Fullback is far from a sexy position, and perhaps even a dying breed. The New York Giants' Pat Ricard isn't just an exception to the norm — he's a unicorn.
In today's NFL, most teams don't roster a dedicated fullback. The ones that actively get utilized are almost exclusively blockers, too, unless you're San Francisco 49ers All-Pro Kyle Juszczyk. Ricard is no different, yet the Giants have found creative ways to weaponize him, and it's paying dividends.
Even without the ball in his hands, Ricard has proven to be a legitimate difference-maker in his first campaign in New York. The proof is in the pudding, considering the club is 4-0 in games he logs at least 45 percent of its offensive snaps (h/t the New York Daily News' Pat Leonard).
Frankly, however, Ricard's presence goes far beyond wins and losses. The six-time Pro Bowler isn't personally showing up in the stat sheet, though he's quietly making a significant impact on the box score.
Pat Ricard is quietly changing the equation for the Giants' offense
The Giants' offensive success rate jumps from 44.5 percent with Ricard off the field to 46.2 percent when he's on the gridiron. That may not sound like much, but it's the difference between being ranked 18th and 24th in that category. In a league where the margins are razor-thin, he's given the NFC East leaders a hidden advantage.
New York is deploying the 6-foot-3, 300-pound Ricard in heavier packages. More specifically, 21 (two running backs, one tight end, two wide receivers) and 22 personnel (two RBs, two TEs, one WR). Those alignments create mismatches and, perhaps more importantly, help establish a downhill power run game.
It's hardly a coincidence that the Giants' most productive and efficient rushing outputs this season came in the two contests Ricard was most involved in. He overwhelms defenders and paves running lanes with sheer physicality and strength. His size and role basically make him an extension of the offensive line.
First, the G-Men gashed the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1, posting 165 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Their 27-21 overtime upset victory over the Houston Texans was driven by a collective 34-188-4 rushing line. Ricard's snap share was north of 50 percent in both matches.
Head coach John Harbaugh recruited several players from his previous stint with the Baltimore Ravens to join him in New York. Other than standout tight end Isaiah Likely, Ricard has arguably been the most notable reunion. They've all made meaningful contributions, though, albeit to varying degrees.
John Harbaugh's ex-Ravens free agency spree has been a catalyst for the Giants
Likely is inside the top five at his position in receptions (41), receiving yards (395) and touchdowns (five) through seven appearances this year. Giants stud punter Jordan Stout, formerly of the Ravens, leads the league in yards per punt (51.6). Safety Ar'Darius Washington has been a useful rotation piece who has shown he can make a spot start when called upon.
Getting the band back together hardly ever works. Familiar faces can often do more harm than good because they're a crutch. Coaches turn to them for short-term gains rather than developing young talent or addressing needs with the long haul in mind.
Needless to say, Ricard isn't the only one from Harbaugh's Baltimore days whose fingerprints are all over New York's turnaround. The ex-Ravens aren't just putting up numbers or making splash plays; they're also stewards of the new culture Big Blue is building.
Note: Advanced metrics courtesy of Fantasy Points' data suite 2.0 ($).
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