Back in May, Detroit Lions fullback James Bryant didn't express much interest in catching or running the ball. He had an old-school mindset about the fullback position by saying, "I just want to come in here and block."
If Bryant wants to make the team, that mindset will have to change. Jim Schwartz recently talked about what he wants out of the fullback position, and it's pretty much the complete opposite of Bryant's stance on what exactly he wants to do in the offense.
"Will Heller lined up in the backfield an awful lot for us last year," Schwartz said. "We've done that an awful lot. I think the whole key is having players that can do a lot of different things. The days of having a fullback that can only be a lead blocker are sort of gone. The fullbacks around now are more multidimensional players."
Schwartz highlighted the Green Bay Packers' John Kuhn as the ideal fullback in today's NFL. Kuhn can catch the ball, run the ball and play special teams. To Schwartz, that is what he would like Bryant to bring to the offense. Of course, Bryant's chances of making the roster this season aren't great anyway, but down the road, if the Lions ever decide to carry a fullback on the 53-man roster, that fullback will have to be versatile and do more than just block.
Reminder: You can follow Pride of Detroit on Twitter and like us on Facebook.