I think one of the stories that may get lost in the shuffle is who our starting fullback will be this season. With Darian Barnes unlikely to be resigned and Sammy Morris more of a halfback and great special teams player than fullback, it seems we have a wide open spot for the taking.
The fullback position was underutilized under Nick Saban. But all you have to do is look at San Diego's offense the last several years to realize how important a position it is in Coach Cameron's offense.
Rutgers FB Brian Leonard is widely regarded as the top fullback in the draft and a likely 2nd round pick, but with all the other needs on this team, I don't see us spending that high a pick on one. Here are some of the other top fullback prospects in next month's draft:
Cory Anderson
6'2, 247 lbs.
40 Time: 4.7 seconds
College: Tennessee
Breakdown: Very versatile player who plays with power. Versatile enough to move to H-Back or Tight End because of his good power and speed. Impressed with his performance in the 2007 Inta Juice All Star Game.
*****
Deon Anderson
5'11, 243 lbs.
40 Time: 4.73 seconds
College: Connecticut
Breakdown: Prototypical, old-school fullback. Solid lead blocker and short yardage back. Decent short range receiver with good hands. Has had some off the field issues, but a very hard worker on the field.
*****
LeRon McClain
6'1, 257 lbs.
40 Time: 4.86 seconds
College: Alabama
Breakdown: An absolute beast of a blocker and runner. May end up being the best fullback in this draft. Demonstrates good hands and had a good week at the Senior Bowl. Could be as explosive a blocker as former Dolphin Deon Dyer was, and a better runner to boot.
*****
Jason Snelling
5'11, 235 lbs.
40 Time: 4.75 seconds
College: Virginia
Breakdown: Was Virginia's featured back in 2006. Has a good burst and excellent hands, but has enough power to move the pile. Excellent special teams player as well.
*****
Well, that's my two cents worth on the fullback position. Who knows where we'll go with it. Our new fullback may be one of these guys, Sammy Morris or even someone who hasn't been released yet.
GO PHINS!
(Stats courtesy of About.com and Scout.com)
The fullback position was underutilized under Nick Saban. But all you have to do is look at San Diego's offense the last several years to realize how important a position it is in Coach Cameron's offense.
Rutgers FB Brian Leonard is widely regarded as the top fullback in the draft and a likely 2nd round pick, but with all the other needs on this team, I don't see us spending that high a pick on one. Here are some of the other top fullback prospects in next month's draft:
Cory Anderson
6'2, 247 lbs.
40 Time: 4.7 seconds
College: Tennessee
Breakdown: Very versatile player who plays with power. Versatile enough to move to H-Back or Tight End because of his good power and speed. Impressed with his performance in the 2007 Inta Juice All Star Game.
*****
Deon Anderson
5'11, 243 lbs.
40 Time: 4.73 seconds
College: Connecticut
Breakdown: Prototypical, old-school fullback. Solid lead blocker and short yardage back. Decent short range receiver with good hands. Has had some off the field issues, but a very hard worker on the field.
*****
LeRon McClain
6'1, 257 lbs.
40 Time: 4.86 seconds
College: Alabama
Breakdown: An absolute beast of a blocker and runner. May end up being the best fullback in this draft. Demonstrates good hands and had a good week at the Senior Bowl. Could be as explosive a blocker as former Dolphin Deon Dyer was, and a better runner to boot.
*****
Jason Snelling
5'11, 235 lbs.
40 Time: 4.75 seconds
College: Virginia
Breakdown: Was Virginia's featured back in 2006. Has a good burst and excellent hands, but has enough power to move the pile. Excellent special teams player as well.
*****
Well, that's my two cents worth on the fullback position. Who knows where we'll go with it. Our new fullback may be one of these guys, Sammy Morris or even someone who hasn't been released yet.
GO PHINS!
(Stats courtesy of About.com and Scout.com)
