blacksaint

Karney knows job is clearing way for others

Wednesday, August 15, 2007
By Mike Triplett

JACKSON, MISS. -- Take one look at Mike Karney, and it's apparent he was born to be a fullback. He's built like a square, from his neck down to his legs. That makes it difficult to find clothes that fit, but easy to put a hurting on would-be tacklers.

Heading into his fourth NFL season, Karney, 5 feet 11, 258 pounds, talked about the unique aspects of his job, what it's like to block for Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush, and why he is the weirdest guy on the Saints' roster.

As he explained, it also takes a certain mental makeup to play the loneliest position in the NFL:

As a fullback, who do you identify with -- the linemen, the running backs or the tight ends?

That's a good question. It's tough being a fullback, because you're really on your own. You're really in your own boat. The linemen have five guys, and the running backs have their fun. But for me, it's tough. You've got to lean more toward the running backs, because those are the guys you're blocking for. But I try to do a good enough job to spread the love around.

So there's no weekly fullbacks dinner?

No, no fullbacks dinner. If there's a position-group dinner, I'm usually with the running backs. But like I said, fullback is a position of its own. It's a position that you do your job, nothing gets said. You don't do your job, you get yelled at. That's just how it is. For some teams, it's, 'Why do we even have that guy in there?' But . . I'm lucky here that Coach (Sean) Payton really believes in the fullback and stresses it.

It seems offensive linemen and running backs take the biggest poundings. You must get the worst of both worlds?

Definitely. Linemen's collisions are only about 2 or 3 yards apart, if that. When we're running the ball pretty often in some games, like last year the Philadelphia game, it's 10 yards hard and smash into somebody. That can do some damage. When we're in there and you're running the ball effectively, our position is probably getting the most banged up.

Can you accurately put into words what you feel like on Monday morning?

Shorter. I tell people that all the time, I get shorter every year. It's not too bad. I take good care of myself physically. The neck and traps are pretty sore. But for me, if they're sore, I feel pretty good. I know I got something done on Sunday.

You're kind of built like Ram Man from those old He-Man cartoons?

Yeah . . . I think if there's anybody that's built for the position, it's me.

Were you always built that way, or did the position change your shape?

I've been a husky kid my whole life. When I was little, playing youth football, I had to play up two age groups because of my weight and my stature. So I'm used to playing with guys older, bigger, stronger.

When you have to get fitted for a tux, what are some of the more interesting dimensions?

I don't know the numbers, but it's definitely the neck, and then the thighs. That's the hardest for me. Like when it comes to jeans, I go through a thousand pairs of jeans just trying to find the right pair that fits. Then when that one pair fits, I'll buy about 10 of them.

Scott Fujita called you the weirdest guy on the team. He said he saw you in the ice tub listening to Metallica after practice the other day. Is that a fair description?

Yeah, it's fair. Like I said, fullbacks, we're on our own. So we kind of beat to our own tune. I do some weird stuff at times. That was definitely one. He was laughing his butt off at that one. I was actually listening to the Rocky soundtrack. And I started doing some shadow boxing and stuff, which I've been doing a lot in the last year. I listen to that a lot, that and Gladiator. . . . And probably with Scott, I've always got to hit him pretty good in pregame warm-ups, on like an isolation play. I'll give him a little tap on the helmet and let him know I'm coming. Just one good hit, and then I'm ready to go. That's a pretty good ritual.

If you choose to be a fullback, are you giving up any shot at fame or glory?

Yeah. Luckily I learned it at a young age, that position is not a glorified position. As they say when I was in youth football, you're a glorified guard. You just get an opportunity to catch a ball here and there. Pretty much, you know when you're playing fullback you're just out there doing the dirty work.

You scored three touchdowns against Dallas last season. Was that the pinnacle of your celebrity?

Oh, that will be the pinnacle of my celebrity my whole career. I think winning the Super Bowl will be the only bigger thing. But definitely that was a special thing for me.

Have you campaigned for a few more games like that, more involvement in the offense?

You take it as it comes. As a fullback, you've got to be happy just to be a part of the offense. So you can't say 'Give me the damn ball' like Keyshawn Johnson. I mean, I ain't gonna be writing no book. So to all the fans out there, when it comes, I'll glady accept it again. I just don't know when that's going to be.

How did you start training with Lorenzo Neal in the offseason?

He's a friend of mine. I met him about four years ago, my senior year in college. And we struck up a friendship and spend our offseasons training together, getting ready for training camp. I met him in Carson, Calif., when the Chargers were holding their training camp there, his first year with the Chargers in '03. I just went up to him after practice and said, 'Hey, look man, I'm going to be a prospect next year. I'd love to sit down with you, chat with you, work out with you.' And he was like, 'Sure, I'd love to do that.' So he gave me his number.

Not a bad guy to learn from?

Doing what I do, and I know he'd been doing it for a long time, I thought, 'Why not talk to the best that's out there?' You know, he could have been, 'No, get out of here' or 'No, I don't do that.' But he was very open.

Anything he's taught you that stuck with you?

I think for me coming here as a rookie in '04, I didn't have a veteran guy to learn from, like some rookies coming in. Like Antonio Pittman's got Reggie or Deuce to look at. I didn't have that. So having him as an example to kind of lead me around, show me what he does, some tricks of the trade, that's helped out tremendously in my career.

Is there a big difference between blocking for Reggie or Deuce?

Yeah, there's a little bit of a difference. Deuce is your bigger halfback, more than a tailback. He is a guy that's in between the tackles, can get you those tough, hard-nosed yards, but he can still be a game-breaker. And Reggie's the type of guy you can put anywhere on the field, and he can still make plays. So when it comes to blocking for them, with Reggie, I'm like, 'Hey man, I'm just going to get on my guy. You just do what you do.' With Deuce, it's, 'Let's run right there, let's tell them we're running right there, and let's get the yards.' It makes it fun for me, but I've definitely got to be aware of who's on the field with me when we're running the ball.

saint4life
(504)

JOESAM2002

Ya gotta love this guy. He might not be the best but he's in the top 2!

pakowitz

link please..

JOESAM2002

Thought i'd help ole Blacksaint out since he's so good at finding storys for us.

NOLA.com: Everything New Orleans

P.S. Where you been Pak? Ain't heard from you in a coons age.

blacksaint

There ya' go Pak

NOLA.com: Everything New Orleans

JOESAM2002

LOLOLOLOLOLOL! To good.

papz

Good read. Now that everyone is more comfortable with the offense, I can see Payton giving him a few more touches this year. We have too many weapons!

saintsrule

Happy to know that he is there blocking for the people with the ball.

CAPTAIN

This guy amazes me everyday I read about him.
If anyone is humble on this team of superstars, it's Mike Karney.
This will be me next jersey. #44 Karney!

Anyone know any details on his contract (when it's up, and how much he gets)?