The NFL has changed over the last two decades, and nobody has witnessed the ramifications of those changes than the fullback. Once a staple of offenses everywhere, the NFL fullback has become a dying breed.
Gary Kubiak and the Denver Broncos are looking to change that.
Earlier in the Summer, the reigning champs selected Andy Janovich out of Nebraska with their sixth round pick, and on Thursday, he proved why.
On the first carry of his NFL career, Janovich took the ball from Trevor Siemian‘s hands, slithered through the offensive line, pushed pass a defender and trotted 28 yards to the house, giving the Broncos their first score of the 2016 season.
Just give it to the FULLBACK!
He's gone!Andy Janovich's 1st NFL carry?
27-yard TD run! #Kickoff2016 #Broncos https://t.co/pDPOV7uVMp— NFL (@NFL) September 9, 2016
The crowed went wild …
WELCOME TO THE NFL Andy Janovich! #Broncos
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) September 9, 2016
Janovich!!!
— Michael Jaycox (@MilkyMike) September 9, 2016
https://twitter.com/RonnieKRadio/status/774054844957024260
JANOVICH!!!!!!!!!!!!!
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) September 9, 2016
Ohhhhhhhhhh that's my guy!!!!!
Janovich!!
— Benny Bash🎧 (@TheBennyBash) September 9, 2016
But it didn’t stop there. Janovich wasn’t brought to Denver to play in a starring role — though it was a nice surprise. He came to Denver to do the dirty work, to bring back the old-school offense.
Janovich came to Denver to lay some wood. And he did just that.
Lining up in front of C.J. Anderson, Janovich helped lead the Broncos’ No. 1 rusher to 52 yards in the first half on nine carries (5.8 yards/carry), dropping several Panther defenders in the process.
Broncos bring in Janovich for first run of game, a nice first-down run by C.J. Anderson. Denver moving the ball. #CARvsDEN
— Jon Heath (@ByJonHeath) September 9, 2016
GREAT block by Janovich on Thomas Davis to spring C.J. Anderson.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) September 9, 2016
Fullback sometimes takes years to master, but Janovich looks like a 6-year veteran. Impressive.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) September 9, 2016
Welcome back to the offense Fullback. Janovich with nice seal block on CJ 28 yard gain. #CARvsDEN #Broncos @DenverChannel
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) September 9, 2016
Love having Janovich here
— Ryan Edwards (@redwardsradio) September 9, 2016
It’s been a long while since the spotlight was shone upon a fullback, but if Andy Janovich keeps playing like this, he’ll be well on his way towards making the fullback cool once again.