Does cutting Brad Hoover mean a change of philosophy?

[TerriblePizza]

The fullback position itself has been fading from football over the last decade, and I believe last year we may have been the only team to carry two fullbacks on the roster. The position may join the center guard, slot back, wing back and others on the history heap. Of course, it may come back like the nose tackle position if a team starts using it in some way that shakes up the league.

Hoover is one of, if not the number one, my favorite Panthers of all time. He was just an all around great competitor and work horse. Fifty-three guys on a team like him wouldn't win every single game, but they would bring home championships every year.

But time was wearing on Hoover and the injuries were beginning to show. You could see him thinking about laying a hit on a defender before he did it and that spells trouble. Your battering ram can't flinch and still do its job.

You make a good point. Most teams nowadays don't even carry one TRUE fullback. Most play HB and FB or all converts from LB or HB.

[pantherfan49]

Hoov really only played in 8 full games last year. The tread was wearing thin.

Of all the cuts the Panthers made in the offseason, the two I wish we had back were Damien Lewis and Diggs. Lewis, because having one proven commodity at DT would be nice. Diggs, because he could still be manning the strong side, Anderson would be on the weak, and Beast would be back in the middle.

[CharlotteBeer.com]

Why not throw Jeff King in at fullback every now and again, while using Rosario and Barnidge as receiving tightends? He can obviously block, he seems about fullback size, and he'd be one more option should Moore need to get the ball out quickly.

[faultlessjoint]

Why not throw Jeff King in at fullback every now and again, while using Rosario and Barnidge as receiving tightends? He can obviously block, he seems about fullback size, and he'd be one more option should Moore need to get the ball out quickly.

Personally, I think Rosario did a better job at FB than Fiametta last year. I don't see why people think that Rosario can't block. He really put on some muscle last off season and did an excellent job blocking last year. Possibly the most underrated player on the team.

[CharlotteBeer.com]

Personally, I think Rosario did a better job at FB than Fiametta last year. I don't see why people think that Rosario can't block. He really put on some muscle last off season and did an excellent job blocking last year. Possibly the most underrated player on the team.

I don't think his blocking is that bad, either. I just think King would probably be a better fit as a situational fullback (assuming Fiammetta can't cut it), because Rosario is one hell of a receiver. I'm a big fan of Rosario and would like to see us use him more.

[panthers55]

I hear folks say that Hoover was injury prone and over the hill. Problem is that Fiametta was injured more than Hoover and his concussion was a lot more serious. Hoover could have played this year. Leg injuries don't linger from year to year but as we all know with Morgan, concussions surely can and often do. I am more worried about Fiametta being able to stand up to the abuse than I am Hoover who showed that he could still play. Wouldn't be surprised if Jackson replaces Fiametta this year who had done little to suggest he was worth the pick.

[Zod]

<--- Hates agreeing with P55

Hoov was the biggest blue collar player we have ever had. All he did was suit up, play through pain, and do what was asked of him without a complaint.

[panthers55]

I don't think his blocking is that bad, either. I just think King would probably be a better fit as a situational fullback (assuming Fiammetta can't cut it), because Rosario is one hell of a receiver. I'm a big fan of Rosario and would like to see us use him more.

King would be a lousy fullback. He doesn't block that well as a tight end when the guy is right in front of him. He would be even worse if he had to run and then block a guy like the fullback does.

And Rosario is not a great receiver. Barnidge is already better than he is and has a ton more upside. The fact that our tight ends over the past decade have been so crappy is the only reason Rosario gets any credit at all as a receiver. He is pretty slow, doesn't have great hands, doesn't put his body between the ball and defender well, and has little ability to run after the catch.

[Doyle]

No one else snatched him up so how do you figure it was a mistake?

[ncbobcat]

No one else snatched him up so how do you figure it was a mistake?

Fullback isn't utilized all that much anymore. Most teams have one on their roster. So it the position that's not in demand, no so much a reflection of the player. Carolina is one of a handful of teams that still uses a FB on a regular basis.

[Snake]

Hoover had back problems that were only gonna get worse. I think Tony will pan out come game time and you may even see Sutton back there at some point.

[ncbobcat]

The writing was on the wall the moment they drafted Fiametta.

We've drafted other FBs in the past, so it wasn't imminent. Salary, a looming lockout and the youth movement sealed Hoov's fate over a decline in ability.

[ncbobcat]

Hoover had back problems that were only gonna get worse. I think Tony will pan out come game time and you may even see Sutton back there at some point.

Really? You know that his back was permanently shot? I don't. Matter of fact the last interview I heard with Hoov, he said he was working out and felt great.

[Doyle]

Really? You know that his back was permanently shot? I don't. Matter of fact the last interview I heard with Hoov, he said he was working out and felt great.

Well whats he going to say? "Oh me back, Oh me back"