The Saints' Short-Yardage Back?

by MtnExile on Jul 5, 2009 9:21 PM CDT

He's not The Bus...but maybe he could be The Streetcar?

To mix metaphors: here's something from out of left field...

Remember, earlier in the year, when Sean Payton was asked about his quest for a short-yardage specialist, and he said he wasn't sure if the right guy wasn't already "in the building"? Well, what if that person is 6'3", 290-lb. Charles Grant?

I'm not saying this is what Payton has in mind...but why not? In researching an article about our defensive ends, I found this out about Grant:

"Played both offense and defense at Hargrave Military Academy in 1998. Was a Parade Magazine 1997 All-American. He tied runningback Chuck Rumbley's state single-season touchdown record with 45 in 1997 and added 3,472 all-purpose yards. Totaled 101 touchdowns in his three-year career at Miller County (Ga.) HS.

"...As a freshman [at Georgia], recorded 33 tackles and seven sacks, while also seeing duty in offensive backfield, rushing for 79 yards and three touchdowns at fullback."

Anyone who remembers Guy McIntyre on the 49ers and William Perry on the Bears knows the validity of putting a beast in the backfield either as a pure lead blocker or as an actual ball carrier. Perry did fine in both roles. Grant actually had extensive experience and great success earlier in his playing career...at least, taking handoffs and hitting a hole isn't entirely strange to him.

So why not?

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Why not indeed?

Interesting stats and investigation, M-E.

He’s underperformed at DE (since his big contract), so why not let him underperform at FB or as a decoy, too?

"Knock 'em the (- -) out!" - G Dub

by HansDat on Jul 5, 2009 9:44 PM CDT reply actions

This is the kinda stuff

the offseason is for, Dreaming about stuff that has about the same chance as Shockey becoming a vegan. But hey its cool and I’d love to see it.

by ReggieVilma on Jul 6, 2009 8:50 PM CDT up reply actions

M-E

Have you gotten into my toenail stash again?

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by Dave Cariello on Jul 5, 2009 11:45 PM CDT reply actions

no offense to M-E

but how many more days are there until training camp?

Being a Saints fan will take years off your life

by MobileSaint on Jul 6, 2009 9:20 AM CDT reply actions

I like the concept

though, I’m sure Grant wasn’t anywhere close to his current playing weight in high school. I wouldn’t mind seeing it a couple of times in preseason, just to see how he does in short yardage situations. Can’t be much more ineffective than a double reverse on 4th-and-1.

by coldpizza on Jul 6, 2009 9:59 AM CDT reply actions

Tru dat

we’ll hav the biggest decoy in the league!

by ReggieVilma on Jul 6, 2009 8:51 PM CDT up reply actions

how about....

we fake it to c grant up the middle and do an end around to reggie

by DrewBreesManCrush on Jul 6, 2009 11:28 AM CDT reply actions

I was thinking that

Let Grant carry it four or five times on short yardage in preseason, so it’s all over ESPN. Then, in the regular season have him lined up in the backfield, fake the handoff and get it to Reggie, either on an end around or dump off pass.

by coldpizza on Jul 6, 2009 11:33 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

I think we should run the wildcat

with Grant

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by Dave Cariello on Jul 6, 2009 12:07 PM CDT up reply actions

Could we call it

the Phat Cat?

by coldpizza on Jul 6, 2009 12:26 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

The Sabertooth

“Because it’s so mean?”

“No, because it’s extinct.”

Seriously, Dave…if this strategy worked for the 49ers and Bears, why shouldn’t it work for us as well? Just because we’re the Saints? I don’t mean to suggest that Grant has the same talent as Brandon Jacobs…but he’s even bigger, and can you imagine trying to stop a load that big coming straight at you and only wanting a yard?

This is OUR year!

by MtnExile on Jul 6, 2009 1:14 PM CDT up reply actions

I just can't picture Grant running with the ball

it makes me giggle

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by Dave Cariello on Jul 6, 2009 2:29 PM CDT up reply actions

WildGrant

I think on the end around he’d have to pitch it to Devery

Being a Saints fan will take years off your life

by MobileSaint on Jul 6, 2009 1:25 PM CDT up reply actions

As long as

Devery doesn’t try to throw it. Still can’t get the taste of that Lance Moore INT out my mouth from last year. I’d also prefer that Grant doesn’t handle the ball himself on any trick plays. If Brees wants to fake the handoff and pitch it himself, that’s fine. Just don’t let me see Mighty Joe Young juggling coconuts in the backfield.

by coldpizza on Jul 6, 2009 1:54 PM CDT reply actions

new rule

any trick play we attempt this year will have to have brees at the trigger. he makes all pitches and fakes and everyone else just catches, runs, or blocks. deal?

by DrewBreesManCrush on Jul 6, 2009 2:53 PM CDT reply actions