Why so much singleback formation?

earlier this year, no one could stop talking about Mike Sellers. he's proved he's excellent at hitting people, and can catch the clutch short yardage pass, often for scores.

I'm wondering why he's not on the field most of the time instead of just in the redzone. a shifty back like Portis plays best with a fullback in front of him, much like they do in Denver and Seattle. is Robert Royal so much of an asset that we'd rather play him than Sellers most downs?

- how's Sellers at pass protection? is he that much worse than Royal?

- is Royal a big enough downfield recieving threat to forsake Seller's stiffening of the line and safety valve ability?

- what other teams use singleback formation almost exclusively, and are they of the 3 WR or 2 TE variety?

Gibbs has always used the used single back formation. I think he may have revolutionized it.

As far as Sellers goes, I too am wondering why we haven't used a little more. I think Royal has bounced back and has proven to be a reliable receiver.

What we need is a true no 2 receiver. Hopefully Thrash comes back this week. He should be able to help out. Jacobs hasn't done shit, and it doesn't look like he's gonna be anything in this league.

i know Gibbs rocked the singleback formation back in the day, but that's also the era when running backs were as BIG as Fullbacks and Fullbacks themselves got a lot of carries.

if you look at the NFL today, the top backs aren't the big bruisers anymore. i love watching Bettis play but he's almost a relic at this point and thats why i asked what other teams use the singleback formation and how.

i know Gibbs rocked the singleback formation back in the day, but that's also the era when running backs were as BIG as Fullbacks and Fullbacks themselves got a lot of carries.

if you look at the NFL today, the top backs aren't the big bruisers anymore. i love watching Bettis play but he's almost a relic at this point and thats why i asked what other teams use the singleback formation and how.


I agree with you. Most of the other teams that use single back use 3 WR's instead 2 TE's like we do.

I said this in another thread, we need a legit no.2 receiver!!!!!!!

We need Brandon Lloyd.

Did anyone see Portis' touchdown run where Sellers basically was the reason Portis scored on the play?? Sellers can get the job done.

Did anyone see Portis' touchdown run where Sellers basically was the reason Portis scored on the play?? Sellers can get the job done.

of course, how could you not? Portis straight hurdled over a would be tackler and was just about to lose his balance but he had the athletic ability and presence of mind to grab his lead blocker. any lesser back would not have scored that TD.

Portis's biggest run of the day, the 23ydr, was behind Sellers too.

Gibbs carries so many H-Backs that he does not have room for a fullback. the way his offense is with all the movement the h-backs are essentially full backs. There was more of that the couple of games, where the h-back would go in motion and set up in front of Portis. This is used alot because Gibbs has multiple plays from the same formation. It may be a run, pass, toss, screen, play action pass, all from the same set. I like the fact he uses this because when the offense is clicking, which isn't so much right now, teams are confused on what type of play we are running. Since we are making more of an effort to run the ball, this formation will be repeated, all the time. And once we can make yards from runs, either up the middle or on the corners, we will start confusing people in what play is coming.

I think the main problem is our predictability on offense. For example, whenever a receiver motions to one side of the field, we always run to that side.

The reason we use Singleback so much is because Joe Gibbs is our coach. Good enough for me.