Since the release of Mike Tolbert in February, the question of how exactly to fill the fullback role in Carolina has been left unanswered. While some (including myself) speculated that the Panthers might forego the traditional fullback entirely, both veteran Darrel Young and rookie Alex Armah are battling to show that they have the skills to contribute in this evolving offense and make the team. Both fullbacks have seen their responsibilities increase in the past few weeks of camp after hardly seeing the field during the first few practices (more than doubling their combined snaps from the first preseason game to the second), signifying that the fullback may be more of a part of the Panthers’ offense in 2017 than originally thought. Both Armah and Young were converted from the defensive side of the ball to become fullbacks, and while the two are competing for a roster spot, there’s no animosity between the two players. The competition is certainly heating up, with Armah scoring his first NFL touchdown on only four snaps and Young getting four carries while being on the field for more than a third of the game in Nashville.
I had a few minutes to speak quickly with Darrel Young after the Panthers 34-27 loss to the Titans; Young, who has been in the league since 2009 when he joined the Redskins as an undrafted free agent, and he was confident in his ability to add to the Panthers offense and playing well when his number is called. Below is the transcript.
Seems like you’ve been getting a little bit more work as camp goes forward, you’ve been out there on the field a lot, and now tonight you got a couple carries. Have the coaches talked to you about what they’re expecting your role to be?
No idea, I just go in whenever coach says to go in; honestly, I’m listed as a fullback, but if I can bring some other stuff to the table I’m going to try to, and show that I can handle different situations, in terms of two-minutes and stuff and not just be a fullback all the time.
How does it feel to see a guy like Alex Armah catch his first touchdown in the NFL? Are you guys close?
Yeah, you’ve got to be close; anytime you get a young guy like that who’s coming to the game, moved over from defense, kind of a similar story (to Young), starting on offense in the league, I started on defense in the league. He did a really good job of just going out there, his number was called, and he ran out there like it wasn’t new to him, so you like to see situations like that. I remember my first touchdown, it was on Monday night, his today, I told him to keep that ball. That’s special. What happens if they keep me, if they keep you; it’s football at the end of the day, it’s a business. You’re my friend, and we’ll go from there.
Do you still have that first touchdown ball?
Oh, yeah. It’s at home.
Where do you keep it?
At mom’s house. It’s on top of the TV.
That’s the spot for all the cool stuff, right on top of the TV, so everyone can see it. I know that you’ve been seeing some plays as a pass catcher, is that something you’ve been working on during camp?
Oh, I can catch the ball out of the backfield. I can’t say I’ve done it a lot in my career, but when they’ve thrown it, I’ve answered. I try to catch the ball and make some plays. Just try to show them that you can answer, [show them] another element besides special teams; hopefully they keep you around to do everything. Because you know Tolbert was moreso a running back than a fullback, but when he was asked to be a fullback, he was a damn good fullback. I’m just trying to fill in his shoes.
Is that something that you’ve thought about here with the Panthers? Trying to fill Tolbert’s shoes?
Absolutely. They’re going to run a lot of one-back personnel, they love the tight ends here, love three tight ends, three receivers, which is where the league is going to. But when your number’s called, third and one or goal line, you’ve got to answer. We got stopped last week, so it was good to be in there when Cameron [Artis-Payne] scored today from the goal line. That made me feel good about everything.
How are you enjoying your time in Charlotte so far?
I love it, my dad’s from here, so it’s like my home away from home.
Awesome. Thanks, Darrel.
