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The idea of undersized rookie Tyrell Sutton playing fullback for the Carolina Panthers seemed a bit of a stretch three weeks ago, but not to one of his former youth coaches in Akron, Ohio.
Rayshon Dent, who remains a mentor and close friend to the Panthers' running back, recalled when Sutton was a tiny 8-year-old who didn't hesitate to tackle a man-sized 10-year-old quarterback named LeBron James during practices for the 1995 South Rangers pee wee team.
Yes, that's the same James who's now a 6-foot-8 superstar for the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers and who'll be in Charlotte Friday night for a game against the Bobcats.
“It was a sight to see,” said Dent. “There was many a time when Tyrell would lay a lick on LeBron in practice. He would hit him – hit him hard.”
Sutton estimates that he was about 3-foot-9 back then, when he doubled as a running back and linebacker, and that James was 6-1. However, a team photo provided to the Observer by Dent made those heights look somewhat exaggerated.
“That was back in my heyday,” said Sutton.
Now officially listed at 5-8, 213, Sutton has parlayed his one-week temp job as an emergency fullback against the New Orleans Saints into an expanded role as the Panthers' new kick returner and backfield option.
“I'll play any position they want on the field,” said Sutton. “It doesn't really matter to me.”
Sutton returned four kickoffs for a 26.5-yard average last Thursday against Miami and was in the offensive lineup on a field goal drive in the final three minutes. He caught passes of 7 and 11 yards for first downs on the possession.
“I'm very proud of myself and happy with the fact that they can trust me to go out there in such an important time of the game,” Sutton said.
The Panthers claimed him off waivers on Sept. 6 after the Green Bay Packers released him despite an excellent preseason. He was the NFL's fifth-leading rusher in exhibitions, gaining 191 yards on 40 carries.
His production was a continuation of his high school and college success.
Sutton is the state of Ohio's all-time leading prep rusher with 9,426 yards, including season and game highs of 3,241 and 505 yards, respectively.
In college, he became the No. 2 career rusher in Northwestern history with 3,886 yards despite missing a combined nine games due to injuries during his junior and senior seasons.
Sutton was invited to last February's NFL scouting combine, but his relatively slow 40-yard dash time of around 4.7 seconds kept him from getting drafted.
However, the Panthers, like the Packers in the preseason, have found that Sutton has the skills to play in the pros.
“There is timed speed and there is playing speed,” said Carolina running backs coach Jim Skipper. “If you can do both, great, but for sure you've got to be able to play fast – and he plays fast.
“He's smart, he's studious, and he's got good hands (and) good quickness.”
When Sutton joined the Panthers, they already looked loaded at the running back position with standouts DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, plus rookie Mike Goodson, a fourth-round draft pick.
Sutton was inactive for the first seven games until injuries at fullback -- a position he'd never played at any level -- gave him an opportunity on Nov. 8 at New Orleans.
With fullbacks Brad Hoover and Tony Fiammetta sidelined, plus tight end Dante Rosario, who sometimes lines up at fullback, the Panthers opted to try Sutton for a week rather than sign a free agent.
Sutton initially thought Skipper was joking about the assignment, but went on to handle the challenge better than almost anyone expected.
“We weren't shocked, but we were pleasantly surprised (about how) it turned out,” said Skipper. “He missed no assignments.
“We just asked him to go in there and make a block. He doesn't have to bury and pancake a guy every time, but you've got to keep (the defender) off the play, and he did his job.”
Sutton also displayed his running ability against the Saints, gaining 15 yards on three attempts.
In each of the two games since then, he's been active instead of Goodson, impressing teammates with his versatility and readiness.
“He's smart and he's tough and the game's not too big for him,” said quarterback Jake Delhomme. “It's a great find by our (front office) – a great, great find.
“It's hard to find guys like that, but when you do, those guys get a reputation and they end up sticking for a while.”
Wide receiver Steve Smith likened Sutton to long-time New England Patriots utility back Kevin Faulk.
“We have to keep him dressed because of the versatile roles he can play,” said Smith, who described Sutton as a “young, hungry player.”
Sutton began surprising his coaches and teammates way back when he first started playing with larger, older boys with the South Rangers in Akron.
When the '95 season began, Dent said he told Sutton he couldn't promise any playing time, but that Sutton soon was alternating at running back despite being the smallest player on the team.
“We were unstoppable,” said Sutton, who said James served as the same kind of orchestra conductor as a football quarterback as he does now in basketball.
“Don't let him get to the outside,” Sutton said of James' quarterbacking skills. “He could outrun you, and he could throw.”
Though they haven't remained in close contact, Sutton figures James remembers him.
Dent said he's sure of it, especially since Sutton's high school football team regularly beat James' team.
Sutton didn't know, however, that James and the Cavs would be in town for a game Friday night.
“I might have to try to get a ticket,” he said.
Charles Chandler: (704) 358-5123 and @CharlesChandler on Twitter.
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