NFL Free Agents 2012: Mike Tolbert

by Ryan Van Bibber on Feb 17, 2012 9:46 AM CST in NFL Free Agents 2012

The St. Louis Rams plan to do some running in 2012. Jeff Fisher's teams leaned heavily on the run in Tennessee, and Brian Schottenheimer, the new offensive coordinator, has already stated his preference for having a pair of running backs. With that priority so clearly spelled out, the next step for the Rams will be finding a back or two to pair with Steven Jackson. One name to keep an eye on is San Diego Chargers free agent Mike Tolbert.

Rotoworld's Evan Silva has an excellent, thorough look at the free agent running back picture, and notes a connection between Tolbert and the Rams' new offensive coordinator.

Schottenheimer has roots in Norv Turner's system, which is an antecedent of the Air Coryell system. Tolbert is a good third down option as a decent pass blocker and a good pass catcher. He caught 54 passes last year for 433 yards and two touchdowns.

As a running back, the 243 lbs Tolbert is a solid option in short yardage and goal line situations. He does not have the kind of explosiveness needed for a feature back.

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we already got a big power back in sj39

Why would we need this guy

*Drew Bress Will Never Forget The Day He Got Chris Longed!!!!

by Ramzman18 on Feb 17, 2012 10:30 AM CST via mobile reply actions

I may be mistaken...

But I think the article said that this guy wasn’t a big power back… It sounded more like he’s a 3rd down option running back… One that you can either hand the ball off to, keep in the backfield to pass protect, or have him run a dump route to pick up a few yards out of the backfield… I don’t think they’d bring him in to be a 1st and 10 power house rb…

by RamsIchor on Feb 17, 2012 10:39 AM CST up reply actions

there are better options

for a pass-catching running back. Tolbert is a power runner that can catch. SJ 39 is a much better power runner that can catch. What we need is a change of pace type guy like Pead.

by DR225 on Feb 17, 2012 10:53 AM CST via mobile reply actions

Good guy! Isiah pead is my ideal back with a dose of lamichael james or rainey!

by Boy Yottic on Feb 17, 2012 11:52 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

No

Ill take a scar back that isn’t injured every play.

WE SUCK. THAT IS ALL.

by RAMSALLTHEWAY on Feb 17, 2012 10:55 AM CST via mobile reply actions

scat

WE SUCK. THAT IS ALL.

by RAMSALLTHEWAY on Feb 17, 2012 10:55 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

This dude is a bowling bowl who can catch....

I would take him for sure

by Rcoon1307 on Feb 17, 2012 10:58 AM CST via mobile reply actions

No we have a better version of him in SJax

we need a RB with explosiveness and speed. Chris Rainey is my guy.

Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.

by Brick Top on Feb 17, 2012 11:01 AM CST reply actions

But Chris Rainey can't run the ball in the NFL...

I do love his explosiveness and his straight line speed though. With our line Rainey will get killed

by Rcoon1307 on Feb 17, 2012 12:32 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Sure he can run the ball in the league

same thing was said about dexter mccluster and chirs johnson

Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.

by Brick Top on Feb 17, 2012 2:10 PM CST up reply actions

mccluster hasnt exactly been a good rb

by itsvon on Feb 17, 2012 3:10 PM CST up reply actions

Anyone think.....

We could get James from Oregon in the 3rd round? I’d rather have a change of pace back also. We don’t need another power runner behind SJax

by Paparro8 on Feb 17, 2012 11:02 AM CST reply actions

Probably could

but I would prefer Rainey, my new draft crush.

Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.

by Brick Top on Feb 17, 2012 11:03 AM CST up reply actions

He wouldn't be bad either

rainey is pure speed! I also like Chris Polk from Washington…

by Paparro8 on Feb 17, 2012 11:06 AM CST reply actions

i would love if polk fell all the way to the rams third round maybe even fourth.

by STLOUISRAMS on Feb 17, 2012 12:05 PM CST up reply actions

Polk seems like he could be a sleeper. He’s got great size and pretty good speed. I think he would be worth a shot if he fell to the third…

by Paparro8 on Feb 17, 2012 12:18 PM CST up reply actions

Gimme gimme gimme

Im sick of “oh, we need a scat back!” screw it. Give me Tolbert. We beat people up with SJax, then steam roll them with Tolbert

Note to Douglas M: Remember that 99% of what I say involves BS

by King Sam Rules! on Feb 17, 2012 11:47 AM CST via mobile reply actions

That would make sense

But we sure would need some help on the o-line. We havent been known for a smash mouth team

by Paparro8 on Feb 17, 2012 11:51 AM CST up reply actions

Im with ya....look at Norwood

He was a cat back and now has lost speed with the injury. Rainey is alot like Norwood. One injury to the knee and he is useless. I would take Tolbert especially since for ehatever reason Jackson struggles putting into into the endzone from inside the 5 yard line

by Rcoon1307 on Feb 17, 2012 12:47 PM CST up reply actions

scat

by Rcoon1307 on Feb 17, 2012 12:47 PM CST up reply actions

Smash Mouth Backs

OK I’m outdated and have yet to research on which RB are available for this draft. Myself I like smash mouth football so if you all can enlighten me on whom is available etc that would be great.

Just a man who loves football

by BurnoutJoeB. on Feb 17, 2012 12:02 PM CST reply actions

I would love this pickup! the rams need to add some toughness to the team and tolbert would fit great right behind jackson, if they made this pickup the rams would have a great backfield and would maybe finally be a feared running game in my opinion.

by STLOUISRAMS on Feb 17, 2012 12:03 PM CST reply actions

If we didnt have SJax sure

But we need a scar back, Lamicheal James in the early 4th would be great..

"I'm on the pursuit of happiness and I know
Everything that shine ain't always gonna be gold
I'll be fine once I get it, I'll be good"
-Kid Cudi

by RG31 on Feb 17, 2012 12:07 PM CST via mobile reply actions

We really don't need a scat back...

by Rcoon1307 on Feb 17, 2012 12:48 PM CST reply actions

Everyone is obsessed with the term "scat back" bc of Darren Sproles....

for every Sproles there are 200 Norwoods.

by Rcoon1307 on Feb 17, 2012 12:49 PM CST reply actions

Norwood pre Rams and pre injuries

was a great scat back for the Falcolns.

Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.

by Brick Top on Feb 17, 2012 2:10 PM CST up reply actions

id take him

i dont think you can have too much power right? when the opposing team has 2-240 lbs backs to tackle all game it would have to wear on them.

jackson doesnt need a change of pace, he is a stud. give him the ball as much as possible. tolbert is just a nice backup and occasional 3rd down back so spell jackson.

anyway, you could still pick up the proven nfl talent and draft your sub-200 lbs running back.

by itsvon on Feb 17, 2012 1:46 PM CST reply actions

Last season we got a caddy ....

… how did that turn out? His problem was in his lack of focus – - he gave the ball up at the wrong time! He caused us to lose points instead of TDs. It all depends on the system they run.

J FISHER ... BRILLIANT...!

Go RAMs !!!

by VETT on Feb 17, 2012 7:06 PM CST reply actions

As a California Rams Fan I gotta say

I’ve seen a lot of San Diego games and Tolbert is a stud. He’s not a feature back so he wouldn’t be taking the job of any starting running back….but dude has good hands, can block and is a total bowling ball. When he gets going he’s hard to bring down. Imagine pounding away with SJax and then tossing in a wrecking ball to loosen up some mortar and then hitting it again with some SJax. Two hard hitting studs for the entire game….that called some wear and tear on the defense.

"SJAX" - The extra strength cleaner that fights off that Stubborn, Stingy Defense

by moy on Feb 17, 2012 9:27 PM CST reply actions