![]() ![]() “Just getting the opportunity was big for me,” he said. Roob's 10 Eagles Observations: A glimpse into Nolan Smith's personalityĬain, who nearly made the Eagles out of camp last summer, spent the past few months with the Birmingham Stallions of the USFL and after catching 16 passes for 182 yards in eight regular-season games (along with a 91-yard kick return TD), he caught three touchdown passes from current Green Bay Packer Alex McGough in Birmingham’s 28-12 win over the Pittsburgh Stallions in the USFL Championship Game in Canton earlier this month.Ĭain caught four passes for 70 yards against Pittsburgh and was named the game’s MVP. “I just took that and ran with it and it brought me back here, so I’m definitely glad I did it.” Any time you put some good tape out there, you’re giving yourself a chance to get back to the NFL.' He wanted to get back into the league and he played in another league and got back here, and I asked him, ‘Bro, do pro scouts really watch what we do in other leagues?’ “Going into the USFL I had a lot of questions,” Cain said. Ward parlayed his AAF experience into another chance with the Eagles and wound up catching 71 passes for 673 yards and seven TDs over the 20 seasons. So he got in touch with former Eagles teammate Greg Ward, who revived his career in the spring of 2019 playing for the San Antonio Commanders in another minor league, the ill-fated Alliance of American Football. The USFL? Really? Would anybody be paying attention? If he played well, would NFL teams even notice? Would it be worth his time? Instead he seems to be focusing on becoming a key special teams contributor.When Deon Cain got the opportunity to play in the new USFL this past spring, he was skeptical. It is unlikely that Ripkowski would not have learned from that scenario. That’s the kind of mishap fans won’t soon forget, but players mature and learn from mistakes. During that miserable 44-21 loss against Atlanta in the NFC Championship last season, Falcons cornerback Jalen Collins stripped Ripkowski of the ball and recovered the fumble in the Falcons’ end zone. This is not to say he’s never slipped up. Just as importantly, much like his predecessors, he’s grown into the guy that epitomizes the Green Bay Packers. Ripkowski gives the offense an advantage the team needs, that edge, or the much needed upper hand. In terms of per play effectiveness, the Ripkowski, Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Davante Adams and Jeff Janis line has done exceedingly well to date. Hopefully Ripkowski will continue to provide consistency in the backfield this season, too. But while the fullback typically fills that blocking role, as opposed to a rushing or receiving one, Ripkowski has become known for his ability to not only carry the ball, but to continue for extra yards after contact. With Kuhn’s exit from the team, Ripkowski found a way to fill the veteran’s shoes. The Packers picked him up in the sixth round of the 2015 draft. Back then, he was a very efficient run blocker in one of the most effective offensive formations in the Big 12 in recent time, the Sooners “Belldozer” formation. Ripkowski impressed the scouts playing fullback for the Oklahoma Sooners. Hitting the opponent over and over and over again is a fullback’s bread and butter. Today, though, the fullback position is all about blocking. Using a fullback, as opposed to tight ends, means being able to make runs to either side of the line. Aaron Ripkowski: Continuing the Green Bay Packers Fullback Legacy Fullback Position, Aaron Ripkowski Style Presumably Ripkowski will be on the Packer roster again this season. More recently it was John Kuhn who served as Aaron Rodgers personal bodyguard for nine seasons before passing the torch to Ripkowski. Coach Mike McCarthy has made a point of keeping at least one (preferably two) fullback on the Packers’ roster. As a matter of fact, having a fullback that represents the heart of the team has become their “thing.” Historically, it’s been the likes of Ted Fritsch, Clark Hinkle, Jim Taylor, John Brockington, and William Henderson. The Green Bay Packers, though, love their fullbacks and stick them up on their very own pedestal. Gone are the days when every team had at least one of them to line up in an I-formation. Fewer and fewer NFL franchises actually employ a fullback. Perhaps it’s because he’s a dying breed, or rather, he’s playing a dying position. ![]()
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