Training Camp Positional Preview: Fullbacks

[PhinPhan in MA]

Here is part seven of my training camp positional previews. To see my previous installments click the links below:

This latest piece breaks down the fullbacks and talks about what each player currently on the roster can bring to the team this season.

Check out that article

Here's an excerpt:

What to expect: After two underwhelming seasons with Darian Barnes at fullback, the team went out and signed a bona fide lead blocker in Schlesinger. He should be able to provide a much better battering ram for Ronnie Brown to run behind, opening more holes and allowing Brown more space and time to make moves. In order to see the importance of a good blocking fullback, one needs only to look at the offense that Cam Cameron ran in San Diego with Lorenzo Neal paving the way for LaDanian Tomlinson. Schlesinger may not have the same incredible abilities as Neal, but he can more than hold his own. Training camp will be an interesting time to determine whether the team will keep two fullbacks on the roster, and if so, who will make the cut. The team has Kyle Eckel and they drafted Reagan Mauia. Overall, expect a definite upgrade at the fullback position from last season.
Here's a closer look at the individual fullbacks currently on the roster and what can be expected of them this coming season:

Cory Schlesinger
You don't last 12 years in the NFL with the same team that drafted you unless you are really good at what you do. In fact, there's a good chance that Schlesinger would still be in Detroit if Mike Martz hadn't taken over the offensive coordinator position for the Lions in 2006. Martz prefers to use a wide open offense with three receiver sets, and so he has very little use for a fullback. So the Lions' loss became Miami's gain, and Ronnie Brown will now benefit from having a great lead blocker in front of him. Cory may be getting up there in age (he's 35), but he still has a couple good years left in him, especially considering that his workload has been reduced significantly over the past two seasons. His blocking prowess was recognized when he was selected as a Pro Bowl alternate in three consecutive seasons from 2003-2005. Schlesigner has adequate running ability, but he probably will only get a handful of carries throughout the season. More important, however, is that he has pretty good hands for a fullback. He will serve as a nice outlet option in the flat on pass plays.

Check out that article and let me know what you think of the fullback situation and who you think will make the roster.

 

[dlockz]

Well you could have said the same exact thing last year when we got beasly and we know how that turned out. I actually hope we look at another FB next year because Mauia seems way too much of a prject and there are some actual fullbacks in college that have doen really good jobs. I kind of hope Eckel gets a real look.

 

[PhinPhan in MA]

Well you could have said the same exact thing last year when we got beasly and we know how that turned out. I actually hope we look at another FB next year because Mauia seems way too much of a prject and there are some actual fullbacks in college that have doen really good jobs. I kind of hope Eckel gets a real look.

You're right that you can never quite know which players will make the team, even though Beasley seemed like a lock at the time. However, I think it's a better bet with Schlesinger. Beasley had 6 productive seasons before coming to Miami (I'm not counting his rookie year where he did nothing, and his final year in SF where he was equally unused). Schlesinger has 12 productive seasons under his belt - double that of Beasley. I think it's safe to say that he will make the team as the starter. Also, after the Dolphins cut Beasley, he didn't make it with another team. That could mean that there was some problem that we were not aware of at the time.

 

[IN-FIN-ITY]

if ricky came back i thought it would be cool to run he and ronnie together in the back field... either could be lead blocker!!!

 

[dlockz]

You're right that you can never quite know which players will make the team, even though Beasley seemed like a lock at the time. However, I think it's a better bet with Schlesinger. Beasley had 6 productive seasons before coming to Miami (I'm not counting his rookie year where he did nothing, and his final year in SF where he was equally unused). Schlesinger has 12 productive seasons under his belt - double that of Beasley. I think it's safe to say that he will make the team as the starter. Also, after the Dolphins cut Beasley, he didn't make it with another team. That could mean that there was some problem that we were not aware of at the time.

I truly dont think our luck will be that bad two years in a row, but many considered Beasly the best fullback in football and 12 seasons is alot.

 

[emocomputerjock]

I truly dont think our luck will be that bad two years in a row, but many considered Beasly the best fullback in football and 12 seasons is alot.

Where'd Beasly end up working?

 

[dlockz]

Where'd Beasly end up working?

I saw a guy that looked like him at Burger King.

Nobody signed him and Minnesota took a look at him when Richardson was injured but passed on him due to being able to sign a younger guy for cheaper.

 

[emocomputerjock]

I saw a guy that looked like him at Burger King.

Nobody signed him and Minnesota took a look at him when Richardson was injured but passed on him due to being able to sign a younger guy for cheaper.

Exactly - Beasly was held to be one of the best, but San Francisco must have known something we didn't until TC. Might be the same case with Sledge, but he doesn't have any of the knocks on him that Beasly did. By all accounts he's a team guy, a character guy, and a hard worker. Beasly came in with a bad rep, and lived up to it. Unlucky for us, Barnes was even less of an impact.

 

[PhinPhan in MA]

Exactly - Beasly was held to be one of the best, but San Francisco must have known something we didn't until TC. Might be the same case with Sledge, but he doesn't have any of the knocks on him that Beasly did. By all accounts he's a team guy, a character guy, and a hard worker. Beasly came in with a bad rep, and lived up to it. Unlucky for us, Barnes was even less of an impact.

Good point. Also, it must be remembered that Schlesinger was released from the Lions because Martz doesn't use a fullback in his offense. It wasn't because his skills are diminished or that he had a character issue. Regardless of Cory's abilities, he just wasn't going to be used in that system. If Beasley was still the player that he was reputed to be, SF would have used him during his final year there, but they didn't. I think in that respect, Beasley's case is different, and his release must have had something to do with his skill or his character.

 

[dlockz]

Exactly - Beasly was held to be one of the best, but San Francisco must have known something we didn't until TC. Might be the same case with Sledge, but he doesn't have any of the knocks on him that Beasly did. By all accounts he's a team guy, a character guy, and a hard worker. Beasly came in with a bad rep, and lived up to it. Unlucky for us, Barnes was even less of an impact.

I think we will be alright this year just hope we get a young fullback for the future. Maybe Mauia is that guy, I dont have alot of faith that he is, sorry 4 game starter , former Dt just doesn't impress me as the fullback hope I am so wrong.

 

[SoDakDolfan]

From the reports I've heard Mauia is extremely athletic for a big guy and that is why he was moved to fullback. With a little training he could be very good for us. He definitely has teh right attitude to be a sludge hammer kind of player.

 

[dlockz]

From the reports I've heard Mauia is extremely athletic for a big guy and that is why he was moved to fullback. With a little training he could be very good for us. He definitely has teh right attitude to be a sludge hammer kind of player.

Anything is possible just dont think he will maintain enough speed and we dont know if he will be consistent with his weight. His lack of experience also bothers me, I just dont get too excited about drafting guys that started 4 games.

 

[adamprez2003]

I think Schlesinger is on the downside of his career. I dont think he has much left and will be a shell of his former self. I think we got a steal in Mauia and by the end of the season I expect him to start. The wildcard is Eckel who I'll be rooting hard for.

 

[Geforce]

Two underwhelming seasons with Barnes at fullback? Barnes only played in 9 games in 2005 and that was after Heath Evans was released. If I'm not mistaken, the running game actually improved during that time. As far as last year, Mularkey didn't utilize anyone, except Welker, to the best of their abilities.

You are pretty spot on with the analysis of the FBs. I'm looking forward to seeing how many broken facemasks The Sledge Hammer has this year.

 

[NYFINNER]

if ricky came back i thought it would be cool to run he and ronnie together in the back field... either could be lead blocker!!!

Ricky a blocker... what? First of all he was 25 lighter. Second he'd probably run around the Defender coming in - you know that paranoia (weed) thing.