Tag: Fullback

Saints may have settled their fullback competition by waiving Zander Horvath

The Saints may have settled their fullback competition by waiving Zander Horvath. But is Adam Prentice’s job really safe from Taysom Hill?

Training camp isn’t over just yet, but the New Orleans Saints may have already settled their fullback competition. Zander Horvath was let go on Tuesday, per NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill.

Horvath followed running backs coach Derrick Foster to New Orleans from the Los Angeles Chargers, and he initially seemed to have an edge over Adam Prentice, who the Saints re-signed this offseason after he tested free agency. Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak asks a lot of his fullbacks in blocking for their teammates while also running routes and occasionally catching passes, and Prentice has emerged as a better option.

That’s a little surprising after Prentice’s rough 2023 season. He had a costly fumble and some dropped passes last year, but credit to him for stepping up in the face of competition. But he isn’t out of the woods yet. Taysom Hill has taken more snaps at fullback this summer than in the past and Prentice must convince the coaching staff they still need a full-time fullback even with Hill in the mix to a greater degree. We’ll keep an eye on him through the next two preseason games.

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Carson Steele wants to be a ‘Swiss Army knife’ in Chiefs offense

#Chiefs rookie RB Carson Steele told reporters that he wants to be a “Swiss Army knife” in Andy Reid’s offense this season. | @EdEastonJr

On Saturday, the Kansas City Chiefs had their first opportunity to see multiple young players make their NFL debuts, giving coaches an early indication of what they can offer the team.

Chiefs rookie Carson Steele is listed as a running back but has garnered attention as a potential fullback if he makes the final roster. After an impressive preseason debut over the weekend, he spoke with reporters on Monday after practice to address his role on the team.

“My main goal is trying to be like a Swiss army knife, try to do it all type of deal,” said Steele. “Wherever they need to put me in is where I can get in. And so, like they were saying, implementing the fullback in there as well as being able to block, especially catch out of the backfield, too, not only just being able to run.”

During Saturday’s preseason opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Steele had four rushes for 29 yards and a touchdown, proving he can dominate in short-yardage situations. Steele opened up about his potential role on the team as a fullback, which drew him to sign with Kansas City as an undrafted free agent.

“Coach Reid has had his fullbacks before. They didn’t have one last year, and talking with the coaches and stuff as I got picked up was the kind of thing we talked about,” Steele explained. “Coming in on packages, third and one, third and twos, and being able to be a bigger guy and block, especially catching out of the backfield, as well.”

The Chiefs went last season without a fullback and haven’t had one since Michael Burton’s departure a few seasons ago. Steele appears eager for any opportunity and is willing to embrace the new role as a fullback.

Countdown to Kickoff: Zander Horvath is the Saints Player of Day 40

We continue our daily countdown to the Saints Week 1 kickoff with No. 40. Fullback Zander Horvath is the Saints Player of the Day:

The New Orleans Saints Week 1 matchup with the Carolina Panthers is getting closer and closer, with only 40 days remaining until this divisional tilt. As we continue to count down the days until that first matchup for the Saints, we look at the corresponding jersey number to that amount of days remaining, which today is fullback Zander Horvath.

The number has had some quality players tied to it across Saints history, with Delvin Breaux, Robert Massey, and Terry Schmidt all being notable users of the No. 40 jersey.

With that said, let’s take a look at Horvath’s career so far, his background, and what we may be able to expect from him this upcoming 2024 season.

  • Name (Age): Zander Horvath (25)
  • Position: Fullback
  • Height, weight: 6-foot-3, 230 pounds
  • Relative Athletic Score: 9.83
  • 2024 salary cap hit: $915,000
  • College: Purdue
  • Drafted: Round 7, Pick 260 (Los Angeles Chargers)
  • NFL experience: 2 seasons

Horvath is an intriguing addition for the Saints, as he was exceptionally talented throughout his high school years and was a solid contributor throughout his collegiate career at Purdue. As we all know, the Saints love players with high Relative Athletic Scores, or more specifically those who have good physical attributes and are extremely athletically gifted, which Horvath was scoring a 9.83 out of a possible 10.00 in RAS.

Fullback is most definitely a position of need, as the Saints always like to keep one on the roster for 3rd and short or 4th and short situations. In recent years there was Adam Prentice and Alex Armah, with Prentice still remaining with the Saints. Prentice has had a rough go of things in recent games, having a fumble, dropped pass, and slow blocking plan in the span of seven days, which caused him to lose favor with Saints fans relatively quickly.

The addition of Horvath this March shows that there will most definitely be competition for the spot, and it could be an intriguing battle of longevity with the team in Prentice versus athletic prowess in Horvath. But don’t overlook Taysom Hill’s ability to disrupt that competition, too.

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Sean Payton praises reliability of fullback Michael Burton

“It’s a really good strength to have as a player — for the coaches — when you know exactly what you’re getting,” Sean Payton said.

Following the release of veteran quarterback Russell Wilson earlier this offseason, the two remaining Denver Broncos players with the most experience in the NFL are fullback Michael Burton and defensive lineman Angelo Blackson (both are entering their 10th seasons).

Burton, 32, is the oldest player on Denver’s 90-man offseason roster. He has spent time with six teams and won a Super Bowl, but Burton does not have a glamourous role. Used primarily as a blocker on offense, Burton played just 18% of the team’s offensive snaps last fall. (He also played 63% of the snaps on special teams.)

It might not be a flashy role, but it’s an important role in coach Sean Payton’s setup. Last month, Payton praised Burton as one of the team’s “glue guys,” and the coach gave a lengthy explanation of how the fullback has managed to have such a long career in the NFL.

“There’s a reason he has played this long,” Payton said on June 4. “He understands who he is. Generally speaking, the players that play past eight to 10 years in this league have talent, but they also know who they are. You take a guy like Aaron Glenn — and I’m dating myself — Aaron Glenn got drafted very early by the Jets as a corner. He was an elite corner, and then eventually, he probably was the [No.] 2 corner, and then he played another eight years as the nickel corner. There was never a time in his career where he didn’t know where he was at in that stage of his career. The challenge for some players that maybe don’t have as good a grasp as to where they are, it’s harder for them to play as longer because they don’t agree with the same role or vision.

“‘Burt’ knows exactly where he’s at. I think he’s one of those guys that when you’re game planning, there are certain things that you may or may not want to do with a certain player. So if we’re doing it with Mike, we know exactly what we’re getting, and we feel like he can do it. It’s a really good strength to have as a player — for the coaches — when you know exactly what you’re getting and you know exactly what you’re not getting. It’s easy to define his role in the kicking game or on offense. He’s super passionate.”

Burton is a team-first player, willing to do the dirty work on offense and special teams to help the club succeed — and to keep his job. Anyone who spends a decade in the NFL clearly did something right, and Payton appreciates the fullback’s reliability.

Entering his second season in Denver and third year with Payton, Burton will continue to play his role with no quibbles or objections. And that’s what makes him a coach’s favorite.

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Countdown to Kickoff: Adam Prentice is Saints Player of Day 46

Countdown to Kickoff: Adam Prentice is Saints Player of Day 46. He must bounce back in a big way to hold onto his starting job at fullback

There are only 46 days to go until the season kicks off for the New Orleans Saints. This means the Saints’ player of the day is fullback Adam Prentice. The fullback position isn’t a glamorous one, but they serve an important role in the offense.

  • Name (Age): Adam Prentice (27)
  • Position: Fullback
  • Height, weight: 6-foot-0, 245 pounds
  • Relative Athletic Score: 5.66
  • 2024 salary cap hit: $1,130,000
  • College: South Carolina, Colorado State
  • Drafted: Undrafted in 2021 (Denver Broncos)
  • NFL experience: 4th year

After going undrafted in 2021, Prentice ended up signing with the Denver Broncos. The Broncos waived him that same year, and the Saints claimed him off waivers. This is where Prentice has been ever since. He recently signed a one-year, $1,130,000 contract to return to the team in March.

This past season he had just two carries for 12 yards while catching two passes for another dozen yards, but he had an untimely fumble and a bad drop. Prentice ended the 2023 campaign with a 38.1 Pro Football Focus player grade. He is going to compete with Zander Horvath, who signed with the Saints in free agency, to be the team’s fullback this season.

But both of them could be sidelined by Taysom Hill if the versatile playmaker can execute the same assignments while wearing all of his other hats. Prentice needs to bounce back in a big way to hold onto his starting job.

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Broncos roster series: No. 45, TE/FB Nate Adkins

After serving as a rotational TE/H-back for the Broncos last season, Nate Adkins enters Year 2 in Denver seeking a bigger role.

Broncos Wire’s 90-man offseason roster series continues today with a look at second-year tight end/fullback Nate Adkins, No. 45.

During the offseason, teammates can share jersey numbers if they play on opposite sides of the ball. This summer, Adkins will share No. 45 with defensive back Omar Brown.

Before the Broncos: Adkins (6-3, 252 pounds) spent four seasons at East Tennessee State, hauling in 73 receptions for 749 yards and four touchdowns in 43 games with college football’s Buccaneers. He then transferred to South Carolina ahead of the 2022 season and went on to total 13 receptions for 168 yards. The versatile tight end was also a key player on special teams for the Gamecocks.

Broncos tenure: Denver signed Adkins as an undrafted free agent last spring. Playing in somewhat of a TE/FB hybrid role, Adkins dressed for 10 games last season, earning one start. He caught four passes for 22 yards as a rookie while primarily serving as a blocker on offense (60 snaps).

Chances to make the 53-man roster: Likely. Adkins played 97 snaps on special teams last season while providing depth at TE and FB as an H-back. He seems poised to serve a similar role in 2024.

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Broncos roster series: No. 20, FB Michael Burton

Entering his second season with the Broncos, fullback Michael Burton is poised to play a big role on special teams once again.

Broncos Wire’s 90-man offseason roster series continues today with a look at ninth-year fullback Michael Burton, No. 20.

Before the Broncos: Burton (6-0, 247 pounds) entered the league as a fifth-round pick out of Rutgers with the Detroit Lions in 2015. He spent two seasons in Detroit before being waived in 2017. Burton then spent two years with the Chicago Bears. He went to training camp with the New Orleans Saints in 2019 but failed to make their 53-man roster.

Burton then spent one year with the now-Washington Commanders before returning to New Orleans and spending the 2020 season with the Saints. He then played for the Kansas City Chiefs from 2021-2022, helping them win Super Bowl LVII. Used primarily as a blocker, Burton has rushed 35 times for 71 yards and one touchdown in his career. He also has 21 receptions for 131 yards and one score on his resume.

Broncos tenure: Denver signed Burton to a one-year contract last spring. After serving as the team’s fullback and a key special teams player in 2023, Burton re-signed this spring on another one-year deal.

Chances to make the 53-man roster: Near lock. Unless the Broncos plan to convert tight end/fullback Nate Adkins to a full-time FB role, Burton’s job seems to be safe for another year. He is the only true FB on the roster ahead of training camp.

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Dan Campbell lists some exotic options for the Lions fullback spot

Dan Campbell lists some exotic options for the Lions fullback spot, including DT Alim McNeill

The Detroit Lions do not have a fullback on the roster. The days of Jason Cabinda are but a distant memory. However, the team will still use the fullback position as a small part of the offense.

Head coach Dan Campbell was asked about the fullback position before Wednesday’s minicamp session in Allen Park. Campbell noted the team will still use the fullback “when it makes sense” for the offense. That primarily happens to “get a specific look” from the defense, though Campbell did not elaborate on the detail.

Without an actual fullback on the roster and with none of the current running backs really fitting the bill for the role, where will the Lions turn when the situation calls for a fullback? Campbell laid out some interesting options.

Last year, linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez got some offensive reps at fullback. He did well, too, enough that he was the first name Campbell listed as an option for when the Lions will deploy a fullback.

After an allusion to the “stable of tight ends”–without directly naming any of them–Campbell then brought up a name that got the media room buzzing:

Alim McNeill.

As in, 315-pound defensive tackle Alim McNeill, one of the team’s strongest players but not one noted for his offense. Campbell noted that “we’ve talked a lot about it” with McNeill and that he’s open to the idea if the situation calls for it. Campbell added that McNeill’s defensive responsibilities might keep him from being available to handle FB reps at times.

McNeill did get some offensive touches back in high school. His bio at North Carolina State indicates McNeill scored 40 career touchdowns at Sanderson HS in North Carolina as a short-yardage specialist.

Who was the best player to wear No. 40 for the Broncos?

Who was the best player to ever wear jersey No. 40 for the Broncos? Al Carmichael and Juwan Thompson face off in our poll.

We’ve reached No. 40 in our list of the best players to wear each jersey number for the Denver Broncos, and this number requires a vote.

Juwan Thompson joined the Broncos as an undrafted free agent out of Duke in 2014. He went on to spend three seasons in Denver, splitting time between running back and fullback. Thompson appeared in 38 games with the Broncos, rushing for 346 yards and four touchdowns while adding 10 receptions for 76 receiving yards.

Thompson was inactive when Denver won Super Bowl 50, but he had 24 touches during the regular season in 2015 and he received a Super Bowl ring as a member of the active roster.

Another candidate is Al Carmichael, who started his professional career with the Green Bay Packers before joining the Broncos in 1960. Playing in Denver’s first-ever season, he scored the first touchdown in AFL history.

Carmichael played two seasons with the Broncos. In 16 games, he rushed for 235 yards and two touchdowns while adding 37 receptions for 639 yards and five more scores. The halfback also totaled 891 yards on kickoff returns and 159 yards on punt returns.

Despite playing 22 fewer games, Carmichael had more all-purpose yards (1,924) and more touchdowns (seven) than Thompson (422; four). Thompson was part of a Super Bowl-winning team, though, and he at least deserves an honorable mention.

Who do you think was the best player to ever wear jersey No. 40 in Denver? Vote in our poll below!

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Mike Anderson was the best player to wear No. 38 for the Broncos

Mike Anderson’s 3,822 rushing yards rank fifth on the Broncos’ all-time list and his 36 rushing touchdowns rank fourth.

Mike Anderson was the best player to ever wear jersey No. 38 for the Denver Broncos.

Anderson spent four years in the United States Marine Corps followed by two years of junior college and by two more seasons at Utah. He was 27 years old when the Broncos picked him in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL draft.

Anderson made an instant impact, rushing for 1,487 yards and 15 touchdowns and winning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in his first season. Mike Shanahan, Denver’s coach at the time, later moved Anderson to fullback.

Anderson was moved back to running back in 2005 and he rushed for 1,014 yards and 12 touchdowns at age 32. He went on to play two more seasons with the Baltimore Ravens before retiring in 2008.

In six years (one season was missed due to injury) with the Broncos, Anderson rushed for 3,822 yards and 36 touchdowns while adding 79 receptions for 647 yards and five scores. He ranks fifth in franchise history in rushing yards and fourth in rushing touchdowns.

Broncos Wire gives a Mile High Salute to Mike Anderson, the best player to ever wear No. 38 in Denver.

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