Would Csonka be a fullback in today's NFL?

[Finfan53]

I know Larry Csonka was one of the great's back in the early 70's....but in today's NFL...
Would coaches have made him into a linebacker or bulked him up into a DT/DE maybe in the size/shape of Matt Roth for example?
Or would he still be a fullback in the likes of Mike Alstott from the Bucs? (who had a great career at Purdue running the ball)
...your thoughts?

 

[skunkbud123]

There is no other position than fullback for Csonka. He would and was awsome at the fullback position then and if he played now!!:dolphins:

 

[Finfan53]

I agree.... Alstott keeps his pad level very low and I recall Zonk doing that very well too. Regardless I think the guy was just meant to play in the NFL

 

[MexDolfan]

Larry was a great FB. In today's offense his skills would be useful but i have my worries about his speed. Actual defenses are more aggressive than in the 70's. In consequence, the LB position has evolved and maybe his style of running should have been nullified.

 

[phinfanfrommd]

Larry was a great FB. In today's offense his skills would be useful but i have my worries about his speed. Actual defenses are more aggressive than in the 70's. In consequence, the LB position has evolved and maybe his style of running should have been nullified.

yeah but csonka also played when padding was inadequate, i can only imagine how much them nfl players were hurting after a game, especially them FBs. I guess thats why they only played 14 games.

 

[Alex44]

I don't think he would be a very good runner in todays game like making long gains, I do think he could get tough yards however and lay some mean blocks.

 

[FINdestructible]

He was 6-3, 240 thirty years ago, with todays nutriion, training, etc... he could have easily bulked to 250. Considering the talent & determination he had, hell yeah, he'd be able to play nowadays. :D

 

[Roman529]

Yep, he would still be a FB...I think he was a meaner nastier Mike Alstott.

:dolphins:

 

[BlueFin]

He was 6-3, 240 thirty years ago, with todays nutriion, training, etc... he could have easily bulked to 250. Considering the talent & determination he had, hell yeah, he'd be able to play nowadays. :D

I hate to quibble, but you are listing something close to his listed weight of the time, according to Jim Mandich, Csonk was usually more in the 260-280 range.

 

[morrism35]

I love these arguments. Putting players from different eras and comparing them to todays Nfl. I believe Csonka would be more of a short yardage back much like a T.J Ducket in todays Nfl. Maybe like a Bettis at the most. The problem is in todays Nfl the fullback hardly ever carries the ball. Why linebackers are too fast and physical, Safeties play closer to the ball aka
Roy Williams and look at these fat run-stopping tackles Pat williams, Tank Johnson. And Csonka trying to turn the corner from the tailback spot, with Jason Taylor, Kearse or any of these fast weakside linebackers that can go from sideline to sideline.I do think Csonka is a great player for his era.

 

[phinman1]

Zonk would have been a great fullback today, just as he was back then. This question probably arose because of the dearth of white RB's today. White RB's are no longer given a chance to play the position. A coach will automatically think he can't do it and move him elsewhere.

It's the same way black QB's were treated. Not one white tailback in the NFL? You mean to tell me there are no white guys out there that could get it done? It's a bit discriminatory if you ask me.

 

[Finfan53]

I hate to quibble, but you are listing something close to his listed weight of the time, according to Jim Mandich, Csonk was usually more in the 260-280 range.

Csonka was weighing 260lbs??? If thats true, its amazing.... I was guessing about 230-235lbs at most.

 

[OneHondo]

I know one thing, he was fun to watch. He would blow through the line and carry people with him. One reason for his success was Miami's line which was better than average mainly due to the chemistry they had together.

 

[Kadiddlehopper]

He'd plow through them now as he did then!

 

[BlueFin]

Csonka was weighing 260lbs??? If thats true, its amazing.... I was guessing about 230-235lbs at most.

I remember watching him play, they always listed him as 235 pounds, but I always thought he was much heavier. I heard Mandich recently say his listed weight was BS, that he was more in the 260-280 range, he was a big thick man with huge legs.