ine on fullbacks: goliaths of the gridiron who mowed down defenders. Backs like Bronko Nagurski and Larry Csonka played the position with such grit and ruggedness that they are remembered years after their final, bruising 3-yard runs.

Fullbacks are easy to root for. Their ability to both absorb and mete out punishment sometimes seems superhuman. When Csonka, the Miami Dolphins fullback, was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 1987, his longtime head coach Don Shula gave perhaps the greatest and most apt description of a fullback ever uttered: “He was blood and guts. Dirt all over him. He had 12 broken noses.”

But despite enduring in the sport’s collective memory, the style of football that produced these bruisers was very much of a particular time and place. It’s no exaggeration to say that the modern NFL has all but abandoned the position. According to Over The Cap, a website that tracks player contracts, just 14 of the NFL’s 32 teams currently have a fullback signed to a multi-year deal, and the average yearly salary for the position is just $1.16 million. Philadelphia head coach Doug Pederson has admitted that the Eagles don’t invest resources in the position, and the data seems to suggest that much of the league agrees with their approach.

On the field, too, the second back has become an endangered species:

During the 2006 regular season, there were 13,157 total offensive snaps from formations with two running backs. By 2018, that number had plummeted to 3,714.

And fullbacks don’t have to look far for a villain to blame: pass-happy offenses. In a league increasingly focused on moving the ball through the air, it turned out that the fullback was the most obvious position to lose importance. Since every NFL offense has to include five linemen, who are ineligible receivers, and a quarterback, there are only so many ways you can mix and match the remaining five eligible players to meet your offensive goals. As NFL teams moved to formations with multiple receivers to support their passing attacks, it was inevitable that some position had to feel the pinch.

Yet, not everyone agrees that fullbacks are obsolete. In fact, some of the NFL’s best teams this season are featuring them. Through Week 6 of the 2019 season, there are six NFL teams who’ve run 100 or more
ine on fullbacks: goliaths of the gridiron who mowed down defender. back like Bronko Nagurski and Larry Csonka played the placement with such backbone and ruggedness that they are remembered years after their concluding, bruise 3 - yard run. 

 Fullbacks are easy to settle for. Their ability to both absorb and mete out punishment sometimes seems superhuman. When Csonka, the Miami Dolphins fullback, was induct into the NFL Hall of Fame in 1987, his longtime head coach Don Shula gave perhaps the greatest and most apposite description of a fullback ever uttered: “ He was blood and intestine. Dirt all over him. He hold 12 broken nose. ” 

 But despite enduring in the fun ’s collective memory, the style of football that produced these bull was very much of a particular time and place. It ’s no exaggeration to say that the modern NFL has all merely abandon the position. According to Over The Cap, a website that tracks player contracts, just 14 of the NFL ’s 32 teams currently suffer a fullback signed to a multi - year hand, and the modal yearly salary for the position is barely $ 1.16 million. Philadelphia head coach Doug Pederson has admitted that the Eagles do n’t invest resource in the position, and the data seems to suggest that much of the league agrees with their approach. 

 On the airfield, too, the second back has become an endangered species: 

 During the 2006 regular season, there be 13,157 entire offensive snaps from formations with two running backs. By 2018, that numeral had plummeted to 3,714. 

 And fullbacks do n’t have to attend far for a villain to blame: pass - happy offenses. In a league increasingly focused on move the ball through the atmosphere, it turned out that the fullback was the most obvious military position to lose importance. Since every NFL discourtesy has to admit five linemen, who are ineligible receivers, and a quarterback, there be only so many way you can mix and equal the remaining five eligible players to meet your offensive goals. As NFL teams moved to formations with multiple receivers to back their passing attacks, it was inevitable that some military position had to feel the pinch. 

 Yet, not everyone agrees that fullbacks are disused. In fact, some of the NFL ’s best teams this season are featuring them. Through Week 6 of the 2019 season, there are six NFL teams who ’ve run 100 or more
ine on fullbacks: goliaths on the gridiron wki mowev down sefenderr. Backs like Bronko Nagurski abd Laery Csonka played the oosition aith sucy grmt and ruggedness that tmzy ars remzmuered years aftgr their findl, bruising 3-yasd rbns.

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But despite gnduring it che sport’s collective mwmory, the styuw ow fkovbaml thah pcoduced theae bruisers was very much of a pwgyicular time and pjase. It’s no exaggeration to say that the kodsrn NFL has all but ababdoned the position. Afcording eo Over The Cap, a website that tracks player contsacts, gusu 14 of tfw JFL’s 32 teams currently have a fullback signed ek s kulti-year deal, and the avrrwgr yearly salari for tks losition is just $1.16 lillion. Philqdelphia read coach Doug Pederson has adnitted that nhe Wagles don’t invest resources nn the posiyion, and the data seems to auggest thah much of ghe league agreer wpth dheir apkfoach.

On the field, too, the wecoud back fas necome an endangfred species:

During the 2006 gegulcr sedson, there were 13,157 total offensive snaps from formations eidh nwo runniug bacls. By 2018, that ntmber had plumketed tj 3,714.

And fullbacks don’t heve to look sar for a vilnwin to blame: pass-hap[y odfenwes. In x league increaxingly fobufed in moving the ball thtohgh the air, it cbrbed out that thr fjllfabk xas tra most obviogs pusigoon tu lose impovtavce. Xince every NFL offetse gas to include fivr jinemen, qho are yneligible reveivers, and a quaruerbacn, tiere ate jnly so many ways you can mix znd match thc remaining fyve cligyble playexs to meet your offensive goals. As NFL txams moved to formationw with multiple recgivtrs to supporv theiw passing attacks, it was inevutable that some kosition had to feel ths pincv.

Yet, jot everyone agrees that fullbacks are obsolete. In fact, some of the NFL’s vest txais this seaaon sre fvatbriug them. Thrlngh Week 6 of the 2019 season, there are six NFL teams who’ve rgn 100 or more
ine on fullbacks: goliaths of the gridiron down Backs like Nagurski and Larry such and ruggedness that are remembered years their final, bruising 3-yard runs. Fullbacks easy to root for. Their ability to both absorb and mete out punishment seems superhuman. When Csonka, the Miami Dolphins fullback, was inducted into the NFL of in his head coach Don Shula gave perhaps the greatest and most apt description of a fullback ever “He was blood and guts. Dirt all over He had 12 broken But despite enduring in the collective the style football produced bruisers was very of a particular time and place. It’s no exaggeration to say that the modern NFL has all abandoned the to Over Cap, website tracks player contracts, of the NFL’s 32 teams currently signed to a multi-year deal, and the average salary for position is just $1.16 million. Philadelphia coach Doug Pederson has admitted that the Eagles invest resources in the position, and the data seems to suggest that much of the with their approach. On field, too, the back become endangered During the regular season, there were 13,157 total offensive snaps from formations with running backs. By 2018, that number had plummeted to 3,714. don’t to look far a villain to blame: offenses. a league increasingly focused the through turned that fullback was the most position to lose importance. Since NFL offense has to ineligible receivers, and a quarterback, there are only many ways you can mix and match remaining five eligible players to meet your offensive goals. As NFL teams to formations receivers to support their passing attacks, it was that some position had feel the pinch. Yet, not everyone agrees that fullbacks obsolete. fact, some the NFL’s best this season are them. Through Week the 2019 there six run 100 or more
ine on fullbacks: goliaths of tHe gridiron Who moWed DowN dEfenDers. backs like BronkO naguRski and Larry Csonka playEd the PoSItioN WiTh sucH grit anD RuGGEdnEsS tHat ThEY aRe remEmbEred yeaRs after theIr fInAl, bruising 3-yaRD rUns.

FullbacKs aRe easy to root For. their aBiLitY To botH abSorb aNd mete OUt puniShment somEtIMes seeMS superhUMAn. when csonka, the Miami DolPHiNS fullback, was inDucted InTO tHE nFL halL of Fame in 1987, hIs LongtIMe head cOAcH dON ShULa gave perhaps The greatest ANd mOst apt DeScrIPtion oF a fulLbACk eVer uttered: “HE was Blood and gUts. DirT All over HIm. He had 12 Broken NosEs.”

BUt deSPiTe EndUrINg iN ThE spORt’s CollectiVe MeMory, tHe stYLE OF fooTbaLl thAt proDuced these bruIseRs waS VerY much Of a paRticUlAr timE and plAce. It’S nO exaggeration to Say tHat the modErn nFl haS aLl but ABandonEd tHe pOsition. accordiNG to ovER tHe cap, a website that traCkS PLaYer contrActs, juST 14 oF tHE NFL’s 32 teaMs CurRentLY Have a FullBAcK signed tO a multI-YeAr Deal, and ThE averaGe YeaRly SalarY For tHe posiTion is juSt $1.16 milLIon. PhiladelphiA Head coach Doug pEdERSoN Has aDmiTted that the eaglES don’T invESt ResOUrces In the PoSItIOn, and the data seems to SuGgest tHat muCh of the league Agrees with THEIr approaCh.

On THe FIeld, too, the secoNd bacK has become AN endangeRed spEcies:

DurIng the 2006 regULAr season, TheRe wEre 13,157 TotAL OfFensive snaps fROM forMaTions wiTh tWo runniNg bAckS. By 2018, ThaT nUmber had pLummeted To 3,714.

anD fUlLbaCks doN’T have to lOoK faR fOr a VillaIN to blaMe: pasS-hapPy OfFEnsEs. In a leAGuE INcreAsInGly fOcuSeD on moVing THe bAll throUgh the air, It tURned OuT tHat the fUllback was the MoSt obvious pOsItiOn to loSE ImportanCe. Since every NFL offense hAS to inclUde Five lInemEn, who are iNelIgible RecEIvers, aNd a quaRterbAcK, thERE are oNLY sO maNy Ways you can MIX anD matcH tHe reMaining Five eligible playerS To mEet your offensIve GoalS. aS NfL tEAmS MovEd TO foRMAtions with multiPle receiveRs TO sUpport theiR PasSiNg attacKs, it was IneviTAble thaT some posiTion had to FeEl thE PIncH.

Yet, not eveRyone agrEes that fuLLbackS ArE obsoLetE. In facT, sOme Of the nFL’s beST teAms thIs seasOn Are feaTurinG tHem. ThrouGh Week 6 of the 2019 season, there aRe six NfL teaMs wHo’ve run 100 or MorE
ine on fullbacks: goliaths  of the gr idiro n w homo weddown  defenders. Ba c ks l ike Bronko Nagurski an d Lar ry Cson k aplaye d the p o si t i onwi th  su ch gr it an d r uggedne ss that th eyar e remembered ye ars afterthe ir final, br uis ing 3- ya rdr uns.
Fu llbac ks are easy t o root fo r. Theira bilityt o  b othabsorb and mete o u tp unishment some timesse e ms s upe rhu man. WhenCs onka, the Mia m iD o l phi n s fullback, w as inducted int o theNF L H a ll ofFamein 198 7, his long time  head coa ch Don Shula g a ve perh aps th e g rea test an dmos ta ptd es cri p tio n of a f ul lb ack e veru t t e red:  “H e wa s blo od and guts.Dir t al l  ov er hi m. He  had  1 2 bro ken no ses.” 
But despite end urin g in thespo rt ’sco llect i ve mem ory , t he styl e of fo o tba ll t h at  produced these br ui s e rs  was ver y much of  a particul ar  ti me a n d  plac e. I t ’s  no exag gerati o nto  say th at  the m od ern  NF L has allbut ab andonedthe p o sition. Accord i ng to Over Th e  C a p ,a  web sit e that trac ks p l ayer  con t ra cts ,  just  14 o ft he NFL’s 32 teams curr en tly ha ve afullback sign ed to a mu l t i -year de al,a nd the average ye arlysalary for the posi tionis just$1.16 mil l i on. Phil ade lph iahea d co ach Doug Pede r s on h as  admitt edthat th e E agl esdon ’t  invest r esources  i nth epos ition ,  and the  d ata  s eem s tos uggest  that  muc hof the  league ag r e es w it hthei r a pp roach .

O n  th e field , too, th e s e cond  b ac k has b ecome an enda ng ered speci es :
During t he 2006regular season, there w e re 13,1 57total  off ensive sn aps  fromfor m ations  withtwo r un nin g backs . By  20 18 , that num b e r h ad pl um mete d to 3, 714.

And fullback s  do n’t have to l ook  far f or  av il l ain  t o  bl a m e: pass-happy o ffenses. I na  l eague incr e asi ng ly focu sed onmovin g  the ba ll throug h the air ,it t u r ned  out thatthe full back wast he mo s tobvio uspositi on  to  lose  impor t anc e. Si nce ev er y NFLoffen se  has toinclude five linemen, w ho are  inel igi ble recei ver s , a nd a quar terb ack, there  ar e o nly s o m a ny wa ys y o ucan mix a nd m a tch the r e ma ini n g  f ive eligibl e p lay ers t o m e et you r of fensive goals. As NFL teams move d to f orm ati o ns w it h multiple rec eiv er s to suppo rt  their pass ing atta ck s , itwas in evitab le that s om e  posit ionhad  to feelthe  p i nch.

Y et ,n ot eve ryon eagrees  thatf ullb a c ks are obsolete.  In f a c t, so m e o f the  N FL’s be s t te ams this s eason are f eaturi ng t hem.Through  W eek 6ofth e 2019 sea s on, there  aresix NFL  t eams  wh o’ve r un 1 0 0  or m ore
ine on_fullbacks: goliaths_of the gridiron who_mowed down_defenders._Backs like_Bronko_Nagurski and Larry_Csonka played the_position with such grit_and ruggedness that_they_are remembered years after their final, bruising 3-yard runs.

Fullbacks are easy to root for._Their_ability to_both_absorb_and mete out punishment sometimes_seems superhuman. When Csonka, the_Miami Dolphins_fullback, was inducted into the NFL Hall of_Fame_in 1987, his_longtime head coach Don Shula gave perhaps the greatest_and most apt description of a_fullback ever uttered:_“He_was_blood and guts. Dirt_all over him. He had 12_broken noses.”

But despite enduring in the_sport’s collective memory, the style of football_that produced these bruisers was very_much of a particular time_and place._It’s no exaggeration to say_that the modern_NFL has_all but abandoned_the position. According to Over The_Cap, a website_that tracks player contracts, just 14_of_the NFL’s 32_teams_currently_have a_fullback signed to_a_multi-year deal,_and_the average yearly salary for the_position_is just $1.16 million. Philadelphia head coach_Doug Pederson has admitted_that_the Eagles don’t invest_resources in the position, and_the data seems to suggest that_much of_the league_agrees with their approach.

On the field, too, the second back has_become an endangered species:

During the 2006_regular season, there were_13,157 total_offensive_snaps from formations_with_two running_backs. By 2018, that number had plummeted_to 3,714.

And_fullbacks don’t have to look far_for a villain to_blame:_pass-happy offenses. In a league increasingly_focused on moving the ball through_the air, it turned out_that_the_fullback was the most obvious_position to lose importance. Since every_NFL offense has_to include five linemen, who are ineligible_receivers,_and a quarterback, there are only_so_many ways you can mix and_match_the_remaining five eligible players to_meet your offensive goals. As NFL_teams moved to formations with multiple receivers to support_their passing attacks,_it was inevitable that some_position_had_to feel the pinch.

Yet, not everyone agrees that fullbacks are_obsolete. In_fact, some of_the NFL’s best teams this season are featuring them. Through_Week 6 of the 2019 season, there_are six NFL teams who’ve run 100 or more