Published: July 05, 2008 11:12 pm            

BILLS: Fullback returns to the offense

ORCHARD PARK — Fullbacks vanished from the Buffalo Bills offense over a year ago. For all intents and purposes, they’ve yet to return.

Though first-year coordinator Turk Schonert declared at his introductory press conference that his offensive philosophy includes use of a blocking fullback, the players brought into fill that role have yet to show their stuff.

The non-contact nature of spring practices doesn’t suit their smash-mouth style.

“Every fullback knows training camp is his time to shine,” said Darian Barnes, who will enter training camp July 25 as the No. 1 fullback on the Bills’ depth chart. “I consider myself a physical player, and I hope to show that.”

Barnes, a seventh-year player who was released by the Jets late last season, was signed as a free agent in January, days after Schonert’s hiring.

That ended a short-lived era for the Bills, when traditional fullbacks were left off the roster in favor of hybrid tight ends, or H-backs, like Ryan Neufeld and Derek Schouman.

The Bills did carry one true fullback, Jonathan Evans, on their practice squad last season. He now figures to be the only competition for Barnes during training camp after rookie free agent Mike Viti was released last week.

Eric Studesville, the Bills running backs coach, said having a fullback in the backfield will bring more physicality to the offense this season. He said that will benefit the team’s leading rusher, Marshawn Lynch, and his primary backup, Fred Jackson.

Lynch could not comment on how he feels about playing with a traditional fullback, since he dodged reporters throughout most of the organized team activities after being involved in a hit-and-run incident that was recently settled.

While some runners thrive with a battering-ram lead blocker opening holes, others find they have more room to maneuver without a fullback.

The Bills are reintroducing fullbacks at a time when several teams around the league are de-emphasizing the position.

Pat Kirwan, a senior analyst for NFL.com, wrote last month that the fullback, along with traditional middle linebackers, in-the-box safeties, and in-line tight ends, “are dinosaurs in the modern game, which emphasizes spreading everyone else out and looking for favorable matchups.”

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Receiving skills are more coveted now in fullbacks than in years past, according to Kirwan. He cited the Jets’ Tony Richardson, whose emergence led to Barnes’ release.

Barnes has 14 catches in 66 games during his career. A blocker by nature, Barnes said he’s learned from a more experienced fullback at every one of his previous stops, including former Bills fullback Sam Gash.

“He’s what we’re looking for at that fullback spot right now,” Studesville said. “He’s got that size and the speed and he’s really, really tough.”

Contact reporter Jonah Bronstein at 282-2311, ext. 2258.

        

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