FAYETTEVILLE — Football trends like fashion.
What’s hot becomes what’s not only to resurface in some fashion as hot or hotter.
Take fullback, please, said offensive innovators like Bobby Petrino in the 1990s and early 2000s.
Back then, when Petrino was coordinating offenses at Louisville, Auburn and in NFL offenses and served as the head coach at Louisville, it seemed like the traditional I-formation fullback gathered dust like a museum’s musket when it came to serving as an offensive weapon.
“There was a time with our offense we were all one-back,” said Petrino, who is in his fourth season as Arkansas’ coach.
Then something new brought back something old.
“Dom Capers started that zone blitzing phase,” Petrino said of the veteran NFL defensive coordinator and former NFL head coach, “and everyone else started following it.”
That led offensive coordinators to relearn increasing situations where two backs are better than one.
“To run the ball against that, you have to have another back in the backfield,” Petrino said. “It really helps our offense, gives you more balance and allows you to protect the quarterback better at times. So it’s a comfort zone at times to put two running backs in the backfield.”
Not only a comfort zone, but often the end zone.
Arkansas running back Knile Davis admits much of the credit for his emergence last year, when he had 1,322 yards rushing with 13touchdowns, goes to fullback Van Stumon clearing his path.
It also helped clear Stumon’s path to an NFL free agent deal with the St. Louis Rams.
Stumon’s spring practice absence was obvious to Davis and fellow running backs Ronnie Wingo and Dennis Johnson.
That’s why junior college transfer fullback Kiero Small instantly became their most popular new kid on the block after his arrival over the summer.
“I know Knile, Ronnie and Dennis have spent a lot of time with him,” Arkansas offensive coordinator Garrick McGee said. “He is important to those guys.”
He’s increasingly important, given how the stocky 5-10, 255-pound Baltimore native has performed in the Razorbacks’ preseason practices so far.
“I have been impressed with Kiero,” McGee said. “He has not made many mental mistakes.”
Petrino likes that his tailbacks like his fullback, because he likes him, too.
“I like a lead blocker, and I think our running backs like a lead blocker,” Petrino said. “I am excited about Kiero. He gives us a little more of a thump as a lead blocker and opens some holes for those tailbacks that are so talented. He will add a lot to our offense as far as toughness goes.”
Small lacks the height some covet against tall pass-rushers, but he does have leverage and the means to use it.
“He’s very strong, and he’s quick,” Petrino said.
And apparently very smart and very versatile.
“I have been impressed with how quick a learner he is,” Petrino said. “The other thing about Kiero is he can catch the ball, and we’ll look at him as a short-yardage runner. His high school tape running the ball was very impressive.
“He’s a talented young man who I think will add a lot to our offense.”
Sports, Pages 14 on 08/10/2011