Detroit Lions defensive tackle Andre Fluellen will likely be in a battle for a spot on the roster whenever training camp opens. The Lions' depth at defensive tackle is outstanding, and it's possible Fluellen may have to play his way onto the 53-man squad.
If Fluellen does in fact have to battle for a roster spot, it sounds like he will be well prepared. This offseason he has been attending kung fu classes to help with his training and help with his moves on the defensive line.
"A guy who coached me before, he calls it the power circle," Fluellen said. "Our defensive line coach (Kris Kocurek) calls it your inside number. The Wing Chun Sifu, he calls it your centerline. You can't let anybody invade the centerline, so at all cost, you've got to either use your hands or use your body to turn to either defeat the hands or get around the hands.
"That's pretty much really what's going on (on the defensive line). It's just trying to defeat the hands and get into the other person's center."
It is very interesting to read about how Fluellen stumbled upon kung fu in the first place and how he has been using it, so make sure to read Dave Birkett's full feature on this story.