What happened to the fullback?

[Bronco LB 59]

Fullbacks embody everything that is great about football. I think its a shame fullbacks have become the most underappreciated position in the NFL these days. Guards, centers and even kickers have become bigger household names. How many times do you see somebody pick their team of NFL All-Pros and select two halfbacks/running backs and leave a fullback off the team completely? I always see the same routine with collegiate All-American teams as well. Sorry, two running backs in one backfield is not a real football team.

I know football is an evolving sport and the game has changed where the position has played a less significant role in pass-happy offenses. One of these days, an innovative coach is going to incorporate the fullback with a heavy role again and football will be better for it. Bring back Jim Taylor and Marion Motley!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/BroncoLB56/MarionMotley.bmp

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/BroncoLB56/JimTaylor.bmp

[Bronco LB 59]

There's been plenty of Colts bashing on this site and I respect what they have done in recent years. However, they lost that game versus the Patriots because they were too much of a "finesse" team. They didn't know how to play a physical game when the field and elements required it. Their one back "stretch" running play is pretty soft. It's not a good compliment to their passing game. Tom Moore and the Colts need to bring the lead blocking fullback into their offense and run the ball right at the defense sometimes.

Any team that thinks they are too good for a fullback is not a real football team.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/BroncoLB56/Griffith.bmp

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/BroncoLB56/Beasley.bmp

[SoCalBronco]

There's been plenty of Colts bashing on this site and I respect what they have done in recent years. However, they lost that game versus the Patriots because they were too much of a "finesse" team. They didn't know how to play a physical game when the field and elements required it. Their one back "stretch" running play is pretty soft. It's not a good compliment to their passing game. Tom Moore and the Colts need to bring the lead blocking fullback into their offense and run the ball right at the defense sometimes.

Any team that thinks they are too good for a fullback is not a real football team.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/BroncoLB56/Griffith.bmp

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/BroncoLB56/Beasley.bmp

52, in a sense i agree with you on the Colts, however at the same time they have to use formations that best utilize their personnel. They loved the double tight end set and the basic three WR one back set. Getting either Stokley or Marcus Pollard in the game provided another key threat and mismatch against a LB whereas a FB wouldnt really provide such a threat. I do agree that they seem soft and if they had a bruiser they might be able to convert some tougher situations but at the same time, even with Edge in one back sets the run game seemed to be on the ball most of the time.

[Bronco LB 59]

52, in a sense i agree with you on the Colts, however at the same time they have to use formations that best utilize their personnel. They loved the double tight end set and the basic three WR one back set. Getting either Stokley or Marcus Pollard in the game provided another key threat and mismatch against a LB whereas a FB wouldnt really provide such a threat. I do agree that they seem soft and if they had a bruiser they might be able to convert some tougher situations but at the same time, even with Edge in one back sets the run game seemed to be on the ball most of the time.

I agree. The Colts do utilize their talent as well as anybody in the NFL and they did have a successful running game last season. James almost won the rushing title. I am not asking them to become the Pittsburgh Steelers, but they should incorporate some lead fullback, run it up the gut plays into their offense. In cold weather, a physical run game can take it's toll on a defense. You think linebackers like getting attacked head on and hit by a lead fullback all day long in cold weather? I am not saying it should be the Colts' bread and butter, but it should be there when they need it.

[Atlas]

I think Denver is on their way back to a dominate type of FB. I think Kyle Johnson is the real deal. I think he is going to be a real weapon on offense as well as a hard nosed blocker.

[SoCalBronco]

I agree. The Colts do utilize their talent as well as anybody in the NFL and they did have a successful running game last season. James almost won the rushing title. I am not asking them to become the Pittsburgh Steelers, but they should incorporate some lead fullback, run it up the gut plays into their offense. In cold weather, a physical run game can take it's toll on a defense. You think linebackers like getting attacked head on and hit by a lead fullback all day long in cold weather? I am not saying it should be the Colts' bread and butter, but it should be there when they need it.

I would agree with that.

[Sir Mawn]

I've been saying this for years. A Howard G. type FB would go along way in solving our not-very-effective redzone offense.

[Beantown Bronco]

Sorry, two running backs in one backfield is not a real football team.


That would've been a tough argument to make on Auburn's campus last season.

[Bronco LB 59]

That would've been a tough argument to make on Auburn's campus last season.

I have so much respect for Ronnie Brown's ability to block that I think he's a undersized fullback in many ways.

[Iowanian]

The Chiefs have always depended on, and utilize the fullback-hback heavily.

Tony Richardson is nearly as responsible for the Rushing success in KC as the oline.

[Taco John]

The Chiefs have always depended on, and utilize the fullback-hback heavily.

Tony Richardson is nearly as responsible for the Rushing success in KC as the oline.



Richardson is more a Mike Anderson style fullback than a Howard Griffith style. I respect Richardson's role in your offense, but he's not the type who can swallow a LB whole and rumble past him to target the SS.

[MT-Tdawg]

Fullback? What the heck is a fullback???

[Ray Finkle]

Richardson is more a Mike Anderson style fullback than a Howard Griffith style. I respect Richardson's role in your offense, but he's not the type who can swallow a LB whole and rumble past him to target the SS.


True the key thing about Richardson is that he is rarely out of postion......a really smart player.

[Iowanian]

Taco.......did you happen to catch the Chiefs-Ravens game last season? You may recall alot of footage showing Ray Lewis Crying like broncofan52 when he can't find his binky...

Richardson destroyed him several times.....but then again, so did a rookie, backup-backup RT.

At his advancing age, he's not a howard Griffith, who obviously was a crushing blocker...but through his career has been a great blocker in both the run and passing game, good at catching passes out of the backfield and a solid runner when called upon.

[Atlas]

True the key thing about Richardson is that he is rarely out of postion......a really smart player.

Out of position? Don't they lineup in front of the Tailback? How hard can that be???

[Beantown Bronco]

At his advancing age, he's not a howard Griffith, who obviously was a crushing blocker...but through his career has been a great blocker in both the run and passing game, good at catching passes out of the backfield and a solid runner when called upon.

Same could be said for Mack Strong in Seattle. He may be my favorite at the position.

[Bronco LB 59]

Richardson destroyed him several times.....but then again, so did a rookie, backup-backup RT.

At his advancing age, he's not a howard Griffith, who obviously was a crushing blocker...but through his career has been a great blocker in both the run and passing game, good at catching passes out of the backfield and a solid runner when called upon.

I have always respected TRich's game. He rushed for 156 yards in week 16 of the 2000 season versus the Broncos to knock them out of the driver seat to win the AFC West. Fullbacks should be measured by their versatility and TRich is as well-rounded as they come.