We got a new fullback... well sort of. Tapeh is back!

General_Failure · April 24, 2006, 01:15:03 AM

And if he can play, he's our big back.

bobbyinlondon · April 24, 2006, 05:14:15 AM

Quote from: PhillyandBCEagles on April 23, 2006, 11:57:59 PM
Yeah but he only retired after not getting a new offer from the Eagles.

Tapeh could be the next Mike Alstott for all we know but the fact is we can't rely on having him healthy in September, and even if we could we have no clue what he can do on the NFL level.

If you heard what Heckert said last year, he said they were watching Ritchie run in camp and it was bovious he couldn't do it anymore. As other posters have said, if he had something left, he'd be playing.

ice grillin you · April 24, 2006, 07:46:47 AM

the eagles value the fullback position slighty more than the linebacker position

PoopyfaceMcGee · April 24, 2006, 07:49:22 AM

Quote from: SD_Eagle on April 23, 2006, 11:54:29 PM
Quote from: PhillyandBCEagles on April 23, 2006, 11:50:12 PM
re-signing Ritchie.

He retired

This guys dead....
Well then cross him off the list

Major League.

But seriously, I'm at least glad he's 100% if they're paving the way to make him the FB/big back.

Zanshin · April 24, 2006, 08:27:49 AM

Hey, I hope Tapeh is great. Hoping for it and counting on it are two different things.

mussa · April 24, 2006, 11:50:26 AM

im not expecting much. it would be nice though to have him make an impact.

Feva · April 24, 2006, 11:54:27 AM

Quote from: PhillyandBCEagles on April 23, 2006, 11:50:12 PM
Great, we're penning in a guy who hasn't played in a year and a half and didn't really do much then as our starting FB. This makes me feel better about not getting Mack Strong or re-signing Ritchie.

I'm actually not nearly as down on Parry as most of the people here are, I think he's serviceable, but if our plan for next year includes relying on Tapeh as a key piece of our offense we may as well make late December tee times in Florida right now.

You know as much as I do that the FB in the Eagles offense is nowhere near a "key" piece. They're going to try Tapeh at FB... what he was drafted to do, unlike Parry who's a converted LB... and if he can get it done, he'll see his 10 snaps a game at FB and get some time in short yardage situations (where I think he'll show his real value). If he can't, then Parry survives to do the same zesty job he's been doing the past year and a half.

Either way, the chances of the FB position weighing heavily on the successes and failures of this team are pretty damn slim.

reese125 · April 24, 2006, 12:21:42 PM

It very well could be a key piece. That was definitely one of our weaknesses on offense if you want a lead blocker and short yardage 1st downs. Aside from our O-line not realizing how to run block last year and assuming they will do a much better job this year, the fullback needs to step up big time this year for the extra yards westbrook needs. Hes good in the open field for mistackles, but when he goes in between tackles its harder to get the extra push w/out a good FB.

Also, if you run I formations or or even a 3 receiver set, you need a fullback to key in on that MLB and make a quality block. Thats why I would of liked to see them pick a solid one up in FA. It could of solved alot of scrambling for short pass plays on 3rd down and 1 or 2 by Reid. I dont know if Tapeh is the man for that or not...

Feva · April 24, 2006, 05:55:37 PM

Don't get me wrong. I know exactly how valuable a quality FB can be to an offense... that runs the ball. My thing is that for the amount of snaps the FB is even on the field in Andy's offense... it's not a key piece very often. I actually wonder if Andy even knows what a FB is every time he calls that farging pass in the flat to Parry... only to watch him trip over his own two feet for a 1 yard gain.

I would have absolutely loved it if they grabbed someone like Mack Strong in FA when he was dangling out there, but for the role the FB plays in this offense... Andy feels that converted LB's like Parry are enough to get the job done. That said... if Tapeh is indeed 100%, I think he'll do a pretty good job of lead blocking and short yardage running. That was his forte at Minnesota.

PS - You said "I-Formation" when talking about Andy's offense. Ha!

reese125 · April 24, 2006, 10:36:07 PM

Hey, if you declare you want to run the ball more on offense Mr. Reid, get the 1st cart that starts the train IMO.

PS

He does the run the I...all for that David Blaine play action Donovan performs 3 out of the 4 downs

Munson · April 24, 2006, 10:43:56 PM

I formation, First and 10, ball at the 26 yardline...playaction. Mcnabb rolls out, throws a bomb to Pinkston.

I think we started 12 out of 16 games with that play two years ago. Last year hurt us without the Pink. no deep threat.

As for FB....I think Tapeh can get the job done. But we should really reserve judgement until we actually get a look at him.

The BIGSTUD · April 24, 2006, 10:46:13 PM

Tapeh was highly regarded as the best FB in his draft class. Give him time.

ice grillin you · April 25, 2006, 11:49:10 AM

Tapeh was highly regarded as the best FB in his draft class

no he wasnt...he was regarded as an interesting fullback prospect since he had not played much fullback in college

anyway doesnt best fullback = tallest midget

mussa · April 25, 2006, 11:57:51 AM

Quote from: Philly Forever on April 24, 2006, 10:46:13 PM
Tapeh was highly regarded as the best FB in his draft class. Give him time.

haha

never heard that one before

fansince61 · April 25, 2006, 12:43:25 PM

I think the birds will take a fullback early the second day of the draft