Tolbert *might* be the last All-Pro fullback

[tiger7_88]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/01/08/associated-press-will-re-examine-the-makeup-of-all-pro-teams/

 

Quote

 

But that may change. Barry Wilner of the Associated Press tells PFT via email that the AP will re-examine the makeup of its All-Pro team going forward.

That’s good news. The AP’s All-Pro team has been used for decades as the semi-official All-Pro team for the NFL, and it should reflect what the NFL actually looks like. It doesn’t. Today’s passing attacks mean that we see three-receiver sets on the field far more often than we see even one fullback. We also see two-tight end sets far more than we see two running backs on the field together, and yet the All-Pro ballot has room for two running backs and only one tight end.

What would make the most sense is for the All-Pro ballot to have space for one running back, two wide receivers, one tight end and one “flex” position where the voters could choose a fullback, a third receiver, a second tight end or a second running back. If the voters feel that a fullback had a good enough season that he’s deserving of All-Pro consideration, they’d still be free to vote for one. But a fullback on the All-Pro team shouldn’t be automatic anymore.

 

 

[LUUUUUKE]

I say leave it as is, but I understand the reasoning for a change

[iamhubby1]

Change schmange. I've been the same for umphy years and I'm doing just fine.

[TbTeRRoR]

stop worrying about this *@% and fix the  @%#@  @#%@ refs hell if the NFL won't maybe the AP will

[Peppers90 NC]

I don't really consider him a fullback

[jdpanther5]

I do think it's weird that, on the offensive side, there's 12 men: a second RB. So 3 of the 12 offensive all-pros were Peterson, Martin, and Tolbert. And, honestly, Tolbert makes it because of his running back abilities. So 3 running backs, meanwhile Olsen and Hopkins are relegated to 2nd team. I kinda like the flex option idea, maybe have two of them: RB/FB and WR/TE in place of the FB and second RB slots. So instead of Martin and Tolbert you have one of them + one of Olsen/Hopkins. 

On the defense, 12 men makes sense due to the 4-3/3-4 dynamic. However, 4-3 OLBs almost always get shafted in favor of 3-4 pass-rushing OLBs. TD may have bucked the trend this time, but he got in by tying Khalil Mack and whatever percentage of plays he had at that position. Just call Mack what he is, an Edge Rusher. And instead of marginalizing the TDs and Lavonte Davids have a separate category for 4-3 OLBs, even if that means including them with ILB. Maybe 4 Edge rushers (DEs and 3-4 OLBs) and 3 traditional linebackers (ILBs and 4-3 OLBs).

So this year that lineup would look like:

EDGE: Watt, Mack (just one of him), Von Miller, Wilkerson

Linebackers: Luke, TD, Bowman

Sorry, got kinda rambly after awhile. 

[Wundrbread33]

I hate to be that guy, but what exactly has Tolbert done to deserve all pro/ pro bowl status?

Play a position absent of popular names?

I love Tolbert, but he is essentially a backup running back that blocks from time to time.

That isn't an all pro.

 

[The Huddler]

21 minutes ago, Wundrbread33 said:

I hate to be that guy, but what exactly has Tolbert done to deserve all pro/ pro bowl status?

Play a position absent of popular names?

I love Tolbert, but he is essentially a backup running back that blocks from time to time.

That isn't an all pro.

 

Youre right. 

[CoastalCat]

14 hours ago, tiger7_88 said:

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/01/08/associated-press-will-re-examine-the-makeup-of-all-pro-teams/

 

 

That's dumb. The third-best WR in football will overshadow the #1 FB every year. Lame. Glad Tolbert was able to get in there, but feel bad for guys like Marcel Reece who might be up for it one day.

[KSpan]

4 hours ago, King said:

Tolbert won by default. Carolina is the only team left that actually uses a fullback.

There are more teams, but Tolbert is the only one who notches any kind of stats.

[TN05]

Better way would to have teams be like this:
*1 QB
*2 RB
*1 FB
*2 TE
*3 WR
*2 T
*2 G
*1 C

That's 14 players, but enough to run a good running offense (1 RB, 1 FB, 1 TE, 2 WR) or passing offense (1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WR)

On defense, though, they need to do this:
*2 3-4 DE
*2 4-3 DE
*2 DT
*2 3-4 OLB
*2 4-3 OLB
*2 ILB
*2 CB
*2 S

Same as on offense, that's 14 players - enough to run a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme. DTs and ILBs are similar enough that they are shared for both 3-4 and 4-3, but I've split the ends and OLBs so two from each system are chosen. 3-4 defensive ends (save the pass rushers) and 4-3 OLBs are ridiculously underrepresented every year because they don't usually get a lot of sacks.

Oh, and I'm also banning people from voting for players at two different positions. That's stupid. Teams can decide before the vote what position their player is eligible for.

[tiger7_88]

3 hours ago, TN05 said:

Better way would to have teams be like this:
*1 QB
*2 RB
*1 FB
*2 TE
*3 WR
*2 T
*2 G
*1 C

That's 14 players, but enough to run a good running offense (1 RB, 1 FB, 1 TE, 2 WR) or passing offense (1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WR)

On defense, though, they need to do this:
*2 3-4 DE
*2 4-3 DE
*2 DT
*2 3-4 OLB
*2 4-3 OLB
*2 ILB
*2 CB
*2 S

Same as on offense, that's 14 players 

You listed 16 players on defense, brah. :P

[panthers55]

3 hours ago, TN05 said:

Better way would to have teams be like this:
*1 QB
*2 RB
*1 FB
*2 TE
*3 WR
*2 T
*2 G
*1 C

That's 14 players, but enough to run a good running offense (1 RB, 1 FB, 1 TE, 2 WR) or passing offense (1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WR)

On defense, though, they need to do this:
*2 3-4 DE
*2 4-3 DE
*2 DT
*2 3-4 OLB
*2 4-3 OLB
*2 ILB
*2 CB
*2 S

Same as on offense, that's 14 players - enough to run a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme. DTs and ILBs are similar enough that they are shared for both 3-4 and 4-3, but I've split the ends and OLBs so two from each system are chosen. 3-4 defensive ends (save the pass rushers) and 4-3 OLBs are ridiculously underrepresented every year because they don't usually get a lot of sacks.

Oh, and I'm also banning people from voting for players at two different positions. That's stupid. Teams can decide before the vote what position their player is eligible for.

I agree. You can just as easily add a position as change it. Fullback is such a thankless job most of the time that if we don't keep the category it won't be picked. Most of those utility guys will be sexier picks than Tolbert but maybe Carolina is the only team that really uses the fullback properly. And Maybe Tolbert is a unique player who can slam into brick walls all day and still run with power and determination and has great hands and is good after the catch. For my money at his position, Tolbert is every much an All Pro and it isn't close.

[caatfan]

19 hours ago, tiger7_88 said:

one “flex” position where the voters could choose a fullback, a third receiver, a second tight end or a second running back.

It's a good idea but setting it up so some of these dumbass fans can figure that out may be a challenge. 

 

3 hours ago, TN05 said:

Oh, and I'm also banning people from voting for players at two different positions. That's stupid

Yeah I didn't like Mack making the team at 2 positions.