Hi.

Every season I pick an area to try and discover the magic under the bonnet of MFN. This season Im looking at the FB and especially the FB-RB relationship. (you'll see why later!)

The FB has lots of roles but, (i thought) the classic activity would be the clearing the first second level blocker for the RB. However I am finding that hard to manage - I see it as a three part equation - (1) the play (2) The key players, and ofcourse (3) the defence (and the rng!).

Essentially the problem I seem to have is finding both the right plays, and the perhaps the right combination of players (the O Line is good btw) - espcially in speed and acceleration - I lost a star RB who retired early (!) and now I have sp(88) ac(84) FB and am working with a sp(41) ac (47) RB.

First suspicion - if the RB and FB are so mismatched in sp/acc - do they lose cohesion in the play? It feels like the FB is making the hole and the RB is too far behind and tends to wander off (presumably akin to that whole Red Sea debacle..... )

So I will continue to experiment with players and plays - but I'm pretty inexperienced (season 3) so any insights would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers. Mutts.

Any RB with speed in the 40s will get crushed trying to run the ball. So first, replace the RB with a FA who has good speed and acceleration, preferably one who has decent intelligence, strength, route running, ball carry, and avoid fumble ratings as well. Then run the play 4-5 times a game until both players have experience with it. If it's preseason, run it more than that.

move the FB with 88 speed to RB where he should drop some weight and gain speed over 90....playing a RB with 40 speed is a recipe for having absolutely no running game.

Pick up a blocking FB in free agency or look at moving a TE to FB

Thanks for the advice, and so I've traded for a temp faster (older) RB and working on a long term replacement. Cheers

OK faster? What speed?

How much does the FB weigh?
Whats his Ball Carry and avoid fumble?

so now have a FB Spd 88 Acc 84 RBlck 70 and RB Spd 87 Acc65 Route 100 BallC 90 avoid Fumb 100. The RB is a one season player given age but I think this gives a decent hope of saving a good season.

FBs give me woodies. :P Easier to find a cheap high spd RB and test them than to find a quality FB that can go in both FB and TE

I'd keep as a FB, and not hesitate to use as a powerback, especially in GL. and 1/1/3 power runs.
But that's me, averaging 5+ YPC...
I always think of ol' Louie Chu who gave me a couple glorious years in the run game at 80+ spd and 70+ ACC...
Hall of famer.
https://vikings.myfootballnow.com/player/141

Pass to a good FB from the backfield and watch him bulldoze CBs.

STR less than 55? RB. More than? FB.

Personally.....

I would move TE Kelly 81 speed and FB Zodiac 88 speed to RB...Zodiac could lose 40 pounds and max out at 93-94 speed.

Use Planck at FB with his 84 speed and 90 potential run block.

Zodiac RB1 93-94 SP
Gumm RB2 90 SP
Wise RB3 86 SP
Kelly RB4 87-88 SP
CUT....RB
Burks, Heisenberg and Bohr...all useless.

This gives you a speedy FB....2 +80 rated TEs and 4 RBs....speeds 93,90,86,88.

Thats just my opinion and how I would play it....a potential 93-94 RB is a game changer and having 4 deep allows the offense to run through the backfield with a balanced attack.

Any way you play it.....you have some nice pieces to work with....good luck and have fun!