Cleveland Browns Draft Success #7: Lawrence Vickers

by Chris Pokorny on Apr 21, 2011 6:30 PM EDT

In 2006, the Cleveland Browns drafted a fullback named Lawrence Vickers in the sixth round of the draft. The team already had veteran Terrelle Smith on the roster, so the decision to take Vickers seemed like a move for the future. When he was drafted, I don't remember the overall consensus on him, but I recall that I thought he was supposed to be more of a "fast fullback" -- a guy who could carry the football for some tough yards -- rather than a blocking fullback.

Vickers' first season as a fullback did not go well thanks to some controversial plays he was involved in. For some reason, we would insert him into the game on 3rd-and-1 and run either a fullback pitch or an option pass for Vickers to throw. Smith was released before the 2007 season though, meaning the job was Vickers'. We haven't had to look for a new fullback since.

In his first season paired with veteran running back Jamal Lewis, Vickers helped pave the way for 1,304 yard, 9 touchdown effort. In the following years, he helped lead the way for unknowns like Jerome Harrison and Peyton Hillis. The Browns might be considered a low-level team around the league the past several years, but one constant has been our running game. The arrival of a guy like Joe Thomas helps that too, but the fact is that Vickers is as good of a blocking fullback as we could ask for. He does what is asked of him, and he is not known as an a**hole like Le'Ron McClain.

The team faces a decision on Vickers once the lockout ends. Let's hope they make the only move that is smart -- keeping Vickers locked up and allowing him to continue paving the way for Hillis, Montario Hardesty, and whoever else he ends up blocking for as a member of the Browns.

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Comments

OT, but the quality of the front page articles lately have been excellent IMO.
Kudos to Chris, Brownsyup (the ‘Late Round Gold’ series, etc.) and rufio.

Winning is a habit. Unfortunately, so is losing. -- Vince Lombardi

by burntorangeandbrown on Apr 21, 2011 9:27 PM EDT reply actions

I have to concur. Great work guys.

In theory there is no difference between theory and practice.
In practice there is. -- Yogi Berra

by JustPlainBrowns on Apr 21, 2011 9:36 PM EDT up reply actions

This. I may not have been commenting much, but I’ve been reading every article. Good work guys.

by StuckInPa on Apr 21, 2011 9:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed

by Bernie19Kosar on Apr 22, 2011 1:43 AM EDT up reply actions

yeah i dont comment alot either, but I read every single article and they have been great lately!!

by BrutalMovement on Apr 22, 2011 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Thanks Phil

by Bernie19Kosar on Apr 22, 2011 1:43 AM EDT reply actions

Another pat on the back for you guys. Good work.

I’ll be all kinds of angry if we let Vickers go because he can’t catch like an “ideal” WCO fullback. Sadly, I think that’s likely. Vickers has been more fun to watch than almost any other single player on this team for the last 3 years.

by Legoman0721 on Apr 22, 2011 2:28 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

I love Vickers’ game. The Black and Gold could use a guy like him.

I have not yet begun to procrastinate.

by NYSteelersFan4 on Apr 22, 2011 10:29 AM EDT reply actions

This made me throw up.

by Bernie19Kosar on Apr 22, 2011 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions

yeah, a lot, like projectile vomiting. what a terrible thought.

Resident Tim Couch Apologist.

by Dawg Nuts on Apr 22, 2011 5:13 PM EDT up reply actions

new keyboard and monitor

by Villeslgr on Apr 22, 2011 8:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, he´s a good blocking fullback. Regarding whether he´ll stay however, I think an outspoken commitment to the I-Formation rather than the single back would help. He and Hillis could make quite a name for themselves if featured consistently, an every down situation would be the open sesame regarding regular visits in the end zone.

by mooncamping on Apr 22, 2011 1:36 PM EDT reply actions

We should see some more I form this season. It’s just logical.

My dog is a badass. His name is Kosar.

by Brownie's Year on Apr 22, 2011 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m not surprised you want him to stay. Your tattoo of his face on your back would seem silly if he left.

Resident Tim Couch Apologist.

by Dawg Nuts on Apr 22, 2011 5:16 PM EDT up reply actions

And here I though his back tattoo was of Steinbach’s ass.

Evil wins again, but Truth prevails where Good fails.

by North Coast Flea on Apr 22, 2011 6:30 PM EDT up reply actions

no, that one’s on his ass.

Resident Tim Couch Apologist.

by Dawg Nuts on Apr 22, 2011 9:33 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

An ass tat on your ass?

Is it like a rubbing on the whole canvas or is just kind of a small one in a corner somewhere?

Head explodes.

by Villeslgr on Apr 22, 2011 9:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Maybe it’s like Colbert’s painting of him standing by a painting of him standing by a painting of him… Only with asses.

Evil wins again, but Truth prevails where Good fails.

by North Coast Flea on Apr 22, 2011 9:54 PM EDT up reply actions

or like Steven Wright’s tattoo of his body, but 2 inches taller.

I teach good life choices. That’s why I almost didn’t graduate High School.
Intensive Purposes? I could care less...
your whole argument is a fallacy!

by bross09 on Apr 23, 2011 4:57 AM EDT up reply actions