Former Bills FB Corey Knox: Exclusive Interview

BuffaLowDown: With the increase of spread offenses and other formations that don’t utilize the position what’s your take on the future for fullback’s in the NFL? Additionally, I heard an interesting point that NFL teams are trending towards smaller, quicker DE’s and LB’s. If this trend continues is it possible that the fullback position could become more important where a big bruising fullback would have a major advantage over some of these smaller players?

Corey: The trend has changed a bit. The point I always make to people is if you watch the teams that make late playoff runs they typically will have a solid fullback at least in recent years. I don’t think Denver did last year. I think their run game was just solid the way it was but some of those other teams that made long runs usually will have a decent fullback that they can use at the right times. I think the traditional fullback in the NFL is kind of obsolete.

I think the guys who are the 270-280 pound steamrollers that just run straight up and down, I don’t think there is a place for them anymore. Not to say that there shouldn’t be but like you said a lot of teams are running spread offenses, a lot of teams are running read options or zone and guys need to open up their hips and get out in space and attack moving targets not just a straight up and down iso to the right or left side.

Fullbacks these days need to be a little more of a hybrid. You have to sometimes split out, or run a route or catch the ball. I think guys like that that can do it all are going to give themselves a better chance. I do think that establishing a run game will become a trend again in the NFL. I know that obviously the passing game is huge and people say you can get a running back anywhere. You don’t really need it, it’s not that big of a part of the game. But late in the playoffs it is. The teams with the better running game typically have a better chance of winning because it opens up the passing game. Especially against good defenses because you have to keep them off balance.

I think a good fullback can be physical straight up and down in a power or iso situation, they can also open their hips and get out on the edge and seal off blockers to open up a wide sweep or a wide zone play. They can also fake the power and go into the flats and catch a nice pass as well. I think those are the guys who have a great chance. The fullback for the Ravens and also the guy from the Falcons had great years last year. They did a little bit of everything. The traditional fullbacks who are straight up and down and can’t get out of their own way are kind of obsolete. I would like to see more well-rounded athletes at the position who can do everything.

Like you said, if defenders are smaller, they are also probably a little quicker and more slippery. They are not your big 260 pound middle linebackers. They are 235-240 pound guys who can move their feet and hips. You need to lock onto those guys so it takes a better athlete to do that.

Next: What fullbacks did Corey mirror his game after?