Dein erstes Forum » y world and Wood knew Foley better than most havin

SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- Ron Rivera cant imagine the Carolina Panthers without fullback like Mike Tolbert on the roster.The 5-foot-9, 250-pound Tolbert does a little of everything for the NFC champions -- blocks, catches passes, carries the ball and even contributes on special teams. So its hard for Rivera to fathom how nearly one-third of the league didnt even carry a fullback on their rosters last season.I couldnt tell you why teams dont, Rivera said. I think that is one of the missing links in the league to be able to have an effective running game, to have lead blockers and guys who can get dirty down inside.It has worked for Rivera and the Panthers.The Panthers have run for at least 100 yards in an NFL-best 32 straight games, including the playoffs. They were second in the league in rushing last season and first in scoring and reached the Super Bowl before losing 24-10 to the Denver Broncos.That success is why the Panthers didnt hesitate to re-sign the 30-year-old Tolbert to a two-year, $3.3 million contract after he became an unrestricted free agent. All things considered the Panthers might have gotten a bargain for a guy who has been an All-Pro two of the last three seasons.Then again, its not as though fullbacks are the Pokemon Go of the NFL.The Miami Dolphins are among the teams that dont employ a true fullback.Dolphins coach Adam Gase said after careful consideration the team decided they couldnt afford the luxury of having a specialty position like fullback on the roster.Where we kind of ran into the problem was that we liked staying on the ball, we didnt like changing personnel and we always liked the fact of having a guy that could play the fullback role (but) still be a guy that we could flex out plus play in-line, Gase said. Were really being a little pickier as far as we want a guy that can do it all, and then play special teams as well.We didnt want to get stuck in a spot where we had some experience with a fullback when we were first at Denver and he was getting like eight plays a game. We just felt like lets get the guy out there that is going to play 30 plays a game on just offense, plus special teams.The Jacksonville Jaguars stopped carrying a fullback prior to the 2015 season after they hired offensive coordinator Greg Olson to replace Jedd Fisch.Olsons offense simply doesnt use one, relying on backs to find holes and using more multiple tight end sets up front.We dont use one in any of our offensive sets so no sense in carrying one if were not going to use one, Jaguars general manager Dave Caldwell said.Some teams are reincorporating the fullback into the offense.The Philadelphia Eagles have gone back to using a traditional style running game following the departure of coach Chip Kelly. Theyve moved tight end Trey Burton to fullback.But the importance of the position has been undeniably downgraded.A lot of the game nowadays is predicated around the quarterback, said Tolbert. You try to develop him first as a passer, where as in the old days it was more about the run game and defense. Its not that way anymore.Tolbert collected 256 yards rushing and 154 yards receiving last season for the Panthers and scored four touchdowns.He also played on most of the special teams.Tolbert said the key to surviving is changing with the tide and remaining versatile, knowing well that the days of true smash-mouth fullbacks like Lorenzo Neal, Daryl Johnston and Tom Rathman may be over for good.You have to do special teams and pass protect and block out of the backfield and run routes, Tolbert said. You have to be able to do different things than in the past, more than just being a bang-your-head-against-the-wall fullback.---AP Sports writers Mark Long in Jacksonville, Florida, Steven Wine in Miami and Rob Maaddi in Philadelphia contributed to this report.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Cheap Yeezy Free Shipping . 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Keith Wood has described childhood friend and Munster and Ireland teammate Anthony Foley as the gel that held both sides together.Wood was speaking on Newstalk on Monday as the tributes continue to pour in for the late Foley, who died in Paris on Sunday.His death has shocked the rugby world and Wood knew Foley better than most having grown up with him in Killaloe.In an emotive, heartfelt interview on Monday morning Wood remembered his late friends hurling prowess, his ability on the rugby field as a promising youngster and the time Zinzan Brooke asked sheepishly if he could attend Foleys testimonial dinner.Wood, talking to Pat Kenny, said: I wouldve put him [Foley] as the gel for an awful lot of good players to play better around him.Sometimes he didnt get the credit he deserved. Quite simply, when he was at the back of the scrum you never had to think of what was happening, he led from there annd in the manner he played.dddddddddddde did the right thing at the right time. It took him a period of time to get into matches -- it could take him three or four games to get him match fit but once he was match fit, he was phenomenal.He was incredibly robust, didnt get injured all that much. He was fantastic.One anecdote Wood offered remembered when Dominos Pizza used to give a pizza to whoever scored the first try at Thomond Park and Anthony got a hat-trick to just make sure.Wood continued: He had a wicked, dry sense of humour but talking about him in the past tense is unbelievably surreal.I dont know how long itll take for the funeral but its trying to get those nice memories out and to try and smile a little bit at the moment if its possible. Its heart-breaking. ' ' '