Raiders’ Crockett designed strictly for fullback

By Anthony Carroll  |   Monday, May 29, 2006  |  Comments( 23 )

Oakland Raiders
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans!
The "sledgehammer" didn't get his nickname through the finesse game.

Last season, Zack Crockett was forced into a role that requires a degree of finesse. As both the starting fullback and backup running back, Crockett finished the 2005 season with one of the lowest marks of his career. That failing mark came in the touchdown column, where he finished his 11th NFL season with just a single touchdown scamper.

On Crockett's grading scale that mark is far below failure.

After an uneventful three years with the Indianapolis Colts and '98 season with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Crockett joined the silver and black prior to the commencement of the 1999 campaign. That year, the 240-pound bruiser capped off his season with four touchdown runs.

From that point on, the number "32" simply clothed a wrecking ball.

In the glory years of the early 2000s, Crockett was amongst the most feared short-yardage bruisers in the NFL. In 2000, he contributed to a 12-4 campaign with 7 touchdowns on a limited 43 carries. Then, in 2001, he added another six goal line dives to his career total. In 2002--the team's Super Bowl-ending run--it was more of the same for the Florida State alumnus; he carried the ball 40 times that season, with eight resulting in six points on the scoreboard. In 2003, yet another seven touchdowns were added to his then-career total of 33.

Finally, in 2004, the wrecking ball hit an unyielding wall. With Amos Zereoue leading the rushing attack and Kerry Collins assailing through the air, touchdowns were scarce in Oakland. The Raiders finished the season with just ten rushing touchdowns--four from Tyrone Wheatley, three from Zereoue, two from Crockett, and one from Justin Fargas. Crockett's two-touchdown total in 2004 was his lowest sum since joining the Oakland Raiders back in 1999.

Consequently, in the offseason of 2005, owner Al Davis set out and acquired two offensive weapons to help shore up the touchdown dilemma of 2004. Randy Moss came in from Minnesota, while LaMont Jordan was shipped from New York. Together, each chipped in for well over 2,000 yards of offense; however, Crockett remained at a standstill. Listed as the official backup to LaMont Jordan, Crockett carried the pigskin 60 times for 208 yards and just a single touchdown. In all, he started two games at running back in which he carried the ball 30 times for just 88 yards--2.9 yards per carry.

Already approaching June 1st cuts, Crockett still appears as the early backup to Jordan. However, with time, the Raiders' chain of command should look to phase that role out of his gameday agenda. At 6-2, 240 pounds, Crockett isn't necessarily limited to exclusive fullback duties by size; however his running style fences him in that position. The 33-year-old veteran is a strictly methodical north-south back who puts his head down and shoulders forward to gain valuable yardage.

At fullback, that limited style is expected; at running back, that limited style is reviled.

When asked what an autobiography of his life would be titled, Crockett responded "The Train that Could."

Trains don't spin, hurdle, or juke. Trains go straight.

Trains aren't running backs, they are fullbacks.

Anthony Carroll can be contacted at acarroll@realfootball365.com

Get more on Zack Crockett at Realfootball365.com
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans! (23)

About Anthony Carroll

Anthony Carroll began writing for RealFootball365.com on Sept. 26, 2005, making him one of the longest tenured contributors to the “365” team. As a senior writer, Anthony has taken on the task of delivering original content to the silver and black faithful year round, despite having to deal...
read more
Article Tools Share!   |  RSS  |  Bleacher Report About Bleacher Report
CommentsComments: 23  |  Sign Up  View all comments
No.1
Mike Gero		10:53 AM
05/29/2006
Don't put Croc as only a FB just yet. Noval didn't know how to use the man (what did he know?). North/South runner - yes:...
No.2
daniel garcia		12:14 PM
05/29/2006
yes yes yes zach is strictly fullback we need to find a second running back before season starts or all the pressure is going to...
No.3
Jason		12:23 PM
05/29/2006
Everybody is jumping on the "Justin Fargas can't play," bandwagon. Fargas is a great speed rusher to compliment the bigger and...
Team News  |  View All Raiders Content
Oakland Raiders:  Is Nnamdi...
The Raiders have a lot of key free agents to sign. Guys like Zach Mil...
11 months, 3 weeks ago   |   Oakland Raiders:  Is Nnamdi Asomugha really done as a Raider? ( 15 )
Meanwhile… Back at the Asylu...
As many expected, the Oakland Raiders named offensive coordinator Hue...
1 year ago   |   Meanwhile… Back at the Asylum ( 1 )
The Oakland Comet Rides Agai...
The NFL post-season is underway, with a wild, wild, wildcard weekend i...
1 year, 1 month ago   |   The Oakland Comet Rides Again! ( 0 )
Eight and Eight Doesn’t Beat...
Note: This article was written prior to the news about Tom Cable being...
1 year, 1 month ago   |   Eight and Eight Doesn’t Beat Seven and Nine ( 3 )
Banner Day in Raider Nation
When you have a 24-hour period involving the Raiders sweeping one divi...
1 year, 2 months ago   |   Banner Day in Raider Nation ( 1 )