Mosi Tatupu - RIP

[Mikey]

http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/nfl/ne ... id=4940988

[Van]

That blows. He was my all-time favorite pure fullback for USC.

[Goober McTuber]

Over Sam Cunnigham, the player that integrated the Crimson Tide?

[Van]

That's why I mentioned pure fullback. To me, a pure fullback for USC doesn't get all that many carries. He's primarily a blocking back who also catches some passes. That was Mosi Tatupu.

Sam Cunningham made his name by carrying the ball and scoring TDs, often times as the feature back. Remember, Marcus Allen was also a fullback at USC, the year he caddied for Charles White. John Riggins was called a fullback for the Redskins, despite carrying the ball thirty-five times per game.

I'm just making a subtle differentiation, is all.

[Goober McTuber]

To me, a fullback is the guy lined up in front of the halfback or the I-back. How often his number gets called is irrelevant. He’ll still have to block for the guy behind him.

You looking for an argument?

[Van]

Me?? You're the one who started it!



Yes, I understand that a FB is simply the lead back in a multi-back formation. In USC's traditional I-formation the FB typically won't be a feature back. He'll be more of a Lorenzo Neal-type, as opposed to a Mike Alstott. He certainly won't be a John Riggins or Jim Brown, and he won't be counted on to dominate a game the way Cunningham did against Bama.

In some cases, such as with Stanley Havili, USC's FB is used as an additional 'skill player' type of weapon, but for the most part USC's FBs have been plowhorses who get the occasional short-yardage carry along with the odd swing pass thrown their way.

Of those types of USC FBs, yeah, Tatupu was my favorite.