FB Montell Owens with the block! Right?
The Jaguars are a team that wants to pound the ball on offense, it is their identity. The whole team is built to run the ball and keep the score low, it's their style. Think of the Ravens-defense, the colts-passing offense. Think of the Jags and what do you imagine? You imagine Fred Taylor and Maurice Jone-Drew pushing the chains forward and running over opponents because they want it more. You imagine the clock running down on purpose. This is ball-control offense. This is good defense that doesn't have to play as much as other teams. This is strategy built through the draft. This will become more apparent in the next few years.
The other "big uglies"...
The Jaguars, this season, plan to utilize former Florida State HB and now pro-bowl caliber FB, #33, Greg Jones (pictured above) more in the running game. Jones is no push-over, as you can see. Jack Del Rio wants Jones to receive 5-10 touches a game. Jones is a 256 lb pounder. He will "Move those chains", but that's not what I want to talk about. With Greg Jones receiving more carries, who will play fullback?
The easy answer is special teams standout, #24, Montell Owens (also pictured above). Fresh off a new contract it's wise to assume the FO had a larger role in mind for Owens, as they did with Greg Jones when he got his new contract in 2008. We all should have realized that Greg Jones would become more prominent in the offense with the highest pay ever for a FB, especially with the HB experience. The question does remain, however, whether Owens can be "the" fullback. Owens, like Jones, played HB in college. Owens played in 38 games at tailback (HB) at Maine and was a 4 year letterman. He set a career high with 779 yards rushing his senior season. When he came to the Jags, he had to prove that he was worth a roster spot. He made a niche for himself as the backup FB and stellar special teams play, which primarily led to his new contract that pays him $535,000 this season after the $1 million signing bonus. You can better understand someone by how they spend their money. The Jags FO spent money on Montell, so I take this to meant that he will be the FB when Jones is running or when Jones is just tired-it happens. But, in the event that the Jags do decide to pull the trigger on a true Fullback, lets take a peek at some of the top names.
Quin Johnson, FB (former LB), LSU
6'1", 246 lb.'s, Projected Round-> 5-6
NFL.com Positives: Compact, thick build with good arm length. Lines up in the I-formation and as an H-back. Lowers his shoulder, delivers a good pop and brings his hips against linebackers in the hole. Can be a missile when decisive on who he will hit. Willing special teamer with good straight-line speed for his size.
Negatives: Only adequate height for the position. Lacks flexibility needed to adjust to linebackers and safeties at the second level. Likes to hit his target, but fails to use his hands to ride him out of the play or sustain the block. Hesitates to find a target at times when no one comes into his area. Very inconsistent hands out of the backfield; not a natural receiver. Lacks elusiveness in the open field, although his size makes him tough for defensive backs to bring down. Will hit, but usually not wrap, returners in the open field.
Compares To: LOUSAKA POLITE, Miami -- Like Polite, Johnson is a punishing inside lead blocker who loves to hit. He lacks any sort of running or receiving skills, which will limit how a team will use him, as most now regard the classic fullback as an endangered species. With his marginal speed and tight hips, he can't be used as an H-Back or in the slot with much success. However, if you need someone to consistently clear the rush lanes, he is the best doing that coming out of college.
Brannon Southerlan, FB Georgia
6' 242 lb.'s, Projected Round->5-6
NFL.com Positives: Solid build for the position. Experienced fullback with the athleticism to contribute as a blocker, runner and receiver. At his best blocking on the move. Locates his target and can break down in space to hit him squarely. Keeps his legs churning and maintains good contact with his target. Hits the hole quickly as a runner and has flashed the leg drive for short-yardage success. Earned the Leon Farmer Award for his dedication to the UGA strength and conditioning program and was named a team captain in 2008 despite only appearing in eight games.
Negatives: Flashed impressive leg drive and toughness as a runner early in his career, but has become less of a factor in the running game each of the past three seasons - dropping in touchdowns from eight (2006) to five (2007) to one (on only two total rushing attempts) in 2008. Only marginal hands out of the backfield. Not a natural receiver. Marginal initial pop as a lead blocker. Relies on agility and technique to clear lanes, rather than pure power or aggression. Didn't appear to be the same player this season after missing the first half of the year with a fractured foot. Surgically repaired navicular bone in his left foot will scare off some scouts after he missed the first four games of 2008.
Compares To: AHMARD HALL, Tennessee -- Both players are well-built athletes with a nice blend of speed, strength and natural hands. Southerland plays with a take no prisoners approach as a blocker, as he simply explodes out of his stance to get into the rush lanes as a lead blocker. He is a good route runner who is used mostly on controlled routes, but has the vision to locate the soft areas in the zone. He rarely gets an opportunity to carry the ball outside of short-yardage situations, but his outstanding success on goal-line attempts (scored 16 times on 26 plays) will see him earn a very nice living at the next level.
Injury Report
2008: Underwent left foot surgery after the 2008 Sugar Bowl to repair a stress fracture in his navicular bone, missing most of March spring drills...A summer CT scan revealed an additional fracture of the navicular bone, undergoing more surgery on June 6, performed by Dr. Joe Johnson at St. Mary's Hospital in Athens, Georgia. Doctors estimated his recovery process would take 16 weeks, keeping him out of August camp. He returned to action on special teams vs. Alabama (9/27) and played on offense during the next seven games of the season.
Tony Fiammetta, FB Syracuse
6', 245 lb.'s, projected rd-> 7-UDFA
NFL.com Positives: Very solid build in the upper and lower bodies with long arms. Lines up with his hand down on the line, as well as in motion and in the backfield. Quick to get to the edge when in motion. Takes outs the linebackers and safeties in the hole with a nice pop. Sustains his blocks through the whistle by locking on and moving his feet. Good hands, and can adjust to low throws or those behind him. Runs through cut blocks in the open field. Quick set in pass protection; able to handle oncoming blitzers. Sorts through trash to neutralize the middle linebacker, and has the strength to put him to the ground.
Negatives: Not the wide-chested thumper some teams prefer. A bit slow getting into his routes as a receiver. Gives good effort blocking on the line, but gets ripped off too often. Will be more effective in an H-back or true fullback position because of his lack of height. Whiffs too much as a cut blocker. Lacks flexibility and lateral quickness, which allows defenders to run around or get off his blocks in space.
Compares To: LAWRENCE VICKERS, Cleveland -- Fullback is becoming an endangered species in the NFL, and while some teams might look to convert Fiammetta to an H-Back, his route running just isn't up to snuff to handle those duties. He is better served on dump-offs as a receiver and has proven that he is incapable of carrying the ball. He is an efficient lead blocker thanks to quick feet and impressive strength, but must be conscious of playing at a low pad level to prevent defenders from neutralizing him and using him to clog the rush lane.
Injury Report
2003: Missed all but the season opener of his high school senior year due to a left leg fracture.
2007: Sat out the Buffalo game (10/20) due to a concussion.
2008: Did not play vs. South Florida (10/18) due to a left leg contusion.
All projected rounds come from Walter Football. I chose the top two FB's and Fiammetta was a guy that was brought up on Jagnation a few days ago. Just to be informed, these are some more guys to know. Let me know your thoughts.
-Brandon Clark
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