Lions Legends -Cory Schlesinger

 
  Once upon a time in the long long ago there was a position called Fullback in the NFL. These beast were diffrent from anyone else. They loved collisions, blood, broken bones and violence. It wasn't about carrying the ball it was about blocking for the man who did. Some Fullbacks got these carrys others didn't but they all had one thing in common they hit HARD! This is what has made Peyton Hillis so popular he is one of the few left of this breed. Vonta Leech is the blocker a running back loves ask Arian Foster. At one time the Detroit Lions had that very man. Corey was not right in the head and he didn't mind a little blood. Boy did he love to hit. For all the records Barry Sanders set and all the success he helped bring the team. Cory was there to help make the hole. What is a fullback? Well it's not technically Jerome Felton who is just a big back. A true fullback is a hitter first and a runner second. A middle linebacker in the backfield. They don't make them like this anymore. Like a 67 Camaro Cory Schlesinger is a Muscle Classic from Detroit.

   Schlesinger was a two-time all-state selection at Linebacker at Columbus High in Columbus, Nebraska, leading the team in tackles as a junior and senior. He also played fullback as a senior, rushing for 1,514 yards and 23 touchdowns. He was named the Nebraska Defensive Player of the Year as a prep senior. Corey was also a wrestling state champion twice during his prep days. Schlesinger joined the Nebraska team and was a two year starter. His Junior season he was the 5th leading rusher on his team with 48 carries for 193 yards and a touchdown. In 1994 Cory was give All Big Eight honorable mentions. Schlesinger scored 2 touchdowns in the 1995 Orange Bowl. He secured Nebraskas win over the Miami Hurricanes and secured Tom Osbornes first national championship as head coach of Nebraska.

  In 1995 the Detroit Lions picked Cory Schlesinger with there 6th round pick. He was used very little as a rookie while the Lions were bringing in a 3 wideout offense. His first two years revolved mostly around playing on special teams. In 1996 he led the team with 13 special teams stops. In 1997 Cory split time at full back with Tommy Vardell and was aging the teams star on special teams. Schlesinger was part of the Lions jumbo package on goal line situations and shared the field with Vardell. In 1999 Cory was named the starting full back and continued to make a diffrence on special teams. Schlesinger was also named to the All-Madden team that year.

  2001 the Lions named Marty Mornhinweg as head coach and he switched the team to the west coast offense. The Lions had moved away from the power running game. In 2001 Cory had a career high in rushing, receptions, touchdowns and yards. 2002 Cory Schlesinger  blocked for running back James Stewart and was named a Pro Bowl alternate to Mike Alstott. 2003 his teammates voted him offensive MVP and was again named the alternate to Mike Alstott. 2004 Cory blocked for rookie Kevin Jones who went on to become the 3rd  Lion rookie to surpass the 1,000 yard mark. Again was a Pro Bowl alternate. 2005  seen Cory hampered by a fibula injury. 2006 Cory played his 174th game and tied him at 7th with Lions all time games played. With the hiring of Mike Martz Corey hit free agency and the Lions never attempted to retain him. Martz wide open offense and little use for a fullback left Cory out to dry. Schlesinger was signed by Miami to block for Ronnie Brown but was released at the end of camp losing out to the rookie.

Cory Schlesinger and his family still live in Allen Park Michigan. He teaches computer design and drafting at Allen Park High School. No question the end of Schlesingers career came to a sad and abrupt end as he built his own legend in Detroit. Needless to say the Martz offense in Detroit failed horribly but Cory will always be remembered as a tough guy who wasn't afraid to get physical. A blue collar guy in a blue collar town it's hard not to fall in love with that.