So why is mike Tolbert on this team?

[Navy_football]

Speaking of underutilized... this team needs to use Barnidge more. His blocking is improving alot, and the kid catches the ball when it's close to him. He's uses his body to shield defenders and uses his hands to catch the ball. I swear if Chud would just treat him like Shockey, we'd all be very surprised by what he can do.

[Anybodyhome]

Tolbert will get even fewer touches now that the Armanti Edwards has become an absolutely unstoppable force as a WR. Edwards' emergence as a true, legitimate, big time receiver likely spells the end for Tolbert, Barnidge, Gettis and possibly even Steve Smith. The simple fact that Edwards caught a pass allows the Panthers to focus on redistributing their salary cap to more pressing needs... like a punter.

(posted in the utmost sarcasm allowable on this board)

[ElkinPanthersFan]

Tolbert will get even fewer touches now that the Armanti Edwards has become an absolutely unstoppable force as a WR. Edwards' emergence as a true, legitimate, big time receiver likely spells the end for Tolbert, Barnidge, Gettis and possibly even Steve Smith. The simple fact that Edwards caught a pass allows the Panthers to focus on redistributing their salary cap to more pressing needs... like a punter.

(posted in the utmost sarcasm allowable on this board)

Hilarious

[YourManInAmsterdam]

Underutilized. The guy has really good hands and we see, what, maybe one checkdown pass to him per game?

[Zod]

He will be on the team next year and for years to come.

D-Will will not.

[chknwing]

for this

[Argus Plexus]

He was cheap.

[jtm]

Everyone wondered why we brought him on in the offseason and nothing has changed. He might be a great player but not needed. More Riveria and Hurney incompetence.

[4Corners]

Yeah I was a big fan of the Tolbert signing but he hasn't done much. Not sure if he's on the team next year.

[Zod]

He took a pay cut to come here and has great chemistry with the team.

I am a big Tolbert fan, he isn't going anywhere.

[4Corners]

He took a pay cut to come here and has great chemistry with the team.

I am a big Tolbert fan, he isn't going anywhere.

12 million goes a helluva lot further in NC than it does in southern California.

Tolbert is a football player. The dude would probably kick for ya if the coach asked him to.

But like I said man, he hasn't done much this season. Not a knock against Mike more a knock on the coaching staff. RBs need to find a rhythm.

[Keith Moons Liver]

He will be on the team next year and for years to come.

D-Will will not.

I hope so. Tolbert is a dangerous weapon and I'm excited to see what the new head coach will do with him.

[Matthias]

When are people going to realize he's a fullback? When is the last time you saw a fullback do more than Tolbert?

Maybe we don't utilize him as much as we could but we have Stewart, Williams, and Cam fugging Newton.

He's not a fullback, or at least not a good one. Jacob Hester probably would have been better to sign, than Mike Tolbert.

[Greg Schiano]

I'm a fan of Tolbert personally, I think he is just being underutilized. Very talented back and was a huge part of San Diego's offense. I wanted him in Free Agency, hats off to you guys for getting him. Here is a assessment I did of him after watching some film.

In action

1. In the first few plays I watched of Tolbert, he doesn't attempt a chip block. He releases into the flat clean and quick, looks almost by design. Still, would like to see him get a piece of the ends.

2. Here he eats a good blitz by #56 of the Vikings, it does appear that he is getting rocked, but the only thing going backward realistically is his head. He maintains his base and stonewalls Henderson.

3. Makes the outside rush a non-factor. Good base, clean block, no pressure on Rivers.

4. Mike waits patiently for a defender to break through the line on a jailbreak blitz. On this play, a defensive tackle begins to split the guard and center, Mike doesn't hesitate to lay a strong block on the tackle. This buys Rivers an additional 1-2 seconds to make a throw down field.

5. On this play, Tolbert tries to block a linebacker low but couldn't adjust to his change of direction. Blocking low is often utilized by smaller backs on larger players, but in order to execute this style of block he's got to wait a fraction longer so the linebacker cannot alter his direction. Tolbert blocks too soon wiffing his block and letting the quarterback get pressured.

6. As the game progresses and Tolbert is more involved, he is doing more. On this play, the end makes a good swim move on the tackle for seperation, but Tolbert gets a piece of him.

7. Although he isn't the shiftiest back you'll see, on this play the Vikings linebacker squares up perfectly with him to make a form tackle, but Tolbert gets good pad level himself and bounces off the tackle for a short touchdown run.

8. This is something the Buccaneers need desperately. Here, once again, Tolbert sets up a good base and gives Rivers an extension of his 5 man pocket. When you look at this picture from a distance, you don't realize at first that Tolbert is a running back, he looks and acts the part of an additional lineman.

9. Here he is setting up a base again. Tolbert angles himself flush with the tackle's left outside shoulder, giving him the option of chipping the end and/or taking the blitzing corner. This also takes away the most direct route to the quarterback for the blitzing corner. Now the Corner must try to make a quick outside move to beat Tolbert, which does not happen. Once again, he squares his shoulders and locks on a perfectly executed block.

Highlights

The Stats that Matter

Among tailbacks, "Big Mike" recorded the 4th most receptions and finished 3rd in the league for 1st down receptions (only behind Sproles and Rice). These numbers highlight some of his effectiveness at moving the chains. Despite finishing 4th in receptions however, he only finishes 8th in receiving yards, bringing to question his ability pick up extra yardage. His numbers aren't overwhelming, but he is definitely an integral part of San Diego's offense.

Observations

- When he pass protects, he is very patient. A lot of backs will try to take an aggressive pass protection approach, going after the blitzes, essentially trying to meet them at the line. Tolbert tends to build his base and wait for the blitzers to make it through the line. Warrick Dunn earned his calling in the NFL as one of the greater 3rd down blocks, not only because of what he did when he caught it, but his ability to pick up blitzes. Tolbert's patience in blitz pickup rivals Dunn's. Simply put, the running back's job in pass protection is similar to that of a safety, the last line of defense for a defender to get to the quarterback. The difference between a quarterback progressing a 10-15 yard route and a 25-30 yard route is a matter of a few seconds. Josh Freeman was not afforded those few seconds last season.

- He lacks good hip movement, doesn't seem to have a lot of flexibility. His hip movements are very subtle, which for his short and stocky frame is not very shocking. This causes him to struggle to change directions very quickly, he seems to be a more straight line runner, definitely doesn't make a lot of players miss.

- He's got to be more consistent releasing into the flats with getting a chip on the end. If the Buccaneers keep Trueblood in the NFC south with the Speed Rushing LEs, this will be critical. Just getting a hand on a defensive end will be enough to to slow them down and make them hesitate so the tackle can reconnect.

- Plays with great pad level, on his blocks and his runs. Very low center of gravity, makes him difficult to bring down for even larger linebackers. He doesn't block low often, he tends to be able to stonewall smaller defensive tackles. (picture 4).

- Will need to develop better timing on his cut blocks. (Picture 5). He's not going to be able to block what he cannot see. If you put your head down too soon, the linebacker can change directions easily and make a play on the quarterback. Kraigg Lumpkin notoriously had trouble with this last season. Ideally you want him to build his base, but certain situations call for specific blocks. He's not going to block a Casey Hampton or N. Sue up high.