[HUbison]

The response on the H-back question from the CIAFT...

Originally Posted by CIAFT

The H-back is a hybrid position which requires certain skill sets of both a TE and a FB. The best asset a H-back brings to the game is his flexibility. He has to be able to line up outside as a TE, but also in the backfield as a FB. However, the beauty of the H-back is, the spot he lines up in is rarely where he stands when the ball is snapped. He may line up outside as a TE, but motion inside to block like a pulling guard. Or he may line up in the backfield as a lead blocker, but motion outside to become a receiver. A recent success story for H-back is the Vikings Jim Kleinsasser. While Kleinsasser has plenty of size to play TE, he has been moved in the back-field as well as on the line for the Vikings. The top H-back in the game today is Washington's Chris Cooley. Playing in the Joe Gibbs motion-rich offense is the perfect setting for a versatile blocker/receiver like Cooley, and his back-up Mike Sellers to move around from position to position. Gibbs in the past would use smaller H-backs like the 210 lb. Kelvin Bryant to move back and forth in his set. But the H-back has shifted now to smaller college TE's without the size to play full-time on the line. A perfect example is the 6'1", 230 lb., Patriot H-back Garrett Mills. In Tulsa, Mills was an outstanding receiving TE, but lacks the ideal size to match up with NFL LBs and safeties. However, his athleticism and versatility allows him to fill the role of H-back for Belichek's team.