Well, its presto chango time at Ole Miss. Guess who's moving to Fullback for the Kentcuky game this week? Yep, the incredibly fast and agile running QB Robert Lane. Here's the article on it, but I think he should be starting ahead of Spurlock, the current QB. I guess if he ends up starting, it will be a good thing, but all I see is wasted speed and talent. Now if they moved him to TB, I wouldn't complain. Lane is a tough player for sure, but I think they'd be better off letting him run the ball than block for a converted DB/FS like McSwain. One good note is that in the past, Ole Miss did give the FB's a fair number of runs and passes, but this is a new offense, and I have no clue what it is like now.
Lane takes crack at FB
Backup quarterback lays out linebacker Russell at practice
By Michael Wallace
mwallace@clarionledger.com
Quarterback-turned-fullback Robert Lane might play as many as four positions Saturday against Kentucky.
OXFORD  If anyone questions whether Robert Lane will embrace his move to fullback at Ole Miss, he left a resounding answer Tuesday.
Just ask linebacker Robert Russell.
Lane, who lined up behind quarterback Micheal Spurlock, darted out of the backfield on a passing play and delivered a crushing block on Russell to free a receiver for a big gain.
The collision brought a collective "Ooh" from players on both sidelines.
And suddenly, the coaching staff's concerns about the depth at fullback were eased. Lane might not be able to unseat Spurlock at quarterback, but the 6-foot-3, 230-pound sophomore has found a new home in the backfield. At least for now.
"He's still our backup quarterback, too," Ole Miss offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone said Tuesday. "But if he keeps cracking back on linebackers like that ... "
Lane could line up at as many as four positions when Ole Miss (2-4, 0-3 SEC) faces Kentucky (1-4, 0-4) Saturday at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Lane worked out in full pads at fullback for the first time Tuesday. He also ran routes at tight end and receiver. He took snaps at quarterback, too.
His flexibility was required when starting fullback Jason Cook broke his left arm in the first half of Saturday's loss to Alabama. Cook, who had surgery after the game, could be out for the remainder of the season.
That left the Rebels with just one scholarship fullback in Jamal Pittman, who moved from tailback earlier in the season. Lane, Pittman and walk-on Seth Michaelson split time at fullback Tuesday.
If things go according to plan, Lane would become the eighth player to switch positions since coach Ed Orgeron arrived last December.
"I've said all along that in our program, we're going to get the best football players on the field regardless of position," Orgeron said. "And Robert Lane is certainly one of our best players. We've had some success with some of these changes before. We've been right on most of them."
Ole Miss coaches believe Lane will follow in the footsteps of other players who have made a smooth transition into new roles.
Mico McSwain started as a receiver and then moved to safety before settling in at tailback, where he is now one of the top rushers in the SEC. Offensive guard Andrew Wicker, safety Jamarca Sanford and linebacker Kelvin Robinson are among others enjoying success after position switches.
Orgeron said he approached Lane on Monday with a choice that was between likely spending the rest of the year on the bench waiting behind Spurlock or relocating to a spot where Lane's athleticism and toughness were needed now.
Lane has passed for 79 yards and has five turnovers in four games this season. Last season, he ran for 309 yards and three touchdowns.
"It's certainly different, don't get me wrong, but if this is where I can help the team that's what I'll do," said Lane. "It's been tough for me to stand on the sidelines. I'll enjoy this because I'm going to be on the field playing."
The move for Lane could last a week, or the rest of the season. Either way, players who have made similar adjustments said egos must be set aside.
"I feel like the players who have made the changes are buying into it," Wicker said. "You have to trust the coaches. If it's a better move for the team, it's probably a better move for the player, too."
First-year Ole Miss coach Ed Orgeron has vowed to get the best players on
the field regardless of position. That has philosophy has led to plenty of
position changes since the new staff took over last December.
Name Previous position Current position Results
Darryl Harris OG, OTC Has drawn 4 starts
Keith Houston FS, LBTE 32-yard catch vs. Citadel
Robert Lane QB  FB ?
Mico McSwain WR/FS RB SEC's No. 8 rusher
Jamal Pittman RB FB 8 cat., 48 yds
Kelvin Robinson SS WLB 2nd on team in tackles
Jamarca Sanford CB, WLBSS 4th on team in tackles
Andrew Wicker DT  OG Has drawn 2 starts
Edited by: Colonel_Reb 
