The job description for NFL fullbacks reads as follows: “Run into stuff and blow it up.”
In the modern-era NFL, where everyone is on higher alert about the threat of head trauma and concussions, fullbacks seem to be a greater risk.
“It’s a physical position,” Falcons fullback Patrick DiMarco said Wednesday. “It’s like the linebacker of the offense. You’re always hitting people.”
DiMarco, who has started 18 games and played in 35 games over three seasons, is battling with Collin Mooney for the Falcons’ fullback spot. He hasn’t suffered a concussion and believes they are avoidable.
“Don’t stick your head in there and go for the kill shot all of the time,” DiMarco said. “Just make a good, solid block and work your feet to avoid all of that stuff.”
But in the heat of the battle, when he’s sizing up a linebacker in the team’s new outside perimeter blocking scheme, the play might not be that clean.
“Between the tackles you’re banging,” DiMarco said. “Outside the tackles you’re running. It’s a tough one. It takes a toll on your body, but it’s well worth it.”
He acknowledges the collisions, but is not overly concerned about concussions.
“You’re always running, getting out there and trying to make the running backs look good and clear paths for them,” DiMarco said. “There are a lot of collisions, but if you do it right, you’re not going to get a concussion.”
After playing two seasons with the Tennessee Titans, Mooney, who played at Army, was released. He sat out last season and is trying to make a comeback with the Falcons.
The threat of amassing concussions was not at the forefront of Mooney’s mind last season. While out of the game, he continued to work out in Nashville, hoping to get a call from an NFL team.
“You just have to keep a working mindset and treat it as a long offseason,” Mooney said. “There are emotional ups and downs when you are going through a season, when you sit out a season like that. You keep the faith and hope that something is going to work out.”
He jumped at the chance to turn his body back into a NFL battering ram when the Falcons called.
“Thus far, it’s been good,” Mooney said. “I feel good. I’m picking things up quickly. I feel like I’m learning the offense.”
The physical nature of the position was no deterrent to Mooney.
“You have to get off the ball hard, getting to the edge and protect those running backs,” Mooney said. “You have to give them a hole to run, a butt to run off of and get them moving.”
In addition to lead-blocking, DiMarco notes that the position requires additional skills.
“You’re also a pass catcher, and you are protecting the quarterback,” DiMarco said. “It’s the same fullback duties, but a little more outside running. It’s just a good blend of it all.”
DiMarco and Mooney have spent time with the first-team offense in training camp.
“At the fullback spot in some of the wide zone plays in this offense, it’s how quickly they can get out of the I (formation) and get going,” Falcons coach Dan Quinn said. “That’s what I’ve seen from those two guys and then in the pass game, you are an in-the-flat pass game-catcher. Patrick has especially shown up in that way.”
Mooney played in 14 games and made four starts with the Titans. He’s caught six career passes and had five rushes for 19 yards. DiMarco has no NFL carries, but has caught 17 passes, one for a touchdown.
“DiMarco is a veteran,” running backs coach Bobby Turner said. “He’s been here. He plays hard.”
It appears that DiMarco is the better pass catcher, and Mooney may have an advantage in the lead-blocking department.
“They are playing and just finishing,” Turner said. “I tell you, Mooney, from every snap, Day 1 from since he’s been here, he definitely finishes.”
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