Chiefs: To Fullback, Or Not To Fullback? That Is The Question.
38 repliesOver the NFL preseason, there has been a little debate over whether or not the Chiefs need a fullback on the roster. Where do you stand — Arrowhead Guys?
Welcome back to Arrowhead Guys. Unless you’ve never been here before — in that case, welcome to the Chiefs asylum on the Internet that is For The Fans * By The Fans. Thanks for joining us! Today, we’re going to be discussing the fullback position for the Kansas City Chiefs. Is it worth the roster spot? Is it an Andy Reid staple that isn’t going anywhere? Is there an option to discard the position and add an extra playmaker for Patrick Mahomes to utilize in the Red and Gold Arsenal? Most fans remember Anthony Sherman (The Sausage and/or The Shermanator) and his Pro Bowl caliber history with the Kansas City Chiefs–he was fun to watch. But are you familiar with our new fullback–Michael Burton? He’s like the Daydream version of the Nigerian Nightmare–only in America at XMAS time. Okay, he’s not — but we are talking smash-mouth football, and can you think of a better image to use then Christian Okoye? Me either, but we probably should meet Michael “TIM” Burton:
Michael Burton has agreed to a one-year deal with the Chiefs.
— Chiefs Kingdom (@ChiefsKingdomCP) April 1, 2021
Welcome to Kansas, Michael! ? pic.twitter.com/sQwqHQHrpG
Above, you’ll notice that I included a table from PFR to give you a little insight into what Burton’s career has looked like thus far. It appears that with the Kansas City Chiefs, Burton is fitting right in. From what I’ve seen of him in the preseason so far, he looks to be a four phase football player that can do it all. Keep in mind, that’s exactly what we had in Sherman and with him being gone, Burton seems like the perfect replacement. Before we get into whether or not having a fullback is necessary to the Chiefs offense. Let’s go back to what he said when he joined the organization back in the spring:
From the Spring…
— W.A. Watts (@ChiefBlindersOn) August 24, 2021
Michael Burton: “I expect my role to be a four phaser” | Press Conferenc… https://t.co/NV2T718Thx via @YouTube
“I expect my role to be a four phaser — I mean, that’s the goal — like you said, playing fullback, you have to be a four phaser — you just have to be! It’s really important to me to be a four phaser and to be a very good four phaser.” ~ Michael Burton in response to:
Chiefs
Matt Derrick – What do you expect your role to be with this club?
For the rest of the interview, click on the above link. I think it’s important to note that he said four phaser four times, so he’s not just saying it — he’s lyrically doing it. That’s dedication. And one of the reasons I decided to pull this particular quote Matt Derrick fished for with the new fullback was because it’s a great answer to the ‘Do we need a fullback’ question. Where the answer is: YES! — Just so long as that fullback becomes a four phaser like – “one, two, three, four” – or a Star Trek battle scene against one worthy foe or four unworthy ones.
The reason this article came to form was because fans such as PAM and our fearless leader Tony Sommer insinuated this team can utilize a little more football weapons and a little less running. But I don’t want to put words in their (smash) mouths — so let’s go back in time a couple of days and examine their comments about the fullback position for the Kansas City Chiefs, led by Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes:
probablyamistake 08/22/2021 5:47 pm
Don’t care about a FB, I want Fountain on this club. FBs are for running oriented teams, that’s not us. Give Patrick more weapons! I don’t understand why this is so hard to accept.
upamtnReply to probablyamistake 08/22/2021 5:49 pm
Don’t care what you want, it ain’t yer team —
besides, maybe we SHOULD be MORE run-oriented than we currently are …
probablyamistake Reply to upamtn 08/22/2021 6:01 pm
We should run just enough to keep the D honest, that’s it. Let’s see, who’s hands do I want to see the ball in, Patrick’s or CEH’s? Man that’s a tough one
Tony SommerReply to upamtn 08/22/2021 6:25 pm
I’m with Pam, running is for suckers.
This is just the tip of the iceberg for some of the great comments utilized in EAFOX’s KC CHIEFS: THE REPORT from 08-22-2021. Now it’s time to plunge the Titanic into that proverbial iceberg (like a fullback full speed into an unsuspecting Defender named Jack Rose) of a topic and see what’s still standing in the end (zone.) Will it be the fullback? Or will it be the bonus roster weapon like Daurice Fountain? What’s more important from a weapon stand-point? Does it even matter, as my initial thought was that Andy Reid isn’t going to scrap the fullback completely?
PLEASE: Andy Reid On…
However, that’s not exactly true. If you go back through Reid’s past, you’ll find years in which the fullback wasn’t featured at a premium. He’s had some fullback names that you probably haven’t thought of for a while. Players such as Kevin Turner, Cecil Martin and Jon Ritchie. For me, just reading the name Jon Ritchie was enough of a similarity for me to evoke another fullback of that NFL era. Another man rich in smash-mouth style… The Kansas City Chiefs’ very own, Tony Richardson — “T-Rich“ — as he became known by our fanbase! — T-Rich is in the Chiefs’ Ring of Honor and is often referred to as one of the best ever. Can you imagine the Chiefs passing him off for an extra fringe receiver? The only possible scenario I can think of where that might be a fair trade is T-Rich vs. Joe Horn. Joe Horn left in 2000, T-Rich had his best years after and around those years. Whose career do you pick?
I think that’s an interesting discussion. If you lose T-Rich, you lose some of the effectiveness of those Chiefs teams with Priest Holmes. However, if you gain Joe Horn maybe the Chiefs have an unstoppable passing attack with Trent Green, Tony Gonzalez, Joe Horn, Dante Hall, Priest Holmes and Eddie Kennison. That would have been some offense, and the Chiefs would have still had Jason Dunn and one of the better All-Time OL’s. It might have worked. That said, I still can’t just give up the value of a fullback just because the Chiefs once gave up on a receiver too early. Most times, fringe receivers don’t end up being Joe Horn.
Another value I see in Michael Burton and going the fullback route is picking up the blitz. Even though our offensive line looks better, I don’t think I can devalue the effectiveness of a guy like Burton taking out a defensive end coming free and saving our half-billion-dollar QB. Additionally, I believe that Burton has value on the special teams and being that “four phaser” that he suggested is important to him. Watching him play in the preseason, Burton seemed like a younger Anthony Sherman, and I think the Chiefs can use that ability. Mostly, I just don’t see Andy Reid going without a FB mainstay. When he did that BIG RED had backs like Brian Westbrook and LeSean McCoy, but ultimately had some sort of at least hybrid TE/RB/FB player on the roster if not a dedicated pure FB. Which boils down to no extra roster spot available for an extra KC fountain of weapons like Daurice could be for Mahomes.
Full(back) Conclusion
At the end of the zone: to fullback or not to fullback? The answer for me is–TO FULLBACK–I feel the Kansas City Chiefs will stick with four phase FB Michael Burton (one fullback–not two fullbacks, not ‘too-full-bags’ of receivers) and the position on the Kansas City Chiefs roster. Not because I don’t like extra weapons for Patrick Mahomes, but due to all of the little things that a fullback can do for a football team in all four phases of the game. Welcome (again!) to the Chiefs, Michael Burton–see you in the end zone–not a field goal–as we want 6 from the fullback not 3, because that’s what a fullback is for in all four phases. Smash-mouth football!
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Completely agree … To Fullback, that IS the answer!
5 Stars
CBO: sorry to highjack a great topic with the Watts news; while I was never a Stones or Beatles aficionado still it hits home, his passing, because these two bands were always there growing up.
I’m guessing they’ll keep Burton, and there’s some reassurance in having a FB of his skill and experience. But that decision is also tied to the questions of whether they keep DRob,, Fountain, Fortson and or Bell and or Gray, and whether they carry extra WRs or DBs. I think this is the most intriguing aspect of the roster cuts. Great stuff, CBO!
And if one skips past the Stones tunes there’s some good thoughts on the FB question below.
I just made the evening post. And I hit on it there… you’ll see. It’ll be up at 5:30. BRaG is touching it up now.
RIP Charlie Watts.
Still we’re gonna miss you.
Honkytonk Woman
Thanks, CBO.
Wow
Burton seems like a very astute guy from the way addressed the media. I think he already has a spot on the roster.
Burton talks a lot about versatility early on, and that’s singing Reid’s favorite tune. Guys who are very good at a number of different things are as hard to come by as top-tier dedicated role players, such as WRs. Andy loves SAK players, they allow him to be more creative with his play designs, and that in turn helps the whole offense. Adding an extra WR instead doesn’t do the same thing.
Would you consider Fortson to be more versatile than a WR6/7?
Tom Rathman is the FB I think of from the past who played an integral role in the Niners offense, but that’s not how Big Red uses his fullbacks with the Chiefs. As for the Chiefs current roster, this is an intriguing topic. I’ve already opined that the choice – FB/WR6/TE4 – should be based on overall contribution, including special teams. If Burton is a four phase standout then he is the guy to keep. I am very interested to see how the Chiefs STs perform this year, I believe they can make a real difference and I want players best suited to those duties. Now, if Jody Fortson can be as good as Burton on special teams then I would argue he should be kept over Burton, especially if his blocking skills have improved as much as folks like Seth have said.
Speaking of special teams.
There you go. Sounds like Fortson is on the rise and DRob is on the outs. Interesting.
I have a feeling if D-Rob makes it to the final preseason game. He’s going to have a monster game. I think all of us agree that he’s always been talented, but as Toub hinted at–it’s been frustrating to watch.
too late to have a monster game too many other guys need to see the ball. if you don’t know what to expect by now, you never will.
I agree, we know what to expect from him and the bar is low enough that a guy like Fortson or Hughes look better.
I’m just saying, he seems like that type of player. The contract year type.
Normally I would agree that a FB is a good thing to have. A good one is versatile, can add a lot to a team. Been watching this game for a long time. Watched our team lose the very first SB with my dad and grand dad. Then we watched them comeback and win it. There is such a small window in time to succeed in sports. The time we are in right now doesn’t come along very often. Has anyone here seen a QB like Patrick? I haven’t. We all know what cost us the SB, blocking. If a FB adds so much to blocking, where was Sherman in the SB? I didn’t see him in the backfield picking anybody up. A FB couldn’t make a difference in that game. If we’re talking traditional football, then the LOS is where the game is won and lost. The OL is where it’s at, and hopefully Veach fixed it. Maybe having an extra WR for that game could’ve helped though. Kelce was the only one playing well. Depth at WR would have given our offense another option. Put someone on the bench and give someone else a chance. The bottom line for me is that opposing teams are coming after Patrick regardless of our run game, special teams or whatever. He is their target. Give Him more weapons.
I don’t think the Super Bowl was all OL play, or all lack of blocking from Anthony Sherman. It was a total Chiefs failure as a team, especially the drops. One thing I think that effected the team is what happened with Britt Reid, as I think it kind of took the wind out of the Chiefs Super Bowl sails. That may be speculation, but I feel that is a part of the equation somewhere that fans olé when talking about why the Chiefs may have lost the Super Bowl. Nevertheless, it was fun writing this piece and even though I’m not going to get you to change your mind–it was cool taking on the subject.
I still don’t think it will happen, but in doing this–I can definitely see where you’re coming from more. Thanks PAM.
It was 31-9. I’m not sure another back up receiver would have made up 22 points. — Jus sayin’
Agree, total team failure. It did start with Britt and just snowballed on us. I don’t think it will happen either, but I honestly think Andy should consider it. He won’t. Doubt if it’s even crossed his mind. Flipping Geezer ?
I think that it “snowballed on us” is an accurate assessment. To Mahomes credit, he did try to miracle his way out of it (We haven’t seen anyone like #15). Truly an amazing effort, but it was just the Bucs year (VOMIT!). They played better and wanted it more than the Chiefs wanted to catch passes that hit them unfortunately–right in the hands.
….or face mask :)
The 10 Greatest NFL Fullbacks of All Time
by Kofi Bofah on December 20, 2015
I think we should, but then I’m from the old school (“you confounded kids get off my lawn!”) and believe in running the ball a lot more than is seen in the modern NFL. That’s almost sacrilege considering who we have as our signal-caller, but I believe in running to keep defenses honest. In a pass-heavy league, everyone expects the pass, and the run is a good way to keep that element of surprise in the game (at least, in my eyes).
Our brains are on fire with the feeling to kill
And it will not go away until our dreams are fulfilled
There is only one thing on our minds
Don’t try running away ’cause you’re the one we will find
Running, on our way, hiding
You will pay dying
One thousand deaths