Fullback not obsolete for Miami

By Marc Hudgens  |   Wednesday, August 29, 2007  |  Comments( 7 )

Miami Dolphins
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OK, I'll admit I have a soft spot in my heart for the fullback. Naturally, then, when an NFL Network analyst said a few weeks ago the position is quickly becoming obsolete, I almost had an aneurysm.

Obviously, he hasn't seen the Miami Dolphins' Cory Schlesinger and Reagan Mauia in action over the past three preseason games.

Below is a list of plays featuring the two FBs in ball-carrying situations:

Jacksonville at Miami:

First quarter, 4:15 mark, fourth and 1: Schlesinger up the middle for 2 yards (first down ensues).

Second quarter, 2:47 mark, second and 1: Mauia up the middle for 2 yards (first down ensues).

Second quarter, 0:50 mark, third and 6: Trent Green throws incomplete to Mauia (no progress).

Fourth quarter, 13:53 mark, second and 5: Cleo Lemon passes to Mauia for 7 yards (first down ensues).

Fourth quarter, 0:42 mark, first and 10: Mauia off left guard for 2 yards (progress).


Miami at Kansas City:

First quarter, 14:54 mark, third and 10: Green's pass incomplete to Schlesinger (no progress).

First quarter, 0:07 mark, second and 6: Lemon passes to Mauia for 1 yard (progress).

Second quarter, 9:27 mark, third and 2: Mauia up the middle for 3 yards (first down ensues).

Third quarter, 10:28 mark, fourth and 1: Mauia up the middle for 2 yards (first down ensues).


Tampa Bay at Miami:

First quarter, 10:27 mark, second and 1: Schlesinger up the middle for 2 yards (first down ensues).

First quarter, 4:59 mark, second and 2: Schlesinger up the middle for 1 yard (progress).

First quarter, 2:36 mark, first and goal: Schlesinger up the middle to 1-yard line for 1 yard (progress).

Between the two big men during the past three games, you're looking at six first downs on 12 attempts, five of which were runs. Four of the remaining six attempts were productive but minor. Only two of the 12 tries netted zero progress, both being pass attempts that may be considered too long of yardage for a fullback. Throw in that Schlesinger has good hands -- as proven by the 247-pounder totaling 197 receptions during his 12-year stint with the Lions -- and Miami has an under-the-radar backfield threat that, when used wisely, has the potential to be highly dangerous.

Labeling this productive position as obsolete is mind-boggling.

Should the use of Schlesinger and the 270-pound Mauia increase? Absolutely not. But when the chips are down and you're faced with short yardage and the opposing defense is keying in on your star backs, these guys will produce and get near or past the first-down marker before the defense realizes what happened.

Using these huge bruisers is also important if the offensive line isn't doing its job sufficiently and opening holes up for Ronnie Brown, Jesse Chatman and Lorenzo Booker. The two fullbacks will make extra holes.

Head coach Cam Cameron is using both of his FBs the right way, mostly in short-yardage situations.

Fullbacks should be considered more than just glorified linemen, particularly when a team -- Miami, for instance -- has the experience and talent behind the quarterback. You take them out of the picture and that's just more pressure for the QB and an offense whose niche is the running game.

A talented fullback works very well the majority of the time he's used, so how can that be obsolete? Schlesinger and Mauia are keeping the position alive and well in Miami.
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About Marc Hudgens

Marc Hudgens has been with RealFootball365 since 2007, covering college football, specifically Clemson and Oregon. He also writes for SouthernPigskin.com covering the ACC. He enjoys the acidic wit of Hunter S. Thompson, is a freelance graphic designer and has written several screenplays. He...
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CommentsComments: 7  |  Sign Up  View all comments
No.1
Randy		10:59 AM
08/29/2007
Good, insightful article with meaningful stats to back it up. Nice job. I think Miami's two FBs are going to be a boon to the...
No.2
Budman		12:27 PM
08/29/2007
When your OL is suspect, the use of an H-back or a Fullback helps. It is less useful when you have an OL that can do its job...
No.3
abacus		02:27 PM
08/29/2007
The Chargers and Seahawks have great offensive lines yet still employ fullbacks regularly. And sure enough they have two of the...
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