Until recently when people thought of Tennessee football the phrase “smash mouth” immediately came to mind. Teams knew that UT was going to run the ball right at them, but they still struggled to contain our run game no matter who was plugged in at running back. Reggie Cobb gave way to chuck Webb followed by Tony Thompson. James “little man” Stewart and Charlie Garner were followed by Jay Graham, then Jamal Lewis and Travis Henry who handed the baton to Travis Stephens. Since 2002 the Vols run game has clearly regressed. But Why? We have signed highly regarded players at Running back and on the O line. How did we get to the point where on third down, needing 2 yards, we are throwing the ball out of the Shotgun because we don’t have confidence to run the ball?
The talent level on the offensive line hasn’t dropped off that much in the last decade. The key component to Tennessee’s dominating run game since the mid 1980’s was having a great run blocker paving the way at full back. From Roland Poles to Chester Ford, Shawn Bryson, and Will Bartholomew, we always had someone leading the way and taking out a potential tackler. Watch almost any great Tennessee run, and you are bound to see a fullback making a key block helping to turn a 10 yard run into a 60 yard run. However, we have not had a true run blocking fullback since the 2001 season, Rarely have we lined up in a true I-formation with a fullback leading the way. We have used Chris Brown to block on the edges but not in a power run formation. The fact is if you are not running out of the spread you must have a solid fullback.So who can fill this role the Volunteers? Two people. One being Ben Bartholomew, Will’s younger brother, and the other being Kevin Cooper. Both have bright futures.
Go Big Orange!
Guy Tiller
Below are a few videos of great Tennessee runs where you can see how important the fullback position was. There is also a video of UGA’s great fullback Brannon Southerland.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=6NKgqv7xlfg
http://youtube.com/watch?v=1How2ktm1uE
http://youtube.com/watch?v=hOlV5MzCYQY&feature=related
http://youtube.com/watch?v=-ZHgVhxh_ro&feature=related
http://youtube.com/watch?v=46Zdkm-RAYo