Talk » whereas Murray is often risk-adverse and ofte

SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- Ron Rivera cant imagine the Carolina Panthers without fullback like Mike Tolbert on the roster.The 5-foot-9, 250-pound Tolbert does a little of everything for the NFC champions -- blocks, catches passes, carries the ball and even contributes on special teams. So its hard for Rivera to fathom how nearly one-third of the league didnt even carry a fullback on their rosters last season.I couldnt tell you why teams dont, Rivera said. I think that is one of the missing links in the league to be able to have an effective running game, to have lead blockers and guys who can get dirty down inside.It has worked for Rivera and the Panthers.The Panthers have run for at least 100 yards in an NFL-best 32 straight games, including the playoffs. They were second in the league in rushing last season and first in scoring and reached the Super Bowl before losing 24-10 to the Denver Broncos.That success is why the Panthers didnt hesitate to re-sign the 30-year-old Tolbert to a two-year, $3.3 million contract after he became an unrestricted free agent. All things considered the Panthers might have gotten a bargain for a guy who has been an All-Pro two of the last three seasons.Then again, its not as though fullbacks are the Pokemon Go of the NFL.The Miami Dolphins are among the teams that dont employ a true fullback.Dolphins coach Adam Gase said after careful consideration the team decided they couldnt afford the luxury of having a specialty position like fullback on the roster.Where we kind of ran into the problem was that we liked staying on the ball, we didnt like changing personnel and we always liked the fact of having a guy that could play the fullback role (but) still be a guy that we could flex out plus play in-line, Gase said. Were really being a little pickier as far as we want a guy that can do it all, and then play special teams as well.We didnt want to get stuck in a spot where we had some experience with a fullback when we were first at Denver and he was getting like eight plays a game. We just felt like lets get the guy out there that is going to play 30 plays a game on just offense, plus special teams.The Jacksonville Jaguars stopped carrying a fullback prior to the 2015 season after they hired offensive coordinator Greg Olson to replace Jedd Fisch.Olsons offense simply doesnt use one, relying on backs to find holes and using more multiple tight end sets up front.We dont use one in any of our offensive sets so no sense in carrying one if were not going to use one, Jaguars general manager Dave Caldwell said.Some teams are reincorporating the fullback into the offense.The Philadelphia Eagles have gone back to using a traditional style running game following the departure of coach Chip Kelly. Theyve moved tight end Trey Burton to fullback.But the importance of the position has been undeniably downgraded.A lot of the game nowadays is predicated around the quarterback, said Tolbert. You try to develop him first as a passer, where as in the old days it was more about the run game and defense. Its not that way anymore.Tolbert collected 256 yards rushing and 154 yards receiving last season for the Panthers and scored four touchdowns.He also played on most of the special teams.Tolbert said the key to surviving is changing with the tide and remaining versatile, knowing well that the days of true smash-mouth fullbacks like Lorenzo Neal, Daryl Johnston and Tom Rathman may be over for good.You have to do special teams and pass protect and block out of the backfield and run routes, Tolbert said. You have to be able to do different things than in the past, more than just being a bang-your-head-against-the-wall fullback.---AP Sports writers Mark Long in Jacksonville, Florida, Steven Wine in Miami and Rob Maaddi in Philadelphia contributed to this report.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Peter Shorts Jersey Store . 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Both will be unrestricted free agents this summer. Were down to the final regular-season match of the year, and the stakes couldnt be higher. Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic will play in the championship match of the ATP World Tour Finals (ESPN2 & WatchESPN, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET) with the winner also snaring the year-end No. 1 ranking. This scenario has never happened.So who has the advantage? Hometown boy Murray or the much fresher Djokovic? Our writers weigh in.What does this match mean for mens tennis?Nic Atkin: Murray said it would be the perfect way to end the season, and I have to agree. While Im sure the crowd wouldnt have minded seeing Murray beat Nishikori in the final, any other matchup would have been a letdown.Peter Bodo: The match is a tribute to the quality and diversity of the field in mens tennis. It demonstrates how quickly the landscape can change, considering how far in front Djokovic was in the rankings as recently as June. It also validates the concept of a year-end final. Imagine the debate we would be having about the No. 1 ranking this year if the season had ended with the Paris Masters 1000. Now we will have a clear-cut answer.Greg Garber: This, as the U.S. president-elect would say, is huge. With Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal -- and Serena Williams, too -- all falling off their classic games, here are the two best-matched rivals in the game. One match for No. 1. It doesnt get any better than that.Johnette Howard: This is a rousing end to a mixed bag of a year in which Federer and Nadal were absent for long stretches. Even Djokovic -- the most reliable man in the game in recent years -- hit an unexpected trough. Given whats at stake here -- Murrays late-career chance to finally experience being No. 1 after years of never-say-die work versus Djokovics rallying to show he isnt giving up the top ranking without a fight -- this could be a memorable match.How will the pressure affect Murray?Atkin: There will be a lot of weight on Murrays shoulders. While he has overtaken Djokovic at the top of the rankings, he hasnt beaten the Serb on the way to No. 1 this year. Murray needs to show he is done playing second fiddle.Bodo: Murray has played his way into a zone where he probably wont be feeling much pressure at all, at least not the usual kind. Hes in a groove, playing lots of matches and winning them all, including two marathons this week. Murray will feel nervous, though, and he should. Nerves are just a sign that a players physical and neurological systems are going on high alert.Garber: I dont think pressure is the issue here. Against Raonic in the semifinals, Murray rose to the big occasion, again and again -- even saved a match point. I think the fact that hes played two three-hour-plus matches in a span of four days will be more telling.Howard: Playing in London agrees with Murray. He won Olympic gold there, not just Wimbledon. I think hell grouse, grimace, bluster and yell throughout. Hell play stretches of sensational tennis. But the match will not be over quickly. He will lose some games he shouldnt, especially if his legs are tired, and make it a nail-biteer.dddddddddddd.What does Djokovic need to do to maintain his dominance against Murray?Atkin: Djokovic doesnt need to change anything physically. He will be far fresher than Murray. Djokovic just needs to make sure he keeps his cool and doesnt get wound up by the mental distractions that have plagued him in the second half of 2016.Bodo: The main themes for Djokovic should be consistency and serve efficiency. Murray still has lapses, struggles with his form and gets frustrated. Those can be exploited. Murray is returning very well and very aggressively. Djokovic needs to ramp up the efficiency of his own service game the way Murray has his these past few months.Garber: Play his crazy, all-court game. He looked ridiculously dominant against Nishikori, especially returning serve. Djokovic has won 16 of his past 19 matches against Murray, something the Scot will have a hard time discounting as he prepares for this.Howard: I think the three-set format favors Djokovic. He has the potential to win points quicker. Hes the better shot-maker and bigger risk-taker, whereas Murray is often risk-adverse and often gets worse when more is at stake. Djokovic has arguably the best service-return game in history, too, so if Murrays serve is off at all, hell find trouble.Who needs this win more?Atkin: Murray, for sure. If he loses, then doubt will still be at the back of his mind going into next season that his best still isnt good enough to beat Djokovic when the Serb is playing his best.Bodo: Djokovic needs to win this more because the rumors that hes lost something are growing louder and louder, while the chorus for Murray is all positive. Hes finally hitting his stride. Nobody is going to think Murray has dropped a level as a player if he loses this, but that will be the takeaway for most people if Djokovic does. Its especially true in light of Djokovics outstanding record at the O2.Garber: Its pretty much of a wash, but Ill say Djokovic. Murray has had a wonderful run, winning 22 consecutive matches, which matches his career high. Hell head into 2017 with a lot of optimism, regardless of the result. Djokovic needs this one to get back on track.Howard: Murray. Hes had to soldier on in the greatest era of mens tennis ever. Hes always been the junior partner in the Big Four and has always remained determined to chase Djokovic, Federer and Nadal, who all have double-digit major title totals. Murray has to know he may not get another chance to climb this mountain and be No. 1 again. So if not now, then when?Prediction?Atkin: Andy Murray ... in 3 hours, 39 minutes.Bodo: This week Murray has played two of the three longest three-set ATP matches of the year, and hell go into the final barely 24 hours after finishing the longest of those. So what? Andy is a juggernaut; mind over matter leads him to win in three.Garber: After Saturdays results, Djokovic in two.Howard: Murray in an upset squeaker. Djokovic rips another shirt. ' ' '