Fullbacks & Tight Ends

What’s there not to like about these grunts? Both are positions that ultimately require more physical brute than gifted skill, and, as the Bengals have demonstrated in the past decade or so, it isn’t necessary for them to touch the ball all that often. They’re typically guys the size of punching bags there to act as a barrier between defender and ball-carrier and nothing else. Sure it’s nice to have an agile few in the bunch; guys who can distract the defense into thinking they might actually catch a pass or two, but when it comes down to it, they are there to block. Which brings me to several points. First is the value of Reggie Kelly. Yes, he’s getting old for NFL standards. I know that he doesn’t have much play-making ability, and it’s true his replacement was probably drafted in Chase Coffman, but if nothing else, the man can block very well. I remember Brian Billick once referring to Kelly as a third tackle after a game. Also, Carson lo...