Organized Team Activities (OTA's) start up again this week, but it's still the dead zone. I figure it's that time to do the oh-so-way-too-early roster breakdown, and handicap the positions. We'll go position by position on the football team and look at who's competing for a roster spot, who's a lock, and who's on the bubble.
First, we looked at the quarterbacks.
Now we'll move into the backfield and look at the fullbacks.
Likely on the Roster
Greg Jones: Greg Jones has battled injuries throughout his career in a Jaguars uniform, but when he's on the field he's one of the best fullbacks in the NFL. Jones excels at lead blocking and is excellent in pass protection. Jones signed a big contract a few seasons ago so he brings a pretty big cap number. He should be on the roster, at least this season, and the Jaguars hope he can stay healthy the whole season.
Montell Owens: Owens has been arguably a Pro-Bowl caliber special teams player for the Jaguars since he came into the NFL out of the University of Maine. He's done a nice job for spot duty when Greg Jones has been injured, but overall he's mostly a special teams type player. He struggles a bit in lead blocking and pass protection when he's in the game at fullback.
On the Bubble
Brock Bolen: Bolen has come with the Jaguars for a couple seasons and he was always a coach favorite. He's true to the old school type of fullback. Bolen is a lead blocker and excels in pass protection. Unless Greg Jones or Montell Owens get injured, he likely doesn't make the team, but he can contribute on special teams and the coaching staff loves him.
Fighting for the Roster Spot
Ben Stallings: Stallings is a "big boy" fullback (250lbs) and an undrafted rookie. It's unlikely Stallings makes the roster, but he's a big lead blocker who carried the ball for over 1,000 yards in 33 games at Lambuth, including 537 yards in his senior year in only nine games.