I realize that the Pistol, Spread, and West Coast offenses have revolutionized college football (and slowly pro football too), but does anyone out there agree with me that a fullback is perhaps an all-purpose position that is being unnecessarily phased out? Daryl Johnston (Dallas), Mike Alstott (Tampa Bay), Mack Strong (Seattle)....those have been the last three great fullbacks currently in the NFL. With the NFL being inundated with WRs, why wouldn't colleges start utilizing FBs in an effective ground game with a balanced or pro-formation?
Can someone please elaborate and offer up your points? Thanx!
2007-07-31 09:17:54 · 9 answers · asked by Dr. Semi-Evil 6 in Sports ➔ Football (American)
Sorry, I forgot Lorenzo Neal for San Diego. My bad....he is a VERY good FB. Has been for several years.
2007-07-31 09:25:23 · update #1
The fullback is a dying breed. This has to do with 2 factors (in my opinion) - the first is football programs are copycats. If one team wins, others will emulate what they're doing. This is obvious with the passing attacks. Football programs like USC, NE patriots and the Rams show that passing can win, so other teams copy. The more you pass, the more spread receiver sets you use. Even on top of that, if you line up with 3 or 4 wides, that means 1 back, maybe a tight end... no room for fullback. A back can succeed in this formation because the defense will have to use a nickel or dime package, giving the advantage to the back.
Now onto the the second theory - the revival of the H-back. (see cooley from the redskins) - who plays the role of a blocking tightend who is used in motion, and typically will line up in the backfield. This confuses defenses, because the H can run a formation in a pass route, or block, or use misdirection to pull the defense away from where the back is going to run.
It will make a comeback. Dallas' new offense will be similar to the 90's dynasty will Jason Garrett running their offense, who played with Moose.
Many teams also like to use 2 tight end sets to keep the defense guessing. When you line up 1 TE and a FB, most times they'll run behind the strong side. With 2 TE's the back can run either direction, or can be a passsing play with 1 or both TE's running routes.
2007-07-31 09:32:03 · answer #1 · answered by david g 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because of the pass oriented offenses in the NFL the FB has become a glorified OL, many teams have done away with the FB all together and are using the H-Back (usually a TE so they have another better pass catching option). Blame the downfall of the FB on the increasing rules favoring offensive production.
2007-07-31 09:28:48 · answer #2 · answered by ndmagicman 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
sadly I hate the elimination of the true FB position.. and I have to say that Ronnie Brown did alot of damage to it his Senior year at Auburn.. the "F-Back" which is a hybrid half back lined up in the FB slot who has great hands (usually best on the team) and is used extensively in the passing game
2007-07-31 10:15:22 · answer #3 · answered by deacon_frost06 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't think the fullback is being phased out at all. Draft-wise, yes. But overall, definitely not.
For most predominantly passing college teams, you naturally aren't going to see a fullback. For rushing teams like A&M, you can't survive without a good fullback.
Simply because teams are not handing the ball to their fullback as much as before doesn't mean that fullbacks are being phased out. A good fullback is still necessary.
As for your last question, colleges are trending away from handing the ball off to their fullbacks because they are beginning to realize that the advantages of getting the ball to their athletes in space outweighs the strategic advantage of the fullback handoff. Just my 2 cents.
2007-07-31 09:41:25 · answer #4 · answered by amongan 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The classic fullback has come and gone two-three times in the last 35 years. I like smash-mouth football, so I want my fullback.
2007-07-31 09:27:10 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I know. I love the use of the fullback. They do everything on the field. They run, block, catch, I even saw one throw once. I guess that the new offencive styles didn't have that much use for one.
2007-07-31 09:27:58 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
i wouldn't ask that question to dan kreider. he generally pancakes ray lewis about 5 times a game when the steelers play the ravens.
2007-07-31 09:31:16 · answer #7 · answered by Mr. T 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
depends on the team style how about the greatest fullback of all time he is at the pro bowl every year----lorenzo neal
2007-07-31 09:21:05 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
Mike Alstott is the last true full back left.
2007-07-31 09:23:53 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋