Raiders using something that is a lost art in the NFL
Not a whole lot of teams use the fullback anymore. It is almost a lost art in the NFL. However, the Las Vegas Raiders have been using it as of late, and it has been working to a tee. The Raiders' fullback situation or room, starts and ends with Jakob Johnson. Some of you may […]
Not a whole lot of teams use the fullback anymore. It is almost a lost art in the NFL. However, the Las Vegas Raiders have been using it as of late, and it has been working to a tee.
The Raiders' fullback situation or room, starts and ends with Jakob Johnson. Some of you may know him as number 45. He is a large reason the run game has been working so well as of late.
On Tuesday, offensive coordinator Mick Lombardi was asked about what Johnson brings to the team, and how he has helped.
"Yeah, Jak [Jakob Johnson] brings something to the table in terms of hard work, and dependability as a player. He is a phenomenal person, works extremely hard," Lombardi told reporters.
"He brings some continuity I would say to the type of player that every coach wants to have in their room… In terms of just playing fullback, he brings an elite of toughness… Whatever the run scheme is, sure you will see him [Johnson] run downhill, coming downhill and hitting linebackers. That is his skill set."
Lombardi was then asked why the Raiders use a fullback when it seems like the rest of the league is going away from it, and most teams don't use one.
"I think for us in terms of fullback, again, it brings an element of toughness, downhill runs, and we feel like we can control the line of scrimmage with the fullback on the field. And it depends on the game plan, right?" Lombardi said.
"Obviously, we go into each week saying what personnel groupings give us certain things we can try to attack from what we are trying to do offensively, and if we see that Jak being on the field gives us a certain look we want to try and exploit, then we will do that. If not, then we won't."
Johnson has been a key part of what the Raiders are trying to do on offense. While his game won't really show up on the stat sheet, he is making some of the most important plays
Johnson is one of the best blockers on the team that isn't an offensive lineman, so for him to be leading downhill on some run plays is key to why they get such big gains.
And, he is just a nice dude.
Featured Image Via Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
