Fullback position could be cooked
Football is a game of trends.
The Wildcat, the Run & Shoot Offense and Cover Two defenses might be hot right now (that Hansel, he's so hot right now), but who knows what the football landscape will look like five or 10 years down the road.
In the NFL, the fullback position has evolved from a vital part of most offenses to an afterthought, with some teams now choosing not to utilize a true blocking/short-yardage back at all.
The Ravens carried two fullbacks last season, although despite his Pro Bowl nod at the position, it would be hard to argue that Le'Ron McClain was what you would call a "true fullback". While he did serve as the lead blocker on occasion, McClain led the team in carries and rushing yards, making him mostly a tailback in a fullback's body.
Lorenzo Neal was the other fullback last year, and he's as "true" as they come at the position. The 38-year-old Neal once led the way for a 1,000-yard rusher in 11 straight seasons, and he did a great job last season of adding a physical dimension and a veteran presence to the Baltimore offense.
But the Ravens chose not to re-sign Neal this offseason, and while McClain will get more time as a lead blocker this year, he will still get a share of the carries as well. That potential void at the fullback spot could open the door for a new face.
Enter Jason Cook.
Cook, a 6-foot, 242 pound battering ram, signed with Baltimore as a rookie free agent after going undrafted this April. He played his college ball with Ravens' first-round pick Michael Oher at Ole Miss, and both served as team captains during their senior seasons.
The gregarious 23-year-old has made definite strides as the offseason has progressed, and while he told me he's his worst critic and he feels like he's got a lot of work left to do, Cook admitted he's feeling more comfortable with his role and the offense in general.
Now all he needs to do is go into training camp and prove to the coaching staff that they would be wise to keep him around.
"I think ultimately, my goal is just to make the team, but the opportunity in itself is just absolutely phenomenal," Cook said recently. "To get a chance to play fullback for the Baltimore Ravens is absolutely incredible.
"I'm just doing everything I can to show these coaches that they didn't make a mistake by bringing me here."
As for where Cook stands so far, the Ravens' brass like what they've seen, but head coach John Harbaugh admits that like many other NFL teams, Baltimore's days of carrying a full-time fullback might be over.
"There's a lot of ways to address that position," Harbaugh said. "It can be tight ends, it can be defensive guys coming over and blocking people, and it can be a true fullback. And Le'Ron can do it. So, we'll find whatever guys can fill the role and [offensive coordinator] Cam [Cameron] is real creative with that. But Cook is in the mix."
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Categories (click for archive)Dan Kolko | Ravens News |
Man, if we have found a FULLBACK as one of our next undrafted gems, that would be incredible. I do think, however, McClain is best served as being a lead blocker while occasionally getting a short yardage and goal line carry. But, with McGahee's questionable work ethic, I certainly wouldn't mind seeing Le'Ron toting the rock with Cook as his blocker.
Hansel...so hot right now. I still wish we'd brought back Neal, the guy was a beast. But if Cook can step up, this might be a great opportunity for him to make the squad.
Dan -- why do you think fullbacks aren't being used as much in today's game? What's the reason for the change over the years?
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Tim,
Like Coach Harbaugh said, a lot of teams nowadays are choosing to use a backup tight end or another big-bodied player as a lead blocker. The thing of it is, if you don't have a true fullback on your gameday roster, that's one spot that can be used for an offensive lineman, cornerback, or another position which is a greater area of need. Fullbacks might see 15-20 snaps a game, and if you can swap in a good blocking tight end in his place, you won't lose too much there and you'll gain extra roster flexibility.
-Dan
I was a fan of Neal, and loved the way he embraced and excelled in his battering ram role. I also loved watching him blast through would be tacklers on his occasional runs and screens. I don't see McClain in that role--he is just too good a runner to waste, and I'm not sure that he has the type of body that can take the hits that a true fullback will take if he is doing his job moving big linebackers and linemen out of the way. If Cook wants to make the team, he better show he is an enthusiastic and talented special teams player in addition to a replacement to Lorenzo.