One of my favorite players to suit up for the Eagles is Kevin Turner who spent five seasons with the team from 1995-1999. His relentless and unselfish style drew my attention on a weekly basis.
Turner was never a focal point of the offense, but when his number #34 was called, he ran with purpose and caught everything thrown his way.
The Eagles had some other notable fullbacks after Turner. Cecil Martin was an outstanding leader on the field and an active participant in the local community. John Ritchie literally “bled” for his team.
Leonard Weaver was more than a terrific blocker; the threat of his offensive skillset provided the Eagles with another weapon. There was even the Dan Klecko experiment, which is best known for yet example where Andy Reid went into the season disregarding a position on the team. Remember when Greg Lewis was asked to return punts?
With Doug Pederson calling the shots, the fullback position is almost certain to return for the 2016 season. here is a familiar last name who will likely hear his name called day three of the NFL draft, Glenn Gronkowski. The other Gronkowski who entered the NFL as a fullback was Chris Gronkowski, he went undrafted and bounced around to three different teams before his three year NFL career came to an end. Would the Eagles spare one of their 7th round picks to select the youngest Gronkowski brother?
There is actually a player currently on the Eagles who played some fullback in college, third year tight-end Trey Burton. I think Burton has value; he has decent route running ability with above average hands. At 6’2” and 235 pounds, he has a similar build to former Penn State Lion and Seattle Seahawk Michael Robinson.
I’d like for Pederson to provide Burton with the opportunity to make the transition to fullback, or at the very least, find a role for the guy in the offensive game plan. With Celek and Ertz both signing new deals, Burton will be limited in the offense as a third tight-end, a move to fullback game would fill a void for the Eagles with a guy already on the roster.
The other option is the most realistic option. The Eagles will simply sign a free agent fullback, or sign one or two undrafted players after the draft.
If I’m Pederson, I’m going to give Burton every opportunity to win the job. I’d love to see a veteran like John Kuhn come back to Pennsylvania to finish up his career, but he is likely to be a Packer for life.
DeMarco Murray has to be excited for the return of a lead blocker to help with the run game, and so am I.
Smash mouth football in Philadelphia paired with an aggressive defense, that’s a style the fan base can certainly rally behind.
A Gronk of our own!!!!
Seems good but I remember when we got a Matthews of our own.
Poor Leonard weaver. One of the most gruesome Injuries I have ever seen.
Great idea though Jeff!! I had stated on the previous article how Trey burton would be a good idea at the Fb position and deadly he is in madden at that spot lol. I hope we take advantage of his speed and athleticism cause Trey is a baller when given the chance
I respect the madden reference. Ps2 , madden 2012 (peyton hillis on front cover) is the most recent video game I own.
Boy…smashmouth football with a fullback…that would be a sight to see
Gronkowski’s Youngest Brother is Draft Eligible out of Kansas State
He goes about 6-2 235lbs ..? He’s the 6th of the Gronkowski Boys so you know he’s gotta have a feisty spirit about him..
There’s a FB from Marshall University Nick “Rockhead” Johnson who goes
6-2 240lns and Played TE,FB & RB during his College Career and gas nice hands for a big guy ..
There will be some FB’s there in the 7th Round and even as Undrafted Free Agents after the Draft
Burton could be a good FB if he is a willing and able NFL blocker. I can not say if he is or not based on his work at TE. He is too small to be a true TE buy a FB that can move and catch …… Anyone hear gruden.. Spider 2 Y banana…I tell you we used to run that back in my….
Heres a novel idea. How about we just bring in someone who is actually a fullback instead of trying to convert everyone. Just a thought.
There are plenty of FB’s inthe Draft or thst can be had after the Draft
True FB’s from Georgia, Alabama, Texas A&M, Marshall, Kansas State all
Will be available
I agree Dag. No more trying to turn guys into something that they are not.
Here’s the List of Top Full-Back’s in the 2016 Draft
1) Glenn Gronkowski – Kansas State – (6-2′ – 238lbs) – 5th Rounder
2) Dan Vitale – Northwestern – (6-1′ 240lbs) – 6th Rounder
3) Derek Carr – Wisconsin – (6-2″ – 235lbs) – 6th/7th Rounder
4) Patrick SKov – Georgia Tech – (6-1″ 235lbs) – 7th Rounder/UDFA
5) Quayvon Hicks – Georgia – (6-1 250lbs) – 7th Rounder/UDFA
6) Traylon Durham – Kent State (6-1 248lbs) – 7th Rouder/UDFA
7) Devon Johnson – Marshall (6-2 253lbs) – 7th Rounder/UDFA
Jon Ritchie and Cecil Martin were the FBs I remember when Coach Reid was here. Was Cecil Martin a draft pick or a non drafted free agent?
The GB fullback is a FA, John Kuhn.
Cecil Martin was a 6th Round Draft Pick in 1999 Draft by the Eagles from the
University of Wisconsin.. He played 3 Years with the Eagles and then finished up with the Raiders and TB Bucs and played in 61 NFL Games 7 Post Season Games in his 5 Year Career per Wikipedia..
If his last name ends with SKI. And he plays football watch out brother! he is tough as nails already,.The bone crunching shots another Eagle named SKI took from the giants D line, are still legendary.