Versatility makes Mughelli a tantalizing free agent

By Paul Eide  |   Friday, February 09, 2007  |  Comments( 4 )

Baltimore Ravens
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The predominance of the West Coast offense in the NFL has forced the fullback position to either adapt or die. Thanks primarily to defenses that are faster and better coordinated than ever before, the era of the space-eating lead blocker is quietly being ushered to the rest home.

At 6-foot-1, 255 pounds, Baltimore Ravens fullback Ovie Mughelli is built like a traditional "blocker," but his 21 receptions tied Mike Alstott for fourth most in the NFL among fullbacks in 2006 and speak of his versatility and athleticism.

"Just blocking doesn't do it anymore," said Mughelli. "The defense gets better every year. They're able to come up with more and more ways to stop us, and the offenses around the league realize we (fullbacks) need to do more than plug holes or run over linebackers. The fact that I'm able to get out into the flat or line up in the slot allows me to get the ball and make some plays, but it also clears up space for the rest of the offense because I'm a viable receiver."

Mughelli's '06 season started out slowly but finished in an ideal fashion for a player slated to become an unrestricted free agent this March.

Through the team's first six games, Mughelli was used solely as a blocker, receiving zero touches while Jim Fassel presided as the Ravens' offensive coordinator.

But after Fassel was fired in Week 7, head coach Brian Billick took over the play-calling duties, and the West Coast proponent spread the ball around, making every receiver on the field -- including the fullback -- a threat to contribute. Not only did Mughelli become more involved in the offense, he produced at the highest level of his four-year career.

Over the season's last eight games, Mughelli had 21 receptions, 229 total yards, scored two touchdowns and asserted himself as one of the most versatile fullbacks in the league, contributing to his selection as a second-team NFL All-Pro.

Still true to the heart of his position, Mughelli's physical presence opened up running lanes for Ravens running back Jamal Lewis, helping him rush for 1,132 yards, his highest total since 2003. Lewis' nine rushing touchdowns were just one shy of his combined total for the previous two years with the bruising fullback clearing the way.

"I think it was more of a natural progression than the result of who was calling the plays; the coaches saw that I could block, but they finally saw I could also do more than just that," said Mughelli, regarding his role in the offense. "I started having some success in practice, and the coaches took that and tried it during the game. They gave me a chance, and I took full advantage of it."

The switch from Fassel to Billick paid dividends for not only Mughelli but for the Ravens as a whole. After a 4-2 start, the Ravens went 9-1 over their last 10 games, clinching the AFC North for the second time in franchise history and earning a first-round bye in the playoffs.

"I was excited to see his passion and his energy, and that definitely flows down," said Mughelli, of Billick. "I think he was a big part of why we started doing so well in the second half of the season. The season didn't finish the way we wanted it to, but knowing that he (Billick) will be around next year gives the team a big boost."

Prior to last season, Mughelli didn't have much to get excited about, receiving only three touches in three years. The lack of involvement in the offense, aside from blocking, was not an easy adjustment at first.

After scoring 12 TDs in his senior season at Wake Forest, Mughelli was named first-team All-ACC, second-team All-American, and entered the 2003 NFL Draft widely viewed as the best fullback available.

"Coming out of college you get a little full of yourself with all the hype and hoopla. You try to fight it, and you're obviously confident of your abilities, or you wouldn't be in the NFL in the first place. So you're anxious to test yourself against the NFL guys you hear so much about: 'Are they that much bigger?' 'Are they that much stronger?' And the answer of course to these questions is, 'Yes.' And you gradually realize that you have to work for everything you get. That's the one thing the average fan doesn't understand -- how much work goes into what you see on the field on Sunday."

With the offseason now in full swing, Mughelli's multiple off-the-field interests occupy most of his free time.

In addition to doing motivational speaking for elementary and high schools in Baltimore and his hometown of Charleston, S.C., he is a partial owner of a mortgage company in Baltimore called National Fidelity.

Mughelli has also dabbled in acting, appearing on HBO's acclaimed urban drama "The Wire" and has been a celebrity judge at several modeling competitions in the Baltimore area.

"I have always been interested in fashion, so attending Fashion Week shows (in Brooklyn) and meeting the designers was a great experience. Clothes, style, how you put items together, have always fascinated me. I would like to do some work in fashion someday."

With free agency looming, Mughelli finds himself in an unfamiliar role, one he hopes he doesn't find himself in for too long.

"I'm hoping I don't have to plan on going anywhere else. It would be great if Baltimore would re-sign me to a long-term deal, but this is a business, and it's not up to me. I mean, I'd like to stay with Baltimore, but that's up to my agent and the Ravens' organization. I hope everything works out because they're a great organization, and we work together very well."

In-depth player interviews, courtesy of RealFootball365.com.
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