From The Associated Press

NAPA — Zack Crockett sat out a recent practice at Redwood Middle School because of lingering back pains, but it was more precautionary than anything else.

With a renewed emphasis from head coach Art Shell on a power running game, the Oakland Raiders aren’t willing to take chances with their veteran fullback.

Unlike in years past, though, Crockett can understand the wisdom of what the coaching staff is doing. After four years of being used primarily as a decoy and occasionally as a lead blocker, the fullback’s role in Oakland’s offense is taking on a significant new look this season.

“This is maybe one of the best positions you can be in,” said Crockett. “You’re going to run the ball, you’re going to back the ball and you’re going to block. I love it.”

While many other teams around the NFL have been slowly phasing the fullback out of their playbooks — instead opting to use an extra tight end or offensive lineman — Shell has made it a priority to do just the opposite.

It’s yet another reminder how Shell, a Hall of Fame offensive lineman, is reaching into his past to try to help the Oakland’s future.

When Shell played from 1968-82, fullbacks played a big role in the Raiders’ success. Marv Hubbard led the team in rushing 1971-74, while Mark van Eeghen did it from ’76-80.

Crockett and John Paul Foschi, the top two fullbacks on Oakland’s current roster, aren’t going to lead the team in rushing any time this season, but they will have a more prominent role in the offense crafted by Shell and coordinator Tom Walsh than they have in the past.

“I don’t know how many carries our fullback will get ... (but) he’ll get a few carries,” Shell said. “But he’s going to be a blocker and he’s going to be a pass receiver out of the backfield. We’ve always done that.

“Now, do you fit a square peg in a round hole? No, you don’t do that. If a guy can’t catch the ball you’re not going to force the issue. But we’ll put people in position to make those type of plays that we’re looking for.”

Oakland’s offense struggled to make many plays at all in 2005, beset by a running game that ranked 29th overall.

The Raiders averaged just 85.6 yards a game.

When Shell was hired in the offseason to replace the fired Norv Turner, he made fixing the running game a top priority.

Getting more production out of the fullback is part of that.

“One of the biggest differences is that we’ll be playing more,” Foschi said. “A lot of teams use two tight ends or have their H-back as their lead blocker, but here (the fullback) isn’t being phased out.”

When Jon Gruden was the Raiders’ coach from 1998-2001, Crockett was the team’s designated short-yardage specialist. In the four years since Gruden left, however, Crockett’s role diminished.

Now he’s is ready to go back to work.

“That’s the style that I love, it’s catered toward my game,” Crockett said.

“This is a copycat league. The game changes (based) on who’s winning. But eventually it goes back to old school football, hitting somebody in the mouth, mano y mano. That’s the type of football we’re going to play.”