has to be a reason why that is. One reason I can think of is choice and scheme. Choice being in Kaepernick's hands and scheme being that by design the 49ers don't throw it to the tailback that often. Is this a bad thing? I dunno, I personally don't think so considering we've been to the NFC CG three straight years using this scheme. As for Kaepernick, as he develops, I think you will see that the passes to the tailbacks will increase. Either way, it should improve this year, but even if it doesn't, I'm not too worried about it.
^^ I feel it is scheme and because Gore is so good with blitz pickup, he needs to fulfill his check release duty before releasing to a pattern. The other factor is that Kap will use his legs to scramble and sometimes that's a better option than throwing a checkdown. There were a few times Gore acting as a lead blocker for Kap on a scramble was the better option than Kap throwing a short pass to Gore. So for every Kap scramble, we may be able to consider it a "checkdown", even though he's not throwing a pass.
Not all passes to the RBs have to be checkdowns. Here is Gore's longest catch of the season that goes for 29 yards. (His next longest is 14 yards).
Miller was going for a block the whole way. I was wondering why the 49ers didn't run this play again during the season. . Was there something the Titans were doing that stood out?...Notice the FIVE down linemen. The 49ers wanted to quickly attack the edge of the formation and a nice little swing pass did the trick.