Why is the full back never listed as a starter by tsn

[REAL]

Just curious, #fullbacksarepeopletoo, @DuaneFordeTSN

[doubleblue]

Just curious, #fullbacksarepeopletoo, @DuaneFordeTSN

I don't know. Maybe because generally the fullback and a wide receiver alternate as one National position for the ratio.

[paulwoods13]

I don't think there's an offence in the CFL that doesn't use five receivers on the majority of snaps. Fullbacks and the No. 3 slotback generally rotate but the SB tends to get more reps most of the time. Therefore it's logical for TSN to show the six-pack (including RB) that is likely to see the most action.

[cfl-cis fan]

I don't think there's an offence in the CFL that doesn't use five receivers on the majority of snaps. Fullbacks and the No. 3 slotback generally rotate but the SB tends to get more reps most of the time. Therefore it's logical for TSN to show the six-pack (including RB) that is likely to see the most action.

Ottawa, Montreal maybe

[paulwoods13]

It's too bad we aren't given stats for snaps played, but I'd be surprised if any team uses a FB more often than a third slotback. Including Ott and Mtl.

[Will]

just curious, #fullbacksarepeopletoo, @duanefordetsn

5r, 5r

[OV Argo]

It's too bad we aren't given stats for snaps played, but I'd be surprised if any team uses a FB more often than a third slotback. Including Ott and Mtl.

Ottawa uses Beaulieu quite a lot - and he leads all CFL H-backs in yardage production; I noted last season how the guy was a force in limited action (also had a few carries including a big gainer) for the Als till he got injured; Ottawa got him in trade for another H-back in Patrick Lavoie - who isn't doing much for the Als this season - Beaulieu has way more talent at the position IMO.

Beaulieu and Cross are the only 2 CFL H-backs who play plenty of snaps; a bunch of other teams barely use the position, or else it's just as a limited blocking role = not like any CFL team uses a big H-back to help lead a consistent power run game with blocking ( note - Ottawa's Powell now the league leading rusher).

[cfl-cis fan]

Ottawa uses Beaulieu quite a lot - and he leads all CFL H-backs in yardage production; I noted last season how the guy was a force in limited action (also had a few carries including a big gainer) for the Als till he got injured; Ottawa got him in trade for another H-back in Patrick Lavoie - who isn't doing much for the Als this season - Beaulieu has way more talent at the position IMO.

Beaulieu and Cross are the only 2 CFL H-backs who play plenty of snaps; a bunch of other teams barely use the position, or else it's just as a limited blocking role = not like any CFL team uses a big H-back to help lead a consistent power run game with blocking ( note - Ottawa's Powell now the league leading rusher).

Given the limited use of Cross this year in the Condell offence it is really down to just one FB with regular use (Beaulieu).

[paulwoods13]

Given the limited use of Cross this year in the Condell offence it is really down to just one FB with regular use (Beaulieu).

For the record, Cross has 22 touches (all receptions) this year, Beaulieu has 18 touches (all receptions). Snaps played may be another matter but that stat, if it's even recorded, is not published.

[AngeloV]

For the record, Cross has 22 touches (all receptions) this year, Beaulieu has 18 touches (all receptions). Snaps played may be another matter but that stat, if it's even recorded, is not published.

Cross had 36 total receptions last year and is on pace for 33 this year. Not bad, especially considering he isn't catching other teams by surprise anymore.

[OV Argo]

Given the limited use of Cross this year in the Condell offence it is really down to just one FB with regular use (Beaulieu).

And if Cross is in the game some to help with blocking for Wilder (a big bull like Cross should be able to plow defenders out of the road way better than a lightweight slotback), it is not showing with Wilder's weak to lame yards/carry average this season.

Regardless - the H-back position is not that valued in the CFL, inspite of some glaring evidence of it being quite effective for an offence - with Cross having a great 2nd half of last season to help an offence win a GC; and this year, Ottawa's offence has been very good at times - Powell leading the league in rushing, and Sinopoli with a big lead in # of receptions - with Beaulieu playing a role.

IMO - a smart and innovative CFL HC/OC could make H-back a big part of their offence - almost full-time even - with a big, talented H-back (Beaulieu, Cross - there would be others) playing a big role - blocking for a more applied ground attack, or, pass pro, catching passes (not just dumps or screens - Beaulieu had a long gainer TD - wide open well down field - out of TE formation early this season), AND a big back gets a hand-off or two and smashes some power run plays too - to make for a much more diverse CFL offence. Standard look, limited, same old, same old CFL offensive "thinkers" cannot grasp this concept however - way beyond them. So same old offence it is pretty well league wide. Now maybe Bealieu plays a big role for Ottawa as the season wears on and they go the GC ... then some GOB might go, wait a sec - 2 years in a row with glaring examples of what the position & diversity on offence can provide ... ? Nope. o

[paulwoods13]

IMO - a smart and innovative CFL HC/OC could make H-back a big part of their offence - almost full-time even - with a big, talented H-back (Beaulieu, Cross - there would be others) playing a big role - blocking for a more applied ground attack, or, pass pro, catching passes (not just dumps or screens - Beaulieu had a long gainer TD - wide open well down field - out of TE formation early this season), AND a big back gets a hand-off or two and smashes some power run plays too - to make for a much more diverse CFL offence.

I have to admit, I am warming up a lot to this idea.

[AngeloV]

The arguably 2 best offences in the league (Calgary and Edmonton) likely use the H-Back less than any other teams. Just saying.

[OV Argo]

The arguably 2 best offences in the league (Calgary and Edmonton) likely use the H-Back less than any other teams. Just saying.

The Stamps used to use it some with Rob Cote - and he was very good IMO, especially as a receiver - till he retired this off-season (?) and they have not replaced him with another H-back type who plays even a little bit.

OTOH - The last 2 GC winning teams - Argos & Ottawa - did use the H-back position (Cross & Lavoie (who had a TD reception in 2 straight GC games) some to quite a bit. Just saying.

[cfl-cis fan]

And if Cross is in the game some to help with blocking for Wilder (a big bull like Cross should be able to plow defenders out of the road way better than a lightweight slotback), it is not showing with Wilder's weak to lame yards/carry average this season.

Regardless - the H-back position is not that valued in the CFL, inspite of some glaring evidence of it being quite effective for an offence - with Cross having a great 2nd half of last season to help an offence win a GC; and this year, Ottawa's offence has been very good at times - Powell leading the league in rushing, and Sinopoli with a big lead in # of receptions - with Beaulieu playing a role.

IMO - a smart and innovative CFL HC/OC could make H-back a big part of their offence - almost full-time even - with a big, talented H-back (Beaulieu, Cross - there would be others) playing a big role - blocking for a more applied ground attack, or, pass pro, catching passes (not just dumps or screens - Beaulieu had a long gainer TD - wide open well down field - out of TE formation early this season), AND a big back gets a hand-off or two and smashes some power run plays too - to make for a much more diverse CFL offence. Standard look, limited, same old, same old CFL offensive "thinkers" cannot grasp this concept however - way beyond them. So same old offence it is pretty well league wide. Now maybe Bealieu plays a big role for Ottawa as the season wears on and they go the GC ... then some GOB might go, wait a sec - 2 years in a row with glaring examples of what the position & diversity on offence can provide ... ? Nope. o

dont have stats but it appears to me most of the running plays are away from Cross if he is in, when they run to his side they are usually successful. Still dont know why the Argos OLine run blocking is not very good

[paulwoods13]

dont have stats but it appears to me most of the running plays are away from Cross if he is in, when they run to his side they are usually successful. Still dont know why the Argos OLine run blocking is not very good

I think it's because the Argo o-line is not very good, period. McEwen is strong, Bomben is a proven player, CVZ is experienced but not nearly as good as he used to be, Holmes has regressed significantly IMO in the past couple of years, and Campbell is one of the weaker LTs in the league IMO. So that's two good players and three question marks.

[doubleblue]

The arguably 2 best offences in the league (Calgary and Edmonton) likely use the H-Back less than any other teams. Just saying.

Probably something to do with having the two best QB's in the League though.