GreatLakeState
Mentor
- Joined
- Apr 22, 2005
- Messages
- 1,057
Shell's old school approach delights Oakland fullbacks
Associated Press
NAPA, Calif. - Zack Crockett sat out his second straight day of practice
Friday because of lingering back pains but it was more precautionary than
anything else. With a renewed emphasis from head coach Art Shell on a
power running game, the Oakland Raiders aren't willing to take chances
with their veteran fullback.
Unlike in years past, though, Crockett can understand the wisdom of what
the coaching staff is doing. After four years of being used primarily as a
decoy and occasionally as a lead blocker, the fullback's role in Oakland's
offense is taking on a significant new look this season.
"This is maybe one of the best positions you can be in," said Crockett
after getting treatment on his sore back. "You're going to run the ball,
you're going to back the ball and you're going to block. I love it."
While many other teams around the NFL have been slowly phasing the
fullback out of their playbooks - instead opting to use an extra tight end
or offensive lineman - Shell has made it a priority to do just the opposite.
It's yet another reminder how Shell, a Hall of Fame offensive lineman, is
reaching into his past to try to help the Oakland's future.
When Shell played from 1968-82, fullbacks played a big role in the
Raiders' success. Marv Hubbard led the team in rushing 1971-74, while
Mark van Eeghen did it from '76-80.
Crockett and John Paul Foschi, the top two fullbacks on Oakland's current
roster, aren't going to lead the team in rushing any time this season, but
they will have a more prominent role in the offense crafted by Shell and
coordinator Tom Walsh than they have in the past.
"I don't know how many carries our fullback will get ... (but) he'll get a few
carries," Shell said. "But he's going to be a blocker and he's going to be a
pass receiver out of the backfield. We've always done that.
"Now, do you fit a square peg in a round hole? No, you don't do that. If a
guy can't catch the ball you're not going to force the issue. But we'll put
people in position to make those type of plays that we're looking for."
Oakland's offense struggled to make many plays at all in 2005, beset by a
running game that ranked 29th overall. The Raiders averaged just 85.6
yards a game and only had 361 carries on the season, fewer than every
team except Atlanta (360).
When Shell was hired in the offseason to replace the fired Norv Turner, he
made fixing the running game a top priority.
Part of that was revamping the offensive line. Robert Gallery, the second
overall pick in the 2004 draft, was moved from right to left tackle. Barry
Sims moved inside from left tackle to left guard. Langston Walker, a
guard in 2005, is now at right tackle while third-round draft pick Paul
McQuistan is taking the reps at right guard.
Getting more production out of the fullback is the next step.
"One of the biggest differences is that we'll be playing more," Foschi said.
"A lot of teams use two tight ends or have their H-back as their lead
blocker, but here (the fullback) isn't being phased out."
That's music to Crockett's ears. When Jon Gruden was the Raiders' coach
from 1998-2001, Crockett was the team's designated short-yardage
specialist. In the four years since Gruden left, however, Crockett's role
diminished.
Now he's is ready to go back to work.
"That's the style that I love, it's catered toward my game," Crockett said.
"This is a copycat league. The game changes (based) on who's winning.
But eventually it goes back to old school football, hitting somebody in the
mouth, mano y mano. That's the type of football we're going to play."
Associated Press
NAPA, Calif. - Zack Crockett sat out his second straight day of practice
Friday because of lingering back pains but it was more precautionary than
anything else. With a renewed emphasis from head coach Art Shell on a
power running game, the Oakland Raiders aren't willing to take chances
with their veteran fullback.
Unlike in years past, though, Crockett can understand the wisdom of what
the coaching staff is doing. After four years of being used primarily as a
decoy and occasionally as a lead blocker, the fullback's role in Oakland's
offense is taking on a significant new look this season.
"This is maybe one of the best positions you can be in," said Crockett
after getting treatment on his sore back. "You're going to run the ball,
you're going to back the ball and you're going to block. I love it."
While many other teams around the NFL have been slowly phasing the
fullback out of their playbooks - instead opting to use an extra tight end
or offensive lineman - Shell has made it a priority to do just the opposite.
It's yet another reminder how Shell, a Hall of Fame offensive lineman, is
reaching into his past to try to help the Oakland's future.
When Shell played from 1968-82, fullbacks played a big role in the
Raiders' success. Marv Hubbard led the team in rushing 1971-74, while
Mark van Eeghen did it from '76-80.
Crockett and John Paul Foschi, the top two fullbacks on Oakland's current
roster, aren't going to lead the team in rushing any time this season, but
they will have a more prominent role in the offense crafted by Shell and
coordinator Tom Walsh than they have in the past.
"I don't know how many carries our fullback will get ... (but) he'll get a few
carries," Shell said. "But he's going to be a blocker and he's going to be a
pass receiver out of the backfield. We've always done that.
"Now, do you fit a square peg in a round hole? No, you don't do that. If a
guy can't catch the ball you're not going to force the issue. But we'll put
people in position to make those type of plays that we're looking for."
Oakland's offense struggled to make many plays at all in 2005, beset by a
running game that ranked 29th overall. The Raiders averaged just 85.6
yards a game and only had 361 carries on the season, fewer than every
team except Atlanta (360).
When Shell was hired in the offseason to replace the fired Norv Turner, he
made fixing the running game a top priority.
Part of that was revamping the offensive line. Robert Gallery, the second
overall pick in the 2004 draft, was moved from right to left tackle. Barry
Sims moved inside from left tackle to left guard. Langston Walker, a
guard in 2005, is now at right tackle while third-round draft pick Paul
McQuistan is taking the reps at right guard.
Getting more production out of the fullback is the next step.
"One of the biggest differences is that we'll be playing more," Foschi said.
"A lot of teams use two tight ends or have their H-back as their lead
blocker, but here (the fullback) isn't being phased out."
That's music to Crockett's ears. When Jon Gruden was the Raiders' coach
from 1998-2001, Crockett was the team's designated short-yardage
specialist. In the four years since Gruden left, however, Crockett's role
diminished.
Now he's is ready to go back to work.
"That's the style that I love, it's catered toward my game," Crockett said.
"This is a copycat league. The game changes (based) on who's winning.
But eventually it goes back to old school football, hitting somebody in the
mouth, mano y mano. That's the type of football we're going to play."