SAN DIEGO – Bulk counteracts speed at some point.
The heaviest player likely is not the best in a 40-yard dash.
But it’s a potent mix when quickness interacts with muscle.
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But it’s troubling to define him as such. He rushed for almost seven yards a carry as Coastal Carolina’s primary tailback in 2007. Bridge back to his high school days in Douglasville, Ga., and you’ll find a physical force that never came off the field.
He’s since dropped defense, but his reckless abandon on special teams makes him a three-position player.
“I love it,” Tolbert said. “I would play defense if they wanted me to.”
He spent the first two full days of training camp as the team’s primary running back, getting several carries during team periods and catching the ball out of the backfield.
“He’s exclusively a tailback right now,” Head Coach Norv Turner said. “Obviously that will change when Ryan (Mathews) gets here.
“(Tolbert) keeps his shoulder level low. He’s got good running instincts. We kind of made him a fullback and he’s done a great job with it, but we’re going to give him the opportunity to carry the ball a little bit.”
His size and downhill style add a dimension to the offense with several different types of backs. Tolbert feels his versatility gives him credibility with his teammates and coaches but doesn’t have to tote the football to be happy.
“Each position is different on its own and that makes my job a little harder, but I’m always up for the challenge,” he said. “Tailback is more running and seeing where you’re going. Fullback is just pounding at times. Special teams is always looking out for your side, keeping your eyes open. The three positions are definitely different, but I wouldn’t say it’s too much to handle.”
He punctuated that remark minutes earlier. First he sprinted downfield during a special teams drill, pausing for a moment to laugh with one of the coaches on the sideline. Then he scuttled to a team period, where he snatched the first handoff and launched up the middle. As the linemen moved to an adjacent field, he lined up wide during 7-on-7s and caught a pass.
“It’s a good sign that they have faith in me to take over when (Mathews) is not here, but hopefully we can get him signed soon so he can get this good work and I can get back to doing what I do, acting crazy on special teams and playing fullback, tailback, everything,” Tolbert said.
He likely will not get as many handoffs with the first offense by the end of camp as he’s enjoying now, but he doesn’t mind. He can rest assured that Turner has voiced confidence in him, but he sees training camp as an opportunity to retain his responsibilities.
“Just like when I was a rookie, there’s rookies here coming to take people’s jobs,” Tolbert said. “That was my mentality when I was here. I know somebody’s going after my job, whether it’s fullback, tailback or special teams. I’m going to go hard every play just like they are so I can prove to them that you’re not going to take my job without a fight.
“So I’m out here working just as hard as everybody else.”
