Gonna use a blocking back this year

[Schultzy]

With Shumpert working there so far this spring and I think he will be damn good at it.

[BB30]

That is smart and good to see a change. Hopefully one of our young RBs will emerge as a stud we will need a lot more help on the ground next year with losing Dak.

[jumbo]

good

[Political Hack]

That's some of the best news I've heard in a while.

[ShotgunDawg]

This is great news!

Take pressure off the new QB by getting physical again.

[sleepy dawg]

That's some of the best news I've heard in a while.

ditto. I hope this is true. Whether we line him up as a fullback, or in a split-back, I will be excited to see what he can do there.

[ShotgunDawg]

One question though: The NFL banned all chop blocks the other day. What does that mean for the future of being able to run the football?

If the NCAA passes a rule banning all chop blocks in college football, I know Georgia Tech is screwed, but are we as well?

[thf24]

One question though: The NFL banned all chop blocks the other day. What does that mean for the future of being able to run the football?

If the NCAA passes a rule banning all chop blocks in college football, I know Georgia Tech is screwed, but are we as well?

I'm not sure it could get much stricter in college. I have no idea if the NCAA rule's wording is as strict as the NFL's new rule, but the NCAA already called it pretty liberally.

[TrapGame]

Hanrahan helped make our running game look elite in '09/'10. We need to get back to that.

[dogshiek]

Shump will be great as a fullback. He can help the running game and help protect our QB's. As straight up as he runs, we won't need to worry about him being called for a chop block!

[Dawg61]

Awesome!

[Jack Lambert]

Shumpert is not a running back but he is too good of a athlete to keep off the field. Great move.

[Ralph]

Excellent news. Do y'all think we'll have a RB emerge as a feature back or RB by committee again?

[HoopsCoach21]

Really hope this is true. Puts another good and experienced athlete on the field. With the lack of experience at TE it makes a lot of sense to pull back on the TE role and add more for a guy like Shump.

[Ifyouonlyknew]

Dontavian Lee was also playing this same role.

[Saltydog]

rusher. That should tell you how bad our ground game was.

[drunkernhelldawg]

I've seen some flashes from Shump with the ball. Wouldn't surprise me to see a new level next season. Does this mean we always have three in the backfield? behind the center 5? I'll believe it when I see it.

That said, I like the idea in principle. But I still think most snaps will occur with just the qb and one rb behind the front 5.

[msstate7]

I like this bc we'll be able to sneak shump out for receptions some too

[msstate7]

5 OL
1 qb
1 Rb
1 h-back
3 wr's or 2 wr's and 1 te?

[HoopsDawg]

5 OL
1 qb
1 Rb
1 h-back
3 wr's or 2 wr's and 1 te?

Mullen's first 2 years it was mainly 3 WR's. But you can mix it up. Even put Justin Johnson in the slot and overload a side. Having 2 backs really allows you to be more creative in the run game.

[deltadawg99]

Hanrahan was the most underrated player on the team when was he was here. Dude was a beast. Been waiting for us to use Shump in the same role. Only question is whether Shump is as tough and willing to hit like Hanrahan.

[CadaverDawg]

Absolutely awesome news

[Taog Redloh]

Hanrahan helped make our running game look elite in '09/'10. We need to get back to that.
Yep. That Prosch dude at Auburn was the engine for them too in 2013.

I'm sure there is some downside to this, like the QB has less WRs and has to be more accurate. But I haven't seen it exploited yet.

[STATEBALLIN]

Mullen's first 2 years it was mainly 3 WR's. But you can mix it up. Even put Justin Johnson in the slot and overload a side. Having 2 backs really allows you to be more creative in the run game.

I can see this happening again and it offers some insight into Dan saying we only had a spot for 1 WR on NSD.