We rarely hear or read any news about Cleveland Browns fullback Lawrence Vickers. It may be that the fullback position is becoming an endangered species in the NFL; or that it lacks sex appeal; or it might also be because Lawrence is a fairly quiet guy off the field who, in our opinion, is underrated among the league's best fullbacks.
Just a couple of months ago, a group of former NFL scouts working for The Sporting News ranked the NFL's ten best fullbacks. Vickers did not make the list. Here is the link.
http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/article/2009-05-18/fullback-rankings-versatility-name-game
At 6 feet tall and 250 pounds, Lawrence is certainly not the biggest fullback in the NFL. But he is very solid in short yardage situations (whether moving the pile or carrying the football himself); he has better than average receiving hands for a fullback; and he is an excellent blocker. He ought to have made the list as one of the top fullbacks in the league.
Vickers was drafted by the Browns in the sixth round (180th overall) in 2006. He served in his first season as the backup fullback to Terrelle Smith.
Lawrence earned his keep and then some in 2007. Keeping in mind that Jamal Lewis was no spring chicken and that our offensive line was revamped, it is a testament to Vickers, that in his first season as the starting fullback, he helped Lewis rush for more than 1300 yards and nine TDs. Further, Vickers himself tallied 15 carries for 43 yards in short situations plus 13 receptions for nearly 100 yards and two touchdowns. It is not surprising that his efforts got Lawrence named as an alternate fullback for the 2008 Pro Bowl.
We may see more of Vickers this coming season. With a more balanced offensive line and a return to trench football in Cleveland, Lawrence can be a real asset in helping our rushing game among Lewis, Harrison and Davis.
Go Browns!
-Clayton
http://www.clevelandbrownsweblog.com
Devo's Cleveland Browns
I have an article about Vickers too. Check it out here:
ReplyDeletedawgscooper.blogspot.com