Aside from offensive lineman, the fullback position is probably the most under appreciated position in the NFL. These guys are the ones that open up the holes that enable the spectacular runs we all love to see. With no further hesitation...
1. Rocky Bleier - "The Rock" was essentially a 3rd guard in the backfield...but god damn was he athletic. Rocky Blier relished every chance he had to lay a hat on a D-lineman, linebacker, someone in the secondary...really anyone that wasn't on his team. If you were around, Rock would put a hit on you. He made Franco Harris' life about as easy as it could be.
2. Lorenzo Neal - The true definition of a fullback. Has been the lead blocker for a 1,000 yard rusher every single year of his career and is the only fullback in the history of the NFL to be able to make that claim. Easily could be the best ever in this 10 best list, but you can't argue with Rocky Blier.
3. John Riggins - Blocking, running, receiving...Riggins did it all. Possibly one of the toughest sons of bitches to ever play in the league. I watched an NFL Flims episode where he played an entire game after he broke 3 fingers on his right hand on the first snap from scrimmage and broke his left thumb the next play. Didn't even come out on that series. Went to the sideline and came back in the game with some tape (whatever the hell that helped) on his hands and finished with 102 yards rushing, tons of great blocks, and 2 receptions (1 for a TD). If that doesn't speak volumes about what he was about I don't know what does. (Yes, he was a fullback. Gibbs played him as such in what really began the entire "spread" offense that we know today.)
4. Larry Csonka - Part of the undefeated 1972 Miami Dolphins team, Csonka was not only a huge part of the offense as the lead blocker for Jim Kick but carried the ball and was a good receiver out of the backfield.
5. Bronco Nagurski - If you've never seen him play, you should try to find some film. It was like watching a safety hit a defenseless WR everytime Bronco put a helmet on someone.
6. Daryl "Moose" Johnson - This Cowboy paved the way for Emmitt Smith throughout the 90's and was a staple on the NFL Pro-Bowl team. Besides, how can you not love a guy that had his own "MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSE" call every time he touched the ball in Big D?
7. Tom Rathman - Led the way for Roger Craig and Ricky Watters for years while SF battled Dallas for NFC superiority. Great blocking ability and hands out of the backfield.
8. Tony Richardson - Has led the way for great runners in Kansas City for years now. Great lead blocker and also very good in short yardage. Would have ranked him ahead of Rathman but his hands are not very good out of the backfield.
9. Don Nottingham - "The Human Bowling Ball" had a 1,000 yard season as a FULLBACK and loved hitting anything he saw. His nickname alone warrants a spot on the top 10 if his career didn't
10. Justin Griffith - Another current player. Very very talented with the ball as a runner and as a receiver out of the backfield. Established himself as the lead blocker to lead the Falcons to the best rushing attack in the NFL. Led the way for Dunn, Duckett, Norwood, Vick and has been shipped to Oakland where he will now probably fall off the face of the earth in this enemic offense. I hope Oakland doesn't ruin him because he has top 5 potential.
That is that. Hope that everyone finds it satisfactory
