Jump to content

  • Welcome!

    Register and log in easily with Twitter or Google accounts!

    Or simply create a new Huddle account. 

    Members receive fewer ads , access our dark theme, and the ability to join the discussion!

     

Dear NFL: Bring Back the Fullback

Jeremy Igo

By Jeremy Igo,
in Carolina Panthers

 Share

Recommended Posts

Jeremy Igo Newbie

Jeremy Igo

Posted
Posted

For fans of smash mouth football, the demise of the punishing NFL fullback has had a negative impact on maximum game enjoyment. Gone are the days of a 250lb work horse demolishing a linebacker as he paves the way to the end zone. Yes, I miss the blocking fullback. If you would frequently find yourself zoning in on a crushing block instead of the ball crossing the goal line, you probably miss them too. 

It seems we are not alone...

 

 

As PFF noted, fullbacks have become a thing of the past. But could that change? 

Over the past decade, defenses have adjusted both physically and within their schemes to defend against the offensives without fullbacks. Linebackers have gotten smaller, faster. More defensive sub-packages are being used than ever. Across the league the typical 4-3 is giving way to hybrid nickel and other formations. Teams are less worried about their linebackers getting dominated physically, but being out run. 

It is my contention that now may be the perfect time to bring back the punishing fullback, before defenses can easily adjust to them. 

A few weeks ago I was promoting Lee Ward as a guy on the Carolina Panthers roster that could immediately fill this role. Ward is a pure blocking specialist, almost perfect in technique. A quick look at his highlight reel from college will get any red blooded American football fan excited. 

Also, Panthers offensive coordinator Mike Shula does have experience with this type of player. As offensive coordinator in Tampa Bay, Shula utilized all time fullback great Lorenzo Neal as a blocking specialist, paving the way for the shifty Warrick Dunn and also for Mike Alstott in their rhino package. 

Could we see Ward in the same role in Carolina? Imagine him blocking for Jordan Todman, or perhaps on the goal line in front of Mike Tolbert. 

What say you Panthers fans... Are you ready for the blocking fullback to return? 



View full article

  • Pie 8
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Jmac Grand Master

Jmac

Posted
Posted (edited)

They have a mack truck waiting in the wings. Shula should know how to use the kid since they had a bruiser in Tampa Bay. We will see what happens Add Tolbert,Stew, and Cam to the mix and you have a wrecking crew to deal with.

Edited by Jmac
Link to comment
Share on other sites
frash.exe Apprentice

frash.exe

Posted
Posted

Honestly, I don't see it as a priority

 

people thought there would be a rush of teams following the Seahawks power football formula after 2013, yet that hasn't really happened at all. I'd rather like to see the panthers work on their red zone offense and no huddle/2 minute drills because that's where they have the most room for improvement. The offense needs to be able to function in fourth gear if we find ourselves behind.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Jeremy Igo Newbie

Jeremy Igo

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Honestly, I don't see it as a priority

 

people thought there would be a rush of teams following the Seahawks power football formula after 2013, yet that hasn't really happened at all. I'd rather like to see the panthers work on their red zone offense and no huddle/2 minute drills because that's where they have the most room for improvement. The offense needs to be able to function in fourth gear if we find ourselves behind.

Red zone touchdowns should be a #1 priority this season. A blocking fullback could be a part of the solution. 

  • Pie 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
TN05 Mentor

TN05

Posted
Posted

The big problem with blocking fullbacks is the same as the problem with blocking tight ends: they can't catch worth crap. Having a blocking fullback or tight end on field is a dead giveaway you are going to run the ball, unless you keep him on the field the whole game, which necessarily limits your quarterback's ability to throw.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Nick_81 Newbie

Nick_81

Posted
Posted

I'd be all for that poo.  Too much focus on our passing game to begin with.  We try to be a run first offense anyway, and this would only help that... in a tremendous way.  You get defenses worried about a guy like Ward coming out of the backfield, with the receiving corps we have(err, think we'll have), and I believe panic will be widespread.  Most defenses won't have the personnel to compensate.  It opens up a poo ton of options, because they will have to focus on trying to stop it.

  • Pie 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Nick_81 Newbie

Nick_81

Posted
Posted (edited)

The big problem with blocking fullbacks is the same as the problem with blocking tight ends: they can't catch worth crap. Having a blocking fullback or tight end on field is a dead giveaway you are going to run the ball, unless you keep him on the field the whole game, which necessarily limits your quarterback's ability to throw.

Not necessarily.  You would still have two wide receivers, Olsen, and your running back on the field.  That's four options right there.  If the FB has any ability to catch a pass, you win.

Edited by Nick_81
  • Pie 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites
coralreefer_1 Newbie

coralreefer_1

Posted
Posted

Would we be even talking about this if we were not in a position to use/capitalize on such a thing?

 

Great if it happens, but let me ask the usual questions here on thhe hudddle.

 

Can he play LT?

Can we trust Shula to use such talent?

 

 

Now that the obligatory peanut gallery crap is out of the way, I would totally LOVE of such to come to pass!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • PMH4OWPW7JD2TDGWZKTOYL2T3E.jpg

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • tukafan21
      Well, the Niners just doomed themselves to mediocrity

      By tukafan21 · Posted

      Um, no, just no. Bills, Chiefs, Chargers, Ravens, Bengals, Texans, Eagles, Commanders are 8 teams that it's not even a debate, they aren't trading their QB for Purdy. Patriots, Broncos, Titans, Giants, Bears, Vikings, Falcons are 7 more teams with QBs drafted in the last 2 years that also would rather stick with them than trade for Purdy as they all have more upside than he does. Lions, Packers, Cowboys, Bucs are 4 more that would likely keep their QB's as well, age aside for Goff, Dak, and Baker. Panthers and Colts are two teams in the same situation, QB's who have both struggled and shown flashes to where the teams probably stick with them because they drafted them, but in a re-draft of all QB's, they probably take Purdy over the guy they currently have. Jags, Cardinals, Dolphins, are 3 more with QB's who probably have a higher upside than Purdy but come with their own question marks, so debatable if they'd take Purdy over who they already have. That leaves Jets, Raiders, Steelers, Browns, Saints, Seahawks, and Rams. Rams would take him over Stafford for the future of course, but not for 2025, and I'd think the Seahawks would take him over Darnold, but honestly not sure if they would take him over Milroe at this moment as they really like his potential and have him for 4 years really cheap. That leaves 5 teams that I see who would absolutely take him over their current situation right now, and a handful of others who MIGHT take him over their current guy, a far cry from your 20.  
    • ForJimmy
      The Bryce Trade is Finally Complete. Who Won the Trade? Panthers vs Bears

      By ForJimmy · Posted

      Agreed. Also as soon as they received the top pick in the next draft it was over. Bears won that trade. Gave up a top overall pick got one the next year plus pick 9, a couple 2nds, and DJ Moore a proven young WR. Had their 2024 pick from us be in the late teens or later it would be more debatable IMO. 
    • Loyalty4Life
      Well, the Niners just doomed themselves to mediocrity

      By Loyalty4Life · Posted

      Option A:  Pay your starting QB starting QB money. Option B:  Look for a starting QB for 4-10 years (or longer) while wasting the talent at every other position.    How many of the top 20 QB's do you think are worth what they are being paid?   When you factor in the last year of his present deal his contract is really an average of 45 million per year which in today's QB market is a very, very good deal. I wish we'd had found a Brock Purdy to pay 50+ million a year right after we parted ways with Cam.  Ya'll go ahead and live in fairy tale land where good to great (much less elite) QB's are available to pay. Just the fact that they had the chance to pay Brock after the disaster of trading up for Lance is a testament that when you find a quarter back you can win with, complete in the playoffs and superbowls with, you pay him.  
×
×
  • Create New...