Polite has thrived in thankless position

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Polite has thrived in thankless position
By Omar Kelly | South Florida Sun-Sentinel
November 15, 2008
DAVIE - Fullback is one of football's most thankless jobs because the position usually serves as a glorified battering ram, opening holes for tailbacks or serving as the last line of defense for the quarterback.

One of the few moments of glory for a fullback comes in critical short-yardage carries. For two straight games the Dolphins have called on recently signed fullback Lousaka Polite to convert fourth-and-1 situations late in close contests. Both times, the five-year veteran has delivered.

"When they put you in that position the only thing you're thinking about is you better get it," said Polite, who has gained 8 yards on four carries and caught two passes for 17 yards in his four games with the Dolphins.

Since joining the team in mid-October, Polite has transformed himself from an injury fill-in into a reliable starter. And it doesn't appear he plans to return the starting spot to Casey Cramer, who was sidelined with an ankle injury but is now healthy.


"It's a blessing and that's the way I look at it," said Polite, who has played fullback since he was 9. "I've learned when you get the chance you've got to make the most of it. That's all you can ask for in this league."

What coach Tony Sparano likes most about Polite, who worked with Sparano for three seasons in Dallas (2004-06), is his awareness.

"When things happen fast, for Lou, they kind of happen slow. That's a good thing for a fullback because [the position's] a little bit of a trash collector out there," Sparano said. "All of a sudden something breaks down and he's got to make it right, and he does a good job
 
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