Koetter Didn’t Plan To Go Fullback-Free
September 5th, 2016
Back at the NFC Coaches Breakfast in Boca Raton this year, Joe was inhaling A-list croissants alongside Dirk Koetter, while the head coach talked about yearning for a fullback.
Koetter is one of the dying breed of coaches who likes fullbacks. He developed a Pro Bowl fullback in Patrick DiMarco in Atlanta, and he desired one for the Buccaneers’ offense.
“We don’t have a fullback right now, and we’re going to get one. We just haven’t found him yet. He might be sitting at this table right now. Who knows?” Koetter said at the NFC Coaches’ breakfast.
“We’re in the process of looking for a fullback. They’re hard to find. In college football, there’s none in college football. I shouldn’t say, “None.” There’s a handful. There’s just not many teams that use them.
“Right now, Luke Stocker has played some fullback, fullback-type things. We ask our tight ends to learn that position, all of our tight ends, but the prototype fullback is a rare breed right now.”
Yes, the Bucs drafted Dan Vitale in the sixth round, but his blocking was shoddy and he got waived. Vitale is now on the Buffalo Bills’ 53-man roster.
So the Bucs have no fullback. Tight end Luke Stocker will be the man, and he can’t wait.
Joe is interested to see whether a true fullback finds his way onto the roster as the season progresses. It’s certainly not a necessity, but Stocker is prone to injuries. An Erik Lorig type, the guy who blocked for Doug Martin in 2012, would be pretty cool about now.
September 5th, 2016 at 10:00 am
With all the 3 and 4 wide sets and shifting backs out wide keeping a true fullback on the roster for a handful of plays each week is hard to justify
September 5th, 2016 at 10:13 am
Tmaxcon
I agree….unless your fullback can actually run and go out for passes, they are a waste….they have to pose an offensive threat.
We only used Lane 3 times last year to run or receive.
September 5th, 2016 at 10:31 am
If only we had a young rookie fullback that could run routes, catch passes, run block and learn to pass block as he developed…
…sigh…
#DanVitale
September 5th, 2016 at 10:35 am
Cross looks more like a fullback than a tight end.
September 5th, 2016 at 10:37 am
@Bonzai
The problem was that #DanVitale needed to learn how to run routes. Learn how to catch passes. And learn how to run block as well. At least on the NFL level.
September 5th, 2016 at 10:51 am
Hey can we get a piece on Cross? No offense but this article seems a little misinformed based on the fact that Cross seems to be the most prototypical Fb on roster and won his spot over Vitale. Otherwise keep up the good work, Joe.
September 5th, 2016 at 11:06 am
Joe couldn’t resist the chance to take a swipe at the Dan Vitale fanboy club. It will be interesting to watch his career develop. He could be a player the Bucs regret letting get away, but time will tell.
September 5th, 2016 at 11:08 am
Lorig is currently a free agent..
September 5th, 2016 at 11:29 am
I second the motion for an article on Alex Cross.
September 5th, 2016 at 11:35 am
with the way Cross is blocking, we dont need a fullback. If he catches any passes its a plus.
September 5th, 2016 at 12:55 pm
What ever happened to Lorig
September 5th, 2016 at 1:38 pm
There’s a reason they kept Cross, and it’s not because they really needed a 5th body at TE.
September 5th, 2016 at 2:33 pm
Lou, that is bull, lol.
September 5th, 2016 at 3:39 pm
It seems to me that dan didnt have NFL athleticism. And the bucs hoped he would be a better run blocker, but he proved pretty useless in that department. Im sure the bucs wanted to groom him on the practice squad. But oh well.
September 5th, 2016 at 6:23 pm
bills release rb/fb dan vitale. on waivers until wed.
via greg auman
September 5th, 2016 at 6:36 pm
We’re in luck! Bruce Miller, full back for the 49ers was just released. Seems when he got to his hotel and was told all the rooms were full, he didn’t take it lying down like Joseph and Mary. Instead he barged into an occupied room and punched out a 70 year old man, breaking a few of his facial bones in the process. Sounds like just the kind of hard nosed SOB we could use on this team. After he gets out of prison, that is.
September 5th, 2016 at 8:19 pm
Bruce miller would bring some “nasty” to the offense. I say sign him now!
September 5th, 2016 at 11:33 pm
LMFAO @ Irishmist!!!