Chiefs sign Aaron Ripkowski to futures contract

[RunKC]

Could this be the end for the sausage? He is turning 31 this year and Ripkowksi is only 26.

#Chiefs sign former #Packers FB Aaron Ripkowski to reserve/future contract https://t.co/dUwdnu5XNC

— Charles Goldman (@goldmctNFL) February 1, 2019

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by JohnDONsey

For me, I’m talking about using the Fb more for blocking purposes, working out of power formations a little more often.

That takes receiving options off the field. No way.

If you want more power formations, get a credible 2nd TE.

[saphojunkie]

Originally Posted by Easy 6

Can we also talk about blocking and pass catching, or should it be off limits?

Do you think we would have gone to the Super Bowl if we used Sherman more?

[St. Patty's Fire]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

That takes receiving options off the field. No way.

If you want more power formations, get a credible 2nd TE.

Well, I’d agree that we need and should get a real 2 TE that can block.

And not every play needs a ton of receivers man, we should be able to effectively run plays out of every formation.

[Easy 6]

Originally Posted by saphojunkie

Do you think we would have gone to the Super Bowl if we used Sherman more?

The phrasing is a bit dramatic and open ended here

Am I supposed to agree that Sherman = a SB victory or something?

He was underused here, particularly during the Smith era, we can all agree with that... and he also could've helped the 2018 offense more than did

There aren't that many all pro fullbacks left

But it's not a hill to die on, as my first post clearly shows... lets see what happens

[srvy]

Originally Posted by ChiTown

How, exactly, would you have used him more? We lead the NFL in scoring and yardage.

We couldnt handle NE blitz in the first half and still had some problems the second half. If sausage had of been in he would have stayed home to block and 2 certain TD's that first half may have been completed instead of overthrown because Pat rushed them.

[Angry fan]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

That takes receiving options off the field. No way.

If you want more power formations, get a credible 2nd TE.

The issue is, finding a player who can block and be a receiving threat is a very rare thing. So do you want a blocking tight end who has lousy receiving skills or do you want a tight end who's a lousy blocker with great receiving skills?
This is why Gronkowski is heralded as one of the greatest tight ends of all time. There are faster and better route savvy tight ends than Gronkowski, but none of them can block like Gronkowski.


One of the reasons for using the power I formation is it gives defenses a different look that they don't see too often in today's football. It's also a different way to make a hole for the running back. The 49ers, Patriots and Saints were top 3 in FB snaps. I don't know too much about Jusczyk's blocking but he's a very decent receiving threat. The Patriots and Saints FB are known for their run blocking. Not so much as receiving threat though Brady and Brees will target them if you leave them open.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by JohnDONsey

Well, I’d agree that we need and should get a real 2 TE that can block.

And not every play needs a ton of receivers man, we should be able to effectively run plays out of every formation.

This isn't 1980. A FB should be on the field about 10 plays a game, if that.

[St. Patty's Fire]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

This isn't 1980. A FB should be on the field about 10 plays a game, if that.

Well, yeah, I think 10ish plays is about right.

Just for the record, Develin is on the field for ~35% of the Patriots offensive snaps per game. And Line from the Saints is on for about ~25% of plays. In 2019.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by JohnDONsey

Well, yeah, I think 10ish plays is about right.

Just for the record, Develin is on the field for ~35% of the Patriots offensive snaps per game. And Line from the Saints is on for about ~25% of plays. In 2019.

Not interested in playing football like the Patriots or Saints. They both have aging QBs they're trying to protect.

[Chargem]

Ripkowski? RIP Sherman more like!

But seriously though, if you look at a team like the Patriots then Devlin knows pretty much the whole route tree and can comfortably play out wide or the slot rather than just tank a guy at the LOS. That's the kind of guy you can give more snaps to, and Sherman is a little bit that guy but not probably enough to actually pay him anything.

[Angry fan]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Not interested in playing football like the Patriots or Saints. They both have aging QBs they're trying to protect.

Play to the personnel strength but you do want to protect Mahomes. He keeps taking hits and he'll age quickly. Don't need to use a FB but some play action instead of read option could be really good for him. You can do it out of the 11 personnel just like the Rams do right now. The Rams have run the highest percentage of play action in the league and they don't even have a FB.

[Chargem]

Originally Posted by Angry fan

Play to the personnel strength but you do want to protect Mahomes. He keeps taking hits and he'll age quickly. Don't need to use a FB but some play action instead of read option could be really good for him. You can do it out of the 11 personnel just like the Rams do right now. The Rams have run the highest percentage of play action in the league and they don't even have a FB.

The Chiefs are already doing plenty of funky protections, like using wide receivers in a sort of half back position to pass block.

The two things that will protect Mahomes better will be a full season from LDT (with preferably Wylie as the other starting guard) and Mahomes getting smarter in the back field, he brought pressure on himself at times.