Where Is The Dolphins H-Back?

 

Where is the Dolphins H-Back on the Miami roster?

Where is the Dolphins H-Back on the Miami roster?

Dolphins haven’t had an H-Back since Clay left for Buffalo.

Where is the Dolphins H-Back on the roster?

Last year, Cameron and Sims took a stab at it, and it was semi-successful in certain situations. Of course, there were a lot of situations where it was terrible enough for them to abandon the H-Back totally. The results added to their inability to run the ball inside, which cost Miami drives, games, and in the end, it was one factor that cost them the season.

They will need an “H” this year. Now matter how much you spread wide and try and work the space, there will be a time for tea-cup, smash mouth football – or at least the threat of it. When there is only one layer of blocking, all it takes is one defensive player to penetrate on a run play and then, “that’s all folks”.

I know the “good” old days of powering to victory as the main mode of attack are all but dead. There are only about a handful of fullbacks left in the league – near dinosaurs verging on extinction. But, an “H” is not simply a sledgehammer as most fullbacks were.

H-Backs are more than a simple sledgehammer.

H-Backs do provide a tool for blocking, but more importantly they allow scheme diversity, and if they are good enough, a mismatch with a linebacker. An “H” lining up inside forces opposing teams to squeeze the defense to protect the hashes. And the lack of an H-Back can force offenses into positions where they can’t dictate to the defense, and instead must either operate in a scheme, or call a play that’s not the most conducive for the situation.

Currently, on Miami’s roster are Cameron, Duarte, Thomas, Gray, Hughes, Jones, Sims, and Stoneburner. Either, Adam Gase intends not to have a H-Back once again this year, or they plan on one of these players assuming the role.

I won’t dare say I know more than Adam Gase about football – but, in my opinion, Miami must have a H-Back this year.


 

5 comments

  • Steve

    Admin

    If our Tight ends cannot block what are we asking Tannehill to do?, Our opposing Defenses will love this offense.

    Duarte said the NFL player whose style most resembles his is Washington tight end Jordan Reed.

    “I got a lot of comparisons to him and I definitely watched a lot of his games this year and tried to implement his quickness with his speed,” Duarte said. “The key awareness in route running transfers over to the same thing that I can do.”

    Duarte said he made a pre-draft visit to the Dolphins and loved it, adding, “It just felt like home.”

    Considering he’s a bit undersized for a tight end, he was asked whether it would be more accurate to describe him as an H-back.

    “Really, (I am) just trying to be an NFL tight end,” Duarte said. “Whatever these coaches want to use me as, that’s what I plan on coming in and doing and contributing in any way.”

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    Unlike the spread, which makes use of players that tend to be smaller than traditional tight ends, the Cardinal have legit, full-sized tight ends playing the H-back spot in various formations. Coby Fleener, Zach Ertz and Levine Toilolo, in the last few seasons in Palo Alto, have lined up on the line, off the line and split out wide, in the same fashion as their spread counterparts.

    Whether you’re looking at the monsters out at Stanford, or the likes of Orson Charles who was at Georgia, Tyler Eifert at Notre Dame and Eric Ebron at UNC, the athletes at the tight end position, today, are top flight guys. There are more of these elite athletes playing the position than ever before, and because of the options they present, the H-back spot has grown in prominence.

    That being Said Admin! I would rather have that extra blocking for the QB over everyone running passing routes?, The game is about moving the chains as Bret Favre used to say! Keep the chains moving. rather the QB run for a 1st down, or a short screen play etc. We need a power running game folks!

  • Steve

    Admin

    Made popular by Joe Gibbs during his Redskins days, under the current climate the H-back has taken on a whole new meaning as teams get better athletes and find ways to use them all over the field.

    Full disclosure, while I will use H-back here, I’m a bigger fan of calling them an “F,” “Flex” or a “Move” guy, but, H-back is the most popular term. Spread offense is what we have seen in the Miami Dolphins offense making Tannehill Shark Bait in the Back field with about 184 sacks since starting for the Dolphins.

    A lot is being invested in Tannehill for him to succeed the offensive line, wide receivers and Payton Manning mentorship etc.

    Here is the troubling part! The Pat’s, Jet’s and Bill’s have seen Tannehill in the spread offense for years without an H Back or Fullback to block for him so nothing has change if we are going to watch T in the back field by his self this season nothing has changed.

    I don’t know why its difficult for some coaches to realized that a linebacker, Corner, Safety etc. would rather tackle the smaller Running Back over a Netron Means, Ricky Williams, Larry Czonka type running backs. Having a spread offense looking to pass 90 % of the time Good Luck! This is not this QB strong Suit!
    I have a belief that a team that cannot run will not win the Big Games and the QB has to be able to carry his team. We have a winning team now! if a players is better passing while running that’s his strength, If the players is the fastest on the team why Tie him to the line etc. trying to fit my coaching scheme?

    Admin! The NFL has gotten Soft and one of the Keys to the fins is power Runners in the back field. Give me one Good H Back or Fullback for 3 of our running backs any day. Defenses I think are soft to a true running game. Watching the Dolphins throw long is like watching the heat missed their 3’s point shots.

    Rex Ryan with the Bills has got this part right: Jonathan William I thought the # 2 Running Back and Cardale Jones QB both were on my draft board heavy. These are two names the Dolphins will Defend this season! Verses our Dolphins spread offense with no one blocking in the back field?

    • admin

      Hey, Steve. I had an insane week and missed your comment…been super wild. Dunner thinks they’ll get that H, or F as you taught me. I hope so. I don’t think a true power game is a viable option anymore as the main aspect of a team, unless you have an outstanding D. In the old day, you could have Campbell, and that’s about it, and do pretty well. Not anymore because of the quick strike ability. So it would be nice to have Clay back or someone similar to offer options in protection, attack, and scheme. I hope we get one. The last pick the Te is said to not be able to block,and Sims and Cameron can’t do it…so, hopefully Gase has an ace up his sleeve!!

      • Steve

        Admin

        Seattle lost a Supper Bowl game with the notions We will pass over using our Running Back?

        • Steve

          Admin

          Bottom line the Dolphins need to learn who to block, how to block?
          The QB needs serious live drilling how to throw a screen when the blocking has collapsed, Tom Brady is the Best in my Books?

          When the Dolphin play a really physical team there are Too many Dolphins players I see Running backs just in the back field not blocking. Wide Receivers can block also without getting a penalty? And the QB need to know not to take a sack, run if need to, throw a screen etc. I rather see the QB run 3 plays for a 1st down vs. taking 1 sack. Learn to do the basic stuff well and while keeping the chains moving.

          We don’t have an elite passer so let keep this real!