I guess we've decided to forget about the FB position. We have one guy who hasn't been very good and has one year of eligibility remaining.
Considering he was barely allowed to play last year, this move could have been made earlier. His career is probably over now.
I would say it is more of an indication of offensive philosophy. We'll be seeing a lot of 3 WR sets, multiple TE sets, as well as TE's being used as H-Backs in multiple TE formations. Plus, Fugate didn't see the field much last year so why not let him try to seize an opportunity at a position we lack depth at anyway.
Spring practices haven't started yet so whether it's done in January or February makes little difference. Timing played the biggest part: we missed on some LB prospects, CSS is probably just getting to fully evaluate this team and his defense now that recruiting priorities have wrapped up for the '12 class and saw an opportunity to improve the quality of depth at one of his defensive positions. I played football in college, position changes were usually announced between Jan-Mar. The priority was to get the change in before spring practices started, which they seem to have done here.
What I'm saying is, why not make this move last year since they clearly weren't going to be utilizing the fullback position and the guy is a reasonably gifted athlete?
This. The rise of H-backs has lessened the role of the traditional FB. I don't think that a team doesn't need a FB, but so many are now just putting an extra OL back there on goal line situations.
Halfway? Chaney didn't use him outside of Fall practice. And he liked what he saw then. It isn't like something changed with Fugate or something awesome occurred with the passing game unexpectedly.
Halfway through the season we were sans Justin Hunter. So at that point you'd think we might actually want a FB. But back in spring practice you'd expect the coaches were thinking we'd have the Bray/Hunter/Rogers show going all year and we should go ahead and rethink the FB stuff. I agree with IP that this should have been done sooner.
Bartholomew may be the worst player to start for an SEC team since Sleepy Robinson and it showed on every snap he played. If you look up liability in the dictionary it has an overhead shot of the I-formation with the word Bartholomew highlighted next to FB.