The Death of the Fullback - rudyjuly2's Blog

rudyjuly2's Blog

The Death of the Fullback

Posted on March 20, 2009 at 02:12 PM.

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I was watching the NFL-N last night and was watching some footage of the Dolphins vs. Raiders playoff game in 1974 (I think). The Dolphins of course had Larry Csonka. No such player exists in the NFL anymore. The FB that can block, catch and run! The Browns had a great backfield in the 80's with Ernest Byner and Kevin Mack where both runners had over 1000 yards rushing in 1985. They were just the third tandem to do this (Csonka/Morris Miami 1972; Franco Harris/Rocky Bleir Pitt 1976). It was just fun to watch the Dolphins run the football out of split sets featuring power sweeps and traps where both running backs can carry the football. Traps can really be effective, especially against some of these pass rushing teams where the DL constantly shoot gaps and yet I rarely see the inside trap anymore in the NFL. Having two effective runners in the backfield also makes you less predictable.

The evolution of the FB position has basically left that position as useless other than in short yardage. The 1990s saw the block only FB emerge. Guys like Lorenzo Neal were featured in the backfield. Darrly "Moose" Johnston could catch the ball but he was viewed as a lead blocker. In my opinion, these type of players devalue the position. They aren't dangerous or feared in any way. They only block so why not just use another OL? Can't we get more production out of that spot? Guys like Csonka and Kevin Mack provided that.

What we have seen is the trend towards the two TE set. This balances the field as there is no longer a strong or weak side of the field. The second TE can be put in motion and is also closer to the line of scrimmage and is a greater threat in the passing game. But does any NFL team really have a dangerous second TE? Not really. Just the "blocking" TE. These guys aren't adding a whole lot to the offense either. Teams with three WR sets like Arizona get a lot of bang for their buck at the last spot on offense, even if it's tradionally a passing set. Teams should start putting their best player in the 11th spot. If it's a FB or a TE or a WR or even an OL, use that as your base. Nobody said everyone has to employ a traditional pro-set offense as your base.

NFL teams don't want to put two great HBs on the field at the same time since one HB is deemed a blocking liabity. Yet almost every NFL team wants two good running backs on their team to provide a change of pace and protect against injury. Why not try to find a good power back and turn him into a traditional but effective FB? That solves two needs with one stone. NFL teams rarely think out of the box. The Dolphins last year showed they would do whatever it takes to win and they used the Wildcat. Now other teams are following suit. Could the all purpose FB make a successful return to the NFL?

Jacob Hester of San Diego could be one of those guys. Big running backs get labelled as "one backs" rather than all-purpose FBs. Nobody wants the star HB to block anymore so when the FB gets the ball, NFL teams see this as a waste. Why not have Hester in the backfield with LT and actually use misdirection as a weapon? Why not use the inside trap and find ways to get more offense?

It's funny how the NFL can change over time and then change back when things start working again. I'd like to see some more unique players like the true fullback make a comeback but I doubt it.

Comments

# 1 matt8204 @ Mar 20

Yeah, it's amazing that fullbacks get virtually no carries in today's game. You never know; things go in cycles...maybe the fullback will be sexy again one day.