Unsung Hero Defies a Sign of the Times?

[Flugel]

One of the amazing stories of 2010 has obviously been the emergence of Peyton Hillis in Cleveland. He's been fun and there's finally a Cleveland Brown on the offensive side of the ball people all over the country want to add to their fantasy football rosters. HOWEVER, this thread isn't about Hillis. It's about the John Deere Tractor in front of him that answers to the name of Lawrence Vickers. Believe it or not, he's human and NOBODY is checking to make sure his safety is in tact when he's gotta get up a 5-10 yard head of steam and lower his shoulder into some very fast moving LBs and DEs.

 

Torry's Holts spoke of this last week when he did the commentating against the Panthers. As an ex-player he's well schooled into breaking down film to see why a play is working or not working. I thought it was terrific insight. Anyway, he said Carolina's defense had mentioned the thing that separates Vickers from a lot of other fullbacks in this league is that Vickers is so much quicker. Meaning? He gets to blocks on time unlike we saw so often with Tur-telle Smith at the wrong side of his career. When I watch a fullback that is supposed to be a lead blocker getting to his destination after all the pursuit has arrived - I wonder if that position is just an outdated thought. Today, I don't think such a thing. The reason? Vickers. It's a pretty cool story considering the kid from the Color-adoo Buffaloes never had to do much blocking in college.

 

Before Hillis arrived, I got the impression Vickers didn't really care if he stayed or strayed. When I'm watching games this season - I've never seen a blocking back in the pro game so excited about what his efforts cause. My only conclusion is Vickers firmly understands that he is justifying the need for the fullback position in today's game each and every time Hillis is plowing through 8-9 men in the box. More specifically, when the fullback duties are performed right - they are very much needed.

 

The refreshing thing about this season in comparison to most years since the return is that our GOOD players no longer have to dream about greener pastures elsewhere. Now they can understand they can beat teams like New Orleans and New England when they aren't ravaged by injuries. This being the case, the Browns are in the stage of transition where competitive has been accomplished. To go from competitive to winning consistently - they must shore up the depth in the next couple of offseasons. Injuries are always going to happen so we see the teams that have been drafting well for many years in succession doing the best when they are confronted with injuries. We've got 2 offseasons under the belt with the new regime. The Browns are not quite where they able to support the loss of the starting QB with 6 All Pros on defense confining an offense like Atlanta's to just 6 points in 60 minutes plus overtime yet. When Cleveland loses Fujita, McCoy, Cribbs, Pashos/Womack/Yates, Robaire - it's losing some winning ingredients. In spite of it all, they're playing hard for the staff they firmly believe in. I also think the staff is working pretty hard with the problem solves.

 

Next steps? I’m sure many here have repeatedly mentioned they'd like to see a pass rusher x-factor. The right side of the oline works at times (with Womack present) but it seems the patchwork types always leave us stranded with injuries and influx. To have a good reliable blocking chemistry - there has to be continuity. Meanwhile, almost anybody adoring the orange, brown and white would like to see the WR Corps and the Secondary shored up with playmakers. Believe it or not, one of the better defenses in fantasy football in recent weeks have been the Browns (much of that comes from the INTs of Ward & Haden as well as the turnovers the much maligned Abe Elam has caused). Building the empire is a work in progress; but isn't it getting a lot more fun than the type of football we gagged on in 2008? Games used to end shortly after the coin toss back then.

- Tom F. (James Harrison's forehead grew 5 inches in 2 years - who's kidding who with the payoffs behind closed doors? He's prolly getting all his fines back too)

[MudratDetector]

vickers has become the gold standard of fullbacks with his play this year. i hope that he's here for a while.

[choco]

In this day and age of stats and personal glory, he's a rare breed for sure. Blocking isn't a glorious job, but he takes so much pride in crushing people that he's actually happy in that role. Ironically....he gets noticed often cause he's such a dominating blocker. Love the guy and his passion.

[BROWNandORANGE]

It's really great to see a man who loves doing a "minor' job. We all know blocking is one of the key components to not only passing, but running the ball effectively. Blocking can make or break a play, and unfortunately, the main blockers, such as fullbacks or tight ends are overlooked by fans when all the touchdowns, first downs, and big plays we see, would be nonexistent without these players. I am glad Vickers is getting recognition and hope he keeps up the good work! Go Dawgs!

[36Bones]

Excellent post.

[calfoxwc]

THANKS for the TERRIFIC POST, Mr. Flugels ! I can see players like Vickers being a bit disheartened with oline woes or

qb's with no clue, or really nitwilly playcalling, etc.

 

But Hillis has inspired this entire team. And he credits Vickers and his offensive line. Without them, he says, he wouldn't gain a yard.

 

Champions are built with guys like a bunch of guys on this team now.

 

Vickers, Joe Thomas, Hillis, Cribbs, McCoy, Haden, T. J. Ward, GoCong, Mack... the list is long now.

 

Missed ya around here !

[jrb12711]

great post sir. I was at the Panthers game, and every time Hillis scored a touchdown vickers went crazy with him. He also took time to hype the crowd up too. I absolutely loved seeing that from a player like him. He's IMO the most unsung hero of this team. great player for sure.

[WRREBEL]

Vickers is a stud. Pay the man for sure. He is a throwback to sam gash type of a player. He is terrible catching the ball and can't run very good, but man can he block...

 

Great post!

[OrangeHelmet-UK]

Brilliant post!!!! Lawrence Vickers, one of the most underrated players on the Browns roster

[OrangeHelmet-UK]

THANKS for the TERRIFIC POST, Mr. Flugels ! I can see players like Vickers being a bit disheartened with oline woes or

qb's with no clue, or really nitwilly playcalling, etc.

 

But Hillis has inspired this entire team. And he credits Vickers and his offensive line. Without them, he says, he wouldn't gain a yard.

 

Champions are built with guys like a bunch of guys on this team now.

 

Vickers, Joe Thomas, Hillis, Cribbs, McCoy, Haden, T. J. Ward, GoCong, Mack... the list is long now.

 

Missed ya around here !

For the first time in years....we are moving in the right direction........................GO BROWNS!!!

[Richiswhere]

There has been alot of praise for what Vickers does on this board. You do realize this will be the 3rd time in the last 4 years that hes been the lead blocker for 1,000 yard rusher.

 

 

 

 

Unsung Hero Defies a Sign of the Times?

Not really sure what your thinking was on the title of you topic.

1. he no hero

2. hes not defying a sign of the times

in the last 7 years 11 of the 14 pro bowl FB have been nothing more than battering rams just like Vickers.

heck you can go back to the late 90's when Sam Gash made the pro bowl and never carried the ball.

 

 

[Riffer X]

One of the amazing stories of 2010 has obviously been the emergence of Peyton Hillis in Cleveland. He's been fun and there's finally a Cleveland Brown on the offensive side of the ball people all over the country want to add to their fantasy football rosters. HOWEVER, this thread isn't about Hillis. It's about the John Deere Tractor in front of him that answers to the name of Lawrence Vickers. Believe it or not, he's human and NOBODY is checking to make sure his safety is in tact when he's gotta get up a 5-10 yard head of steam and lower his shoulder into some very fast moving LBs and DEs.

 

Torry's Holts spoke of this last week when he did the commentating against the Panthers. As an ex-player he's well schooled into breaking down film to see why a play is working or not working. I thought it was terrific insight. Anyway, he said Carolina's defense had mentioned the thing that separates Vickers from a lot of other fullbacks in this league is that Vickers is so much quicker. Meaning? He gets to blocks on time unlike we saw so often with Tur-telle Smith at the wrong side of his career. When I watch a fullback that is supposed to be a lead blocker getting to his destination after all the pursuit has arrived - I wonder if that position is just an outdated thought. Today, I don't think such a thing. The reason? Vickers. It's a pretty cool story considering the kid from the Color-adoo Buffaloes never had to do much blocking in college.

 

Before Hillis arrived, I got the impression Vickers didn't really care if he stayed or strayed. When I'm watching games this season - I've never seen a blocking back in the pro game so excited about what his efforts cause. My only conclusion is Vickers firmly understands that he is justifying the need for the fullback position in today's game each and every time Hillis is plowing through 8-9 men in the box. More specifically, when the fullback duties are performed right - they are very much needed.

 

The refreshing thing about this season in comparison to most years since the return is that our GOOD players no longer have to dream about greener pastures elsewhere. Now they can understand they can beat teams like New Orleans and New England when they aren't ravaged by injuries. This being the case, the Browns are in the stage of transition where competitive has been accomplished. To go from competitive to winning consistently - they must shore up the depth in the next couple of offseasons. Injuries are always going to happen so we see the teams that have been drafting well for many years in succession doing the best when they are confronted with injuries. We've got 2 offseasons under the belt with the new regime. The Browns are not quite where they able to support the loss of the starting QB with 6 All Pros on defense confining an offense like Atlanta's to just 6 points in 60 minutes plus overtime yet. When Cleveland loses Fujita, McCoy, Cribbs, Pashos/Womack/Yates, Robaire - it's losing some winning ingredients. In spite of it all, they're playing hard for the staff they firmly believe in. I also think the staff is working pretty hard with the problem solves.

 

Next steps? I’m sure many here have repeatedly mentioned they'd like to see a pass rusher x-factor. The right side of the oline works at times (with Womack present) but it seems the patchwork types always leave us stranded with injuries and influx. To have a good reliable blocking chemistry - there has to be continuity. Meanwhile, almost anybody adoring the orange, brown and white would like to see the WR Corps and the Secondary shored up with playmakers. Believe it or not, one of the better defenses in fantasy football in recent weeks have been the Browns (much of that comes from the INTs of Ward & Haden as well as the turnovers the much maligned Abe Elam has caused). Building the empire is a work in progress; but isn't it getting a lot more fun than the type of football we gagged on in 2008? Games used to end shortly after the coin toss back then.

- Tom F. (James Harrison's forehead grew 5 inches in 2 years - who's kidding who with the payoffs behind closed doors? He's prolly getting all his fines back too)

 

Great stuff Flugs, Vickers is a heckuva FB. Thing that bothers me about him though, is he does have good hands and is pretty athletic, but has some big drops. The one in the NO game was huge, he would still be running. I think trying to catch swing passes from DumbAss for a few years gave him stone hands.