Hillis and Cribbs Backfield

[Riffer X]

Was just listening to Booms and Kiley and they brought this up, which is something I have wanted to do for awhile. This would be great in a two back set, giving options for quick Cribbs swing passes or Hills hitting off tackle etc.

I realized this is probably a pipe dream, but at least start giving us Hards and Hillis together. I see no reason why Marecic should even be playing right now over a potential weapon.

[Jax Dawg]

Hell, even the brilliant mind of Tony Grossi (cough, cough) has wanted Cribbs in the backfield...At this point in his development what's there to lose? Cribbs works best in space and a dump off out in the flat or get a blocker or two out there for a HB screen - TD!

[Masters]

What allignment are you going to put them in? It's not going to work out out of the I or the offset I. Not unless Hillis is now the FB. You can do it with the split, but frankly running out of the split isn't very likely and usually not productive because the back has to come all the way across the formation.

This just sounds Madden-esc to me. If you want to use Cribbs out of the backfield then you do it as single back or him as the RB with the FB in.

[golfer704u]

Originally Posted by Masters

What allignment are you going to put them in? It's not going to work out out of the I or the offset I. Not unless Hillis is now the FB. You can do it with the split, but frankly running out of the split isn't very likely and usually not productive because the back has to come all the way across the formation.

This just sounds Madden-esc to me. If you want to use Cribbs out of the backfield then you do it as single back or him as the RB with the FB in.

I'd say BOTH. In the I or Offset I, yes Hillis is the FB, the you're right the few times you run the split they are interchangeable.

Again for me this comes down to the question of Do you want to win NOW, or do you want to develop your team for the future?

If you want to win more now, you do this with Hillis as the FB, because Marecic isn't even blocking that well which is his job as the FB. I think Hillis would be better at that. But if you are looking to properly deveop this offense, then Marecic has to be the FB and learn to do his job in this offense better.

[Legacy Fan]

Ive been wanting Cribbs in the backfield since I wanted him paired with the Ghost.

Definitely split back. Put colt in the shotgun where he is actually comfortable/ effective.
Could look option-y but just hand off, or hit the slants from the gun. WCO. BOOM

[golfer704u]

I definitely think Cribbs should be in the backfield more in the shotgun. Somehow I think he could pick up a blitz, and the screen quick hit options to him would be great.

Now, one fo the problems with that this week is that Momass is still concussed a bit, So you kind of need Cribbs as a WR more.

[Enigmatic Evil]

Cribbs has always been a conundrum for the offensive minds that have ran this team, nobody's really been able to get the most out of Cribbs, for better or worse. I think lining him up on the backfield would be a surefire statement to the opposition D, "The ball is going to this guy." it would make him an instant target, IMO. Someone D's would have to trigger in on, I think when you line him up on the outside as a WR, he doesnt' carry that same clout IMO.

[golfer704u]

Originally Posted by Enigmatic Evil

Cribbs has always been a conundrum for the offensive minds that have ran this team, nobody's really been able to get the most out of Cribbs, for better or worse. I think lining him up on the backfield would be a surefire statement to the opposition D, "The ball is going to this guy." it would make him an instant target, IMO. Someone D's would have to trigger in on, I think when you line him up on the outside as a WR, he doesnt' carry that same clout IMO.

That's why you have to do it more consistantly and not just as a gimmick play. again that's why I say you'd have to just pretty much sit marecic for 90% of plays. But also with the shotgun formation. He could block some downs and release into a pass pattern for others. again, if tyhat means the defense keeps a coverage guy on him while he stays in to block, all the better.

[Bronx Cheer]

I, and many others, have been saying for years that his best role would be as a Dave Meggett type. Slot WR and third down back. For whatever reason, perhaps because his size is good enough to line up outside, the brass has been hesitant to use him as such. He would abuse LB, nickel, and safety coverage, and not have the problem of having to run crisp routes.

[Greythan]

I've been a huge fan of the Cribbs at halfback scenario. Especially with Hillis as the other halfback. Meaning, I wouldn't ever run a traditional "I" formation with those two. Split them, let them block for each other, etc. I'm also willing to bet that Cribbs would flat out blow up guys blitzing. Cribbs is a super physical guy who plays bigger than his listed height/weight.

On passing downs this RB duo would be flat out nightmarish for defenses. Both can stay in to pick up blitzes. Both are major threats to catch/run. Both are threats on draw plays.

I'm not sure why we haven't done it. Must be some pretty damn good reasons I guess.

[TheBestPlayersPlay]

Most of us have been saying for years Cribbs would be special as a RB. His college coach said he would have been drafted day 1 had he played RB rather than QB @ Kent St.

Don't know why every coach we have refuses to hand the ball to the guy, his acceleration is out of this world, his legs are like tree trunks, and his heart is unquestioned.


Especially now that we have stopped focusing on making special teams great, and taken that away from Cribbs ...give him the damn ball and let him work.

[Masters]

Problem is the split formation is a terrible formation to actually run out of. Most teams know you are not running when in the split back formation. To run out of the split back formation the guy running is going to be lined up slightly more forward, which tips the play to the D. Additionally when running out of that formation the runner has to come across the formation which means the runner is hitting the line and the hole much later. It's why you rarely see teams actually run out of that formation.