Fullback (gridiron football) Fullback (gridiron football) A fullback (FB) is a position in the offensive backfield in American and Canadian football, and is one of the two running back positions along with the halfback. Typically, fullbacks are larger than halfbacks and in most offensive schemes their duties are split between power running, pass catching, and blocking for both the quarterback and the other running back. Many great runners in the history of American football have been fullbacks, including Jim Brown, Marion Motley, Jim Taylor, Franco Harris, Larry Csonka, John Riggins, Christian Okoye, and Levi Jackson. However, many of these runners would retroactively be
Jim Bates (American football) letters in 4 sports before accepting an offer to play football at Tennessee. Bates was recently named to the school's athletic hall of fame. Bates currently resides in Florida. Jim Bates (American football) Jim Bates (born May 31, 1946) is a former American football coach in the National Football League, most recently serving as defensive coordinator of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He primarily ran a 4-3 scheme, using fast, undersized linebackers. Bates served as interim head coach for the Miami Dolphins during the 2004 NFL season. Bates' coaching career began as a graduate assistant with the Tennessee Volunteers in 1968.