Fullbacks are the sacrificial lambs of their offence, and unfortunately in the modern game, the position has almost become obsolete. The fullback is officially a dying breed.
Usually lined up in the backfield next to or in front of the halfback, the fullback’s primary assignment is to be the lead blocker, creating holes and running lanes for the halfback. They are also used in goal-line situations to punch the ball through into the end zone due to their strength and power.
Who doesn’t love watching the big boys run the football or lay brutal hits on defenders? On average, the fullback weighs 125kg and is a human wrecking ball. They are a hybrid, a cross between an offensive lineman and a running back.
In today’s game, the best fullbacks are the Atlanta Falcons’ Patrick DiMarco, second year fullback Jalston Fowler from the Tennessee Titans, and Marcel Reece, who was recently released by the Oakland Raiders.
Reece was delisted in late September and is still a free agent. A player of his calibre would have been claimed off the waivers if he played in a different position. Sadly, fullbacks are slowly becoming extinct.
One of the most famous halfback and fullback combinations was the Dallas Cowboys’ duo Emmitt Smith and Daryl ‘Moose’ Johnston. Johnston paved the way for Smith’s NFL Hall of Fame career, as he became the NFL’s leading rusher with 18,355 yards from scrimmage.
Winning three Super Bowls for the dominant Dallas Cowboys in the 1990’s, Smith and Johnston will go down as the best halfback and fullback pair in the NFL’s history. Smith speaks highly of his fullback, telling SportsDay, “We both liked battling and taking on giants. I understand what he sacrificed for me, and I have no words for it.”
Smith would not be the league’s leading rusher if wasn’t for Johnston.
In the modern game, during goal-line situations, you will often see an offensive lineman or tight end in the backfield to open up holes for halfbacks instead of a fullback. These days, not many NFL teams use fullbacks in their schemes.
The Arizona Cardinals do not even have a fullback on their roster.
Making this more interesting is the fact that the fullback has scored the first rushing touchdown of the season for three straight years.
Each team has different strengths and weaknesses on their roster. Modern offences are opting for twin tight end sets, using them as blockers in the backfield in lieu of the fullback. Last season no team had a fullback on the field for more than half of their offensive snaps.
Never again will we see the comradery and friendship that Smith and Johnston enjoyed.
And for those old school fans, the fullback may become a distant memory.
Daniel Juchima
Roar Rookie
Hi Mal, I couldn't agree with you more. I would hate to see the Running Back's lose value, they are my all time favorite position! The Panthers do use a completely different scheme. There is no doubt that Derek Watt is helping to open up more holes for Gordon, another great observation!
Daniel Juchima
Roar Rookie
Yes he was a star!
Mal Webster
Roar Rookie
I agree, I think it has a lot to do with the NFL becoming more of a passing league and so tight ends can offer more. Even the running back position is losing a bit of value. A lot of what the Panthers do in the run game requires a good fullback but even they use Tolbert almost like a tail back at times! The San Diego Chargers drafted Derek Watt to block for Melvin Gordon this year and he has shown a lot of improvement, but may be coincidental (can't say that I have the stats on hand).
Bexdog
Guest
Tim Riggins all day
Daniel Juchima
Roar Rookie
Hi Nate, Thanks for reading my blog post. Oh yes Howard Griffith was a beast! He opened up so many holes for TD! That was a great era of football, that Broncos team was one of the greats! Glad to see there are so many people that appreciate the Fullback position!
Daniel Juchima
Roar Rookie
Hi Hugo, Thanks for reading my article. That Jim Taylor story is hilarious, i hadn't heard that before! Jim Brown was the greatest of all time! He is still so highly regarded. All of us old school fans remember the importance of the Fullback!
Nate
Guest
Will always have plenty of love for Howard Griffith as the man paving the way for Terrell Davis. He was a beast.
Hugo
Guest
There have been some great ones. I saw several (on tv) like Csonka, Riggins and Harris. Jim Brown was the greatest, an amazing runner. Jim Taylor was the meanest. In one game, on his way to the end zone, a safety raced across in an effort to grab him. Taylor saw him coming and swerved infield just so he could run him over. When asked about it, Taylor smiled and said, "You gotta sting 'em."