Interior Line Development

Rookie Andre Fluellen Finding Help and Camaraderie Amongst D-Line Vets
By Chrissie Wywrot
Detroitlions.com
June 18, 2008



ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- While it isn’t necessarily labeled as a mentor-pupil relationship, Chuck Darby and Andre Fluellen are connected in many ways.

Darby, an eighth-year veteran, has been successful as a nose tackle in the Cover 2 system. He is 6-0, 297 pounds, and carries a big punch with the strength of getting off the line of scrimmage.

Fluellen, a rookie out of Florida State, has played the three-technique – or undertackle position – throughout his collegiate career. He is 6-2, 296 pounds and also has the strength of getting off the line of scrimmage.

“When I look at all the younger players, I most definitely want them to have a long, bright future in the NFL,” said Darby. “Just looking at them and all the talent that they have, all they need are small things to help them out and get even better and better each and every day to go out.”

EXPERIENCE vs. A NEW START
Darby and Fluellen are on opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to NFL experience, but both are embarking on their first season in Detroit.

Darby is the projected starter at nose tackle while Fluellen will be learning both interior line positions so he will be able to back them up if necessary.

“One thing about this defense: it’s real tough when you’ve got to play the three-technique and the nose,” said Darby. “Because the three-technique, you’ve got a little time to gather; the nose, it happens real fast.


“That’s going to be the big thing for him making that transition from college to the NFL – playing two positions: D-tackle and nose guard. But I most definitely know he can do it. He has great hands, great quickness and leverage. That’s going to help out a whole lot.”

The biggest difference between the nose tackle and the undertackle is the position off the line of scrimmage. The nose tackle – Darby’s position – plays right up against the center. That means that once the ball is snapped, he has immediate contact.

The undertackle – Cory Redding’s position – plays off the line a little bit, giving him more approach time.

The two positions are different, so Fluellen will have a challenge when it comes to learning them both but – as Darby cited – his skill set will work to his advantage.

“What they drafted me for is getting off the ball; explosion,” said Fluellen. “That’s what I do and a lot of times I can get a little out of control, so that’s what Coach Marinelli and Coach (Joe) Cullen are trying to control (with) me so I can get off, make plays and things like that.”

THE D-LINE DYNAMIC
The two men Fluellen is learning under are two strong leaders within the defensive line position group.


Darby has not only spent seven seasons in the league, but he has spent five of those under Marinelli while in Tampa Bay. He has also started on two Super Bowl teams, winning a ring with the 2002 Buccaneers.

Redding has played on the interior line for two seasons and is a strong leader within the Lions’ locker room. He has a fiery dynamic and will give all he’s got each and every play, presenting a strong player to emulate.

“(What I have gotten from them so far is to) just relax,” said Fluellen. “Especially when I am practicing – I want to go at everything full-speed. They were like, ‘just calm it down and get your techniques right first and then once you get right then you can do it like that.’

“It’s kind of helped me relax and turn down a gear a little bit.”

As a first-year Lion, Darby sees how leadership is developing in this position group with a mix of strong veterans and new, young talent.

“I really think what I’ve learned looking at this group is that we’ve got a lot of leaders on this defense,” said Darby. “We’ve got a lot of players that lead by example. My job is to be a leader – I’ve been around a long time – but (I’m) just looking at these young players and how they are developing themselves to be great leaders also.

“But looking at everything as a whole, you’ve got Cory Redding who comes out day-in and day-out doing exactly what he’s supposed to do. He’s most definitely leading the pack and I’m right there adding a small touch to this great grind.”

SHADOWS OF TALENT
Defensive linemen under Marinelli experience the past.

Tackles watch film of Warren Sapp while ends watch film of Simeon Rice. Both played under Marinelli in Tampa and both flourished during that time.

“The way they played is the way that I want to play,” said Fluellen, “and I really feel that’s why Marinelli drafted me – because he kind of sees that in me.”

To watch film of Sapp is to see a man who never quit and was always giving it everything he had, regardless of the circumstances. It could have been gameday or a Friday afternoon after practice – Sapp gave it everything and that is what Marinelli looks for in his players today.

“I watched a lot of film of (Sapp) in college, too,” said Fluellen. “It’s crazy, some of the things he’s done. It’s not something nobody can do, but the way he perfected a lot of things is just kind of mind-blowing – the techniques and the perfectionist that he was.”

That feeling overtook Fluellen when he visited the Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio with his fellow rookies a couple weeks ago.

“It’s one thing to be a great NFL player and it’s another thing to be a Hall of Famer,” he said. “That’s all-time greatness and nobody can take that from you. It really made me feel like there is something bigger than just being a good football player in the NFL.

“We all need to strive to have a bust put in the NFL Hall of Fame. That’s what I took from it.”