The Philadelphia Eagles wish to revive an often-forgotten place to assist proceed their dominance within the run sport and probably make up for the “tush push” play if it is banned.
Eagles proprietor Jeffrey Lurie referred to as into Sports Radio 94WIP to have a good time legendary defensive finish Brandon Graham, who introduced his retirement after successful a second Tremendous Bowl with the group. Whereas the present honored Graham’s 15-year profession, Lurie’s last feedback to host Jon Ritchie revealed the group’s offensive plans in 2025.
“We’ll attempt to quietly resurrect the fullback place,” Lurie said, including that he believes the place nonetheless has a task within the trendy NFL.
Ritchie performed fullback for the Eagles from 2003 to 2004 and retired earlier than the 2006 season. Though his time with the Eagles was quick, his angle on the place made an influence on followers and the entrance workplace.
Sometimes, the fullback is an additional blocker for the operating again, who can construct momentum by operating with them from behind the offensive line. Nevertheless, the fashionable fullback does slightly little bit of every little thing lately.
Probably the most distinguished fullback is San Francisco 49ers Kyle Juszczyk, who’s used not simply as a blocker but in addition as a bruising runner for short-yardage conditions and a cross catcher out of the backfield. Juszczyk is sort of athletic for a fullback, so the 49ers re-signed the 34-year-old to a two-year, $8 million contract and retained an influence participant.
The Eagles do not have a fullback like Juszczyk, however they might not want one. As a part of their dominance on the bottom in the course of the 2024 season, the Eagles put former linebacker Ben VanSumeren within the backfield as a lead blocker for operating again Saquon Barkley. VanSumeren performed fullback in faculty on the College of Michigan earlier than switching sides. He was so spectacular in his position that the Eagles switched his quantity from No. 57 to a standard fullback quantity, No. 43.
VanSumeren’s time on offense in 2024 was derailed by a season-ending knee harm in December, but when he returns to the lineup wholesome, the group should hope he’ll be again within the backfield for the Eagles this season.
The Eagles’ revitalization of the fullback may be vital, because the destiny of the “tush push” play remains to be undecided. After the Inexperienced Bay Packers submitted a proposal to ban the play, NFL group homeowners and officers tabled the dialogue for one more spherical of conferences this month.
In accordance with The Athletic’s NFL insider Dianna Russini, the play has a major detractor in NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who thinks it is not a soccer play. Whereas no vital accidents have been linked to the play, it actually is not flashy and an outlier in a flashy league.
The fullback place is itself a throwback to a bygone age of soccer. So, after all, the Eagles, who’ve constructed a popularity on old-school smash-mouth soccer, would wish to put it to use. However simply having an additional blocker will not make up for the success of the Brotherly Shove. Each group would really like a fullback for short-yardage performs if it had been that straightforward.
However lining up one man to get the ball on 4th-and-1 often makes it apparent who’s getting the rock, which makes it simpler for the protection to overload the road. The “tush push” places the ball within the arms of the quarterback underneath middle, who will get an help from the backs, pushing him ahead.
A devoted fullback might add a harmful new dimension to the defending champs, however their id will nonetheless be the “Brotherly Shove.”
