The death of the Fullback?

[simpleman]

Bleacher Report. postulates that "Peyton-Hillis-nfl-career-in-jeopardy-after-release-from-tampa-bay-buccaneers"

Sad to see another athlete with heart is probably leaving the game. And NO this is not a “Sign Um” post. He is only 27. He gave his all on the field. Like many others. This is not just about him, it is being discussed in another thread.

 

His release is no doubt due to his declining production due to his badly beat up body. But the article mentions the decline in the fullback position in general. What this posting is about is asking if TBD believes that fullback is a dying position? And if it is, is it permanent? Or do you think the evolution of football is more cyclical and the current fad of a dominating fixation on the “passing game” at the expense of the other half of the game, the “running game” may not be permanent. That like the wildcat and the hurry up, it is just a hot fad that will someday fade and the power running game will make a comeback?

Edited September 22, 2013 by simpleman

[ExiledInIllinois]

Matt Forte when they tagged him: "They grind you to a pulp."

[Gray Beard]

The days of Sam Gash blocking, rushing and being used as a dump off receiver a few times per game are a thing of the past. Now the trend is to have a big back or tight end who can each do some combination of those things with a little more speed and a little less bulk. I think it's a shame, I still think having a fullback with a mean streak should be on the roster. I always felt Corey Mac was underutilized.

[Andrew Son]

I know Summers made a big mistake last week but let's not get carried away...

[boyst]

In a few years the running game will outshine the passing game. As teaks get faster they get lighter. As teams get taller they get less leverage. The running back will take advantage of this in a few seasons as teams will have to stack the box to stop him. They'll have to rely on the DL who will be space eaters on short downs and pass rushers primarily. A back that can elude the tackle or make the outside runs wins

[Captain Hindsight]

In a few years the running game will outshine the passing game. As teaks get faster they get lighter. As teams get taller they get less leverage. The running back will take advantage of this in a few seasons as teams will have to stack the box to stop him. They'll have to rely on the DL who will be space eaters on short downs and pass rushers primarily. A back that can elude the tackle or make the outside runs wins

Every thing occurs in cycles. The running game will be back

[Nanker]

RIP FB.

Alas, we hardly knew ye.

[San Jose Bills Fan]

The fullback is dead!

 

Long live the fullback!!!

[BuffaloBill]

Every thing occurs in cycles. The running game will be back

 

I disagree because the rules changes have favored QB's and WR's. the NFL seems to be happy with the current style of play and if anything I think they will look to continue to enhance it. Grind it out on the ground games are less appealing to fans. Look at the fascination with the deep ball amongst the members of TBD.

 

Having said the above there will always be a place for the running game. There has to be enough balance to keep defenses honest. Though the bruising, blocking fullback as a part of the running game does seem to be a role that is gone.

[BUNCH OF MULARKEY]

I've always liked the old school mindset of a power running game. Nothin demoralizes a defense like going on a long drive runnin it down their throats.

However it's such a passing league today and the skilled positions are so good that ya have to follow suit just to keep pace, so I think the fullback position is in trouble.

I think if you use a fullback properly it can still be useful, obviously short yardage; play action stuff.

I don't really like the way they have used summers. In the pre season they had him lead blocking for spiller, not anymore. Don't think I've seen him on goal line either.

[BillsBruce]

Carwell Gardner #35. Still, and always will be, one of my favorite Bills. Loved his blocking, power running and kicking Bryan Cox's arse. Saw him ice the game vs. the Packers at the Rich in '94.

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

Every thing occurs in cycles. The running game will be back

 

I agree. Wasn't the TE dead a few years ago? Now, every team needs 2 stud TEs. All cyclical.

[Offside Number 76]

Every thing occurs in cycles. The running game will be back

 

Exactly what I came to say. Not just the running game, but fullbacks specifically, will be back. All it will take is one team succeeding with a stud fullback, and the rest of the league will follow.

[/dev/null]

Every thing occurs in cycles. The running game will be back

 

My thoughts exactly.

 

Remember when Mike Vick was going to redefine the QB position? Or Kordell Stewart as Slash? Or Randall Cunningham as the Ultimate Weapon? Everything old is new again.

 

Not only is the NFL cyclical, it's a copycat league. Everybody is gearing up for the read option/spread, both offensively and defensively. Some scheming Offensive Coordinator will recognize this and start running the ball again successfully. Other teams will be like, hey we need to try that too! Circle of life

[l< j]

I know Summers made a big mistake last week but let's not get carried away...

 

Perfect.

[Rockinon]

I don't know. I kind of think this high speed offense the Bills are using is designed to wear defenses down. Just imagine an air sucking, fast pace for three quarters and then in comes a fullback and a power run game that just utterly demoralizes a defense. I remember Pittsburgh just pounding the rock with the Bus not so long ago with great deal of success. It's not a completely dead trade. New England has been running a very fast offense too. We all know that their attack is very much Tom Brady slinging the ball but few people put much stock in their running attack, which is a big mistake. They can run the ball and I think it's success has a lot to do with the fast pace they run. The fullback? I think he can still be useful.

[Pete]

Carwell Gardner #35. Still, and always will be, one of my favorite Bills. Loved his blocking, power running and kicking Bryan Cox's arse. Saw him ice the game vs. the Packers at the Rich in '94.

Amen. Carwell is one of my all time favorites as well. What a tough SOB! He laid some people out too on special teams

[Not at the table Karlos]

They have been saying the fullback is dying for years now. Everything goes in circles like others have already said. The run game will be back in focus soon

[San Jose Bills Fan]

They have been saying the fullback is dying for years now. Everything goes in circles like others have already said. The run game will be back in focus soon

 

Well it's one thing to say that the run game will comeback and it's another thing to say that the fullback will have any role in the run game coming back.

 

The point was made upthread about the rules continuously evolving in favor of the passing game.

 

While I don't doubt the running game will swing back a bit, it's really a matter of how much.

 

Year Pass Ratio Run Ratio
1970  48.27%  51.73%
1971  46.37%  53.63%
1972  44.36%  55.64%
1973  42.86%  57.14%
1974  45.47%  54.53%
1975  45.18%  54.82%
1976  43.83%  56.17%
1977  42.30%  57.70%
1978  44.43%  55.57%
1979  48.04%  51.96%
1980  50.60%  49.40%
1981  51.17%  48.83%
1982  52.57%  47.43%
1983  51.78%  48.22%
1984  53.10%  46.90%
1985  53.56%  46.44%
1986  53.70%  46.30%
1987  52.53%  47.47%
1988  52.76%  47.24%
1989  54.17%  45.83%
1990  53.96%  46.04%
1991  54.89%  45.11%
1992  54.20%  45.80%
1993  54.95%  45.05%
1994  56.03%  43.97%
1995  57.39%  42.61%
1996  55.67%  44.33%
1997  55.46%  44.54%
1998  55.17%  44.83%
1999  57.07%  42.93%
2000  56.21%  43.79%
2001  55.98%  44.02%
2002  56.70%  43.30%
2003  54.79%  45.21%
2004  54.88%  45.12%
2005  55.11%  44.89%
2006  54.85%  45.15%
2007  56.47%  43.53%
2008  55.43%  44.57%
2009  56.28%  43.72%
2010  56.93%  43.07%
2011  57.10%  42.90%

Edited September 22, 2013 by San Jose Bills Fan

[Max997]

The FB position died a long time ago

 

And Hillis wasn't really a traditional FB when you think about