Mike Sellers became a cult hero of sorts in 2005, when he was the 284-pound bear of a fullback with a nose for the end zone. He scored eight touchdowns on just 13 touches to help the Washington Redskins reach the playoffs for the first time in five years.
The next two seasons, his points went down, but his touches went up. Sellers handled the ball 73 times in 2006 and 2007, but all that potential glory disappeared this season under new coach Jim Zorn. At midseason, Sellers has one carry and two catches.
“It’s the nature of what we’re doing right now,” said Zorn, who’s generally dismissive when asked about Sellers carrying in goal-line and short-yardage situations. “There will be a time when there’s a surprise here or there, but he’s the lead blocker.”
Sellers is certainly getting that job done. Clinton Portis has followed Sellers through holes for 944 yards, 260 more than any other back in the league. If Portis tops 120 yards for a sixth straight game Monday night against Pittsburgh, he will tie Hall of Famers Earl Campbell and Eric Dickerson for the longest such streak in NFL history.
Portis said he appreciates having the burly Sellers clearing the way.
“It’s fierce to see a man 285, 290 [pounds] running through a linebacker 230, 240 [pounds],” Portis said. “You can’t sustain that contact for a whole game. It’s only a matter of time before you start getting out of the way.”
Quarterback Jason Campbell said it’s not just Sellers’ big body that makes him effective - it’s also the way he uses his head, in a manner of speaking.
“Anybody’s who got a head as big as Mike’s, he could probably open two holes,” Campbell joked. “I always call him the extra lineman. He’s a big, physical guy. He can beat on [defenders]. You see Mike running through the hole, I’m pretty sure the first thing you look at is his head and try to figure out how you’re going to get out of the way.”
Sellers endures the teasing about his oversize noggin with equanimity.
“This big head kept me in the league this long, so I’m going to keep using this big head,” said the 33-year-old, who’s in his ninth season and also played five years in the Canadian Football League after two at Walla Walla (Wash.) Community College.
Sellers doesn’t get a big head when talking about the success of Portis and the running game, noting that the team’s five veteran offensive linemen are healthy for the first time since early 2006.
“To have those consistent 120-yard games is great, but we’ve always been able to run the ball,” Sellers said. “It’s no secret: All our linemen are healthy. They put eight in the box, and we’ve still been able to run the ball. That’s a credit to our line because they get movement. I’m the guy on the bottom of the totem pole.”
At least when it comes to touches among the nine veteran backs and receivers.
“Deep down, I’d like to run the ball a little more, but I’m a fullback in this offense, and the fullback is predicated on pretty much just blocking,” Sellers said.
Seattle’s fullback averaged 54 touches during Zorn’s seven seasons coaching the Seahawks’ quarterbacks. But running backs coach Stump Mitchell, who held the same job with Seattle, said Mack Strong, the Seahawks’ fullback until last year, also served as the third-down back until the team reached the red zone. There, Shaun Alexander, now with the Redskins, claimed the role.
“He would love to run the ball,” Zorn said of Sellers. “We don’t let him. He would love to be more involved in the passing game. We don’t let him. It takes a lot of self-discipline and a lot of pride in doing the things he’s asked to do.”
Which Sellers admitted is easier with the Redskins riding high at 6-2.
“I was lucky enough that [former assistant head coach Al] Saunders and [former coach Joe] Gibbs liked the big backs and they gave me a few chances,” he said. “As long as we keep winning, I can’t complain. When we run the ball, it’s a direct reflection of what I do.”
Although he doesn’t envision Sellers’ role changing, Mitchell said he does see Sellers finishing the same way Strong did in 2005 and 2006: NFC Pro Bowl fullback.
“Mike understands,” Mitchell said. “He’s a team player. He’ll end up in Hawaii.”
Please read our comment policy before commenting.