Might be the fullback we've been looking for

[FanFromArizona]

I don't know about you, but I am a little shocked by this move:


Chargers | Team releases Neal
Thu, 28 Feb 2008 12:45:03 -0800

Kevin Acee, of The San Diego Union-Tribune, reports the San Diego Chargers released FB Lorenzo Neal Thursday, Feb. 28.




Wonder why he sought out of his contract and does not have much of a role in 2008 (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/football/nfl/wires/02/28/2020.ap.fbn.chargers.free.agency.0459/index.html)

That will be a huge loss to LT.

I think he would be a nice addition to our run-blocking game. Any chance we give him a look and how well would he fit into our scheme?

[JoeJacksonTaylor28]

I don't know about you, but I am a little shocked by this move:




Wonder why he sought out of his contract and does not have much of a role in 2008 (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/football/nfl/wires/02/28/2020.ap.fbn.chargers.free.agency.0459/index.html)

That will be a huge loss to LT.

I think he would be a nice addition to our run-blocking game. Any chance we give him a look and how well would he fit into our scheme?
I know next to nothing about the WCO, but the 49ers had Rathman, the Seahawks have Strong...

[FanFromArizona]

With last year and his first year in the league being the exception, he has played all 16 games in his entire career. I don't mind him being 37 years old, it might make him affordable for us. I'd give him like a 3 year contract(his existing contract) and make it such that it would really be a 1-2 year contract. We already have one of the better RB tandems, a signing like this would give us one of the better FB tandems.

I could just imagine our jumbo package with him lead blocking for the Caveman or having him as the extra lineman during a heavy jumbo run. It would certainly be interesting to watch a 2 TE formation with Caveman and Neal on the line lead blocking for Portis or Ladell.

[akhhorus]

I think he(or Tony Richardson) would be a great signing. Neal might be one of the best FBs ever, and his block first style of play would fit rather well with the Zorn.

[FanFromArizona]

How much do you think he'll fetch and which teams do you think will go after him?

I'm also amazed he wanted out of SD and also that they agreed to let him go...any ideas why?

[akhhorus]

How much do you think he'll fetch and which teams do you think will go after him?

Dunno. With Richardson out there, maybe not as much as he thinks he'll get. I would offer him 3 years, 12 million.

I'm also amazed he wanted out of SD and also that they agreed to let him go...any ideas why?

No idea. LDT has shown that he's dependent on him as a lead blocker.

[FanFromArizona]

No idea. LDT has shown that he's dependent on him as a lead blocker.

What I find hard to believe is the article says "Neal's role in 2008 was expected to decrease." WHAT ROLE? All he did was block for LT.

and now that they've released him, who is going to fill the role or even WANT TO FILL the role?

I am going to watch LT's reaction to this move, this is going to make it harder for him to run. Way to go Norv!

Sounds like a draft pick getting spent on FB for SD.

[csquared]

What I find hard to believe is the article says "Neal's role in 2008 was expected to decrease." WHAT ROLE? All he did was block for LT.

and now that they've released him, who is going to fill the role or even WANT TO FILL the role?

I am going to watch LT's reaction to this move, this is going to make it harder for him to run. Way to go Norv!

Sounds like a draft pick getting spent on FB for SD.

I doubt Norv had anything to do with it.

[FanFromArizona]

I doubt Norv had anything to do with it.

If you don't think Norv bears any responsibility in Neal's diminished role in
2008, then who? There's got to be something behind that statement.....

[Meatsnack]

Lorenzo Neal is the best heads-up lead blocker in football. If you utilize a traditional fullback, you would have to be differently abled to pass him up.(Yes, Norv, I am looking at you.)

[Brit'Skin]

If you don't think Norv bears any responsibility in Neal's diminished role in
2008, then who? There's got to be something behind that statement.....

Injuries?

[FanFromArizona]

Injuries?

if that's the case, then why not retire? he's been in the league for like 11+ years. if he can't handle the blocking anymore, then he might as well hang it up....otherwise why would he leave such a perfect job (of blocking for the best RB in the league) in the hopes of looking for another team to do something else?

Again, i've got my suspicions and eye cast at Norval, LT is probably not a happy camper now (he's losing both his fill-in and blocker).

[FanFromArizona]

Lorenzo Neal is the best heads-up lead blocker in football. If you utilize a traditional fullback, you would have to be differently abled to pass him up.(Yes, Norv, I am looking at you.)

and I don't see SD changing from a fb/rb tandem anytime soon either....
i second the look at Norval.

[redskin_rich]

Dude is older than the pyramids and isn't a WCO FB. Why in the House of Hades would we want him?

[PyroGenic]

Dude is older than the pyramids and isn't a WCO FB. Why in the House of Hades would we want him?

Because he helped make the best RB in football who he is

[skinsfan36]

i say go after this guy hes only the best fullback in football imagine him and sellers in on the same play with sellers at te, bam

[redskin_rich]

Because he helped make the best RB in football who he is
Wow, what will LT do now that his enabler is gone? :sleeping:

[PyroGenic]

Wow, what will LT do now that his enabler is gone? :sleeping:

....suck?

[shally]

I don't know about you, but I am a little shocked by this move:




Wonder why he sought out of his contract and does not have much of a role in 2008 (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/football/nfl/wires/02/28/2020.ap.fbn.chargers.free.agency.0459/index.html)

That will be a huge loss to LT.

I think he would be a nice addition to our run-blocking game. Any chance we give him a look and how well would he fit into our scheme?



neal is an absolute beast of a blocker.. not that much of a receiver or runner at this point in his career

also. when i last checked richardson is still out there as well.. you think AP isnt going to miss him ?

[greatest2]

he would be great anywhere, and especially here with good backs behind him as well as a experienced oline. My concern is would he settle for being a back-up? or would sellers settle for being a back-up? there has been talk of both betts and portis in the backfield at the same time, and thats great it jus takes some more plays away from the fullbacks.

I would welcome it if he or sellers could settle for beinga back-up

[FanFromArizona]

Dude is older than the pyramids and isn't a WCO FB. Why in the House of Hades would we want him?

I will disagree with you on this point, he is arguably one of the top 10 FB in the NFL even at the age he is, there IS a reason he is perennial Pro-Bowler and one of the reasons LT is as great as he is[ I'm not saying that Neal is the ENTIRE reason either] . While I grant you he is not from a West Coast Offense, good run blockers can be used in virtually ANY style of offense. Having Sellers and Neal rotating to keep each other healthy would basically allow another few good years for BOTH players, and I'm willing to bet you that we could get Neal at a decent vet salary.

[FanFromArizona]

Wow, what will LT do now that his enabler is gone? :sleeping:

They better find him a run blocker or he'll find himself having more games like he did in Philly.

[FanFromArizona]

neal is an absolute beast of a blocker.. not that much of a receiver or runner at this point in his career

also. when i last checked richardson is still out there as well.. you think AP isnt going to miss him ?

which is why neal is the person to seek, richardson will want more and be sought after more.

I don't think the loss of richardson will be as devastating to minny as losing neal will be to san diego because minny will still have a stud Oline to compensate for the loss.

[FanFromArizona]

he would be great anywhere, and especially here with good backs behind him as well as a experienced oline. My concern is would he settle for being a back-up? or would sellers settle for being a back-up? there has been talk of both betts and portis in the backfield at the same time, and thats great it jus takes some more plays away from the fullbacks.

I would welcome it if he or sellers could settle for beinga back-up

I actually think that there are so many permutations of the possible formations for the 4 players that there would be enough playing time for everyone and enough time to get rested and be fresh as a spring bug in the fourth quarter when we just ram the ball down our opponents throats and have sellers/neal leading the charge against some tired Lbers.

At this point in time, Neal is probably a little tired and worn down that he won't wind not being an every-down player. (And I thought Neal would come out anyways on third downs)

[FanFromArizona]

Just curious what his status is? Has he gotten signed anywhere?

[PyroGenic]

I think the jets snatched him up a couple of days ago

[csquared]

No the Jets signed Richardson.

[shally]

which is why neal is the person to seek, richardson will want more and be sought after more.

I don't think the loss of richardson will be as devastating to minny as losing neal will be to san diego because minny will still have a stud Oline to compensate for the loss.

correct

Just curious what his status is? Has he gotten signed anywhere?

as others have pointed out, richardson is signed by the jets, neal is still out there

i think we will draft a FB on day 2, although the second coming of reggie branch, or otis wonsley or larry bowie would be welcome

traditionally, if we are running a WC offense, we would look for a fb like larry centers.. a solid receiver/blocker/runner in that order of skills

[dj_stouty]

Wow, what will LT do now that his enabler is gone? :sleeping:

LT will probably end up averaging 5.6 ypc just like he did in the three games played without Neal last season. The end of the LT era is close in sight. ;)

[FanFromArizona]

traditionally, if we are running a WC offense, we would look for a fb like larry centers.. a solid receiver/blocker/runner in that order of skills

We will still need a FB when we are running, my guess is that we'll see a tandem of Portis AND Betts on the field at the same time with PORTIS possibly playing the FB spot because of his great blocking skills. That too me would be the maximum usage of Portis, making other teams guess if he was going to be the blocker/receiver or primary runner.

I would still love to pick up Neal, I'm hoping that we're getting ready to make the logical sensical FA pickups that we've all been waiting for.

[PyroGenic]

No the Jets signed Richardson.

oh.

Well then this other guy isn't going anywhere.

[shally]

We will still need a FB when we are running, my guess is that we'll see a tandem of Portis AND Betts on the field at the same time with PORTIS possibly playing the FB spot because of his great blocking skills. That too me would be the maximum usage of Portis, making other teams guess if he was going to be the blocker/receiver or primary runner.

I would still love to pick up Neal, I'm hoping that we're getting ready to make the logical sensical FA pickups that we've all been waiting for.

at his weight, if we put portis in at FB he will be on IR by october..

that is why we need someone in front of portis who can block like a sonovab..

[Hr fan]

If you don't think Norv bears any responsibility in Neal's diminished role in
2008, then who? There's got to be something behind that statement.....

Mr. Smith got rid of a coach that went 14-2 but disagreed with him. Norv is smart enough to keep his mouth shut.