Baseball and football have one thing in common.
There's always a place for hitters.
Nick Bellore has made a position change with the Detroit Lions – to fullback from linebacker, where he played primarily his first seven pro seasons -- because his experience as a hitter on defense and special teams can fill a need on offense.
It's not an entirely new position for Bellore. He played fullback sparingly last season in addition to his regular duties at linebacker and special teams.
The switch to fullback is full-time basis this year. Head coach Matt Patricia has restored the fullback to the offense.
While just about everything is different between offense and defense – terminology for play-calling, formations among them – hitting and the mentality that goes with it is common to fullback and linebacker.
"It's the old hammer and the nail analogy that we hear a lot about, and you're thinking every time you go head to head with one of those guys," Bellore said. "It's really an attitude play most of the time, when the fullback and linebacker are hitting each other.
"It's kind of low man wins and all the clichés, which are kind of true in those scenarios. It's kind of a race to see who can hit the other one first, lower and harder. It's always a test of your manhood, but it's fun."
Adding the fullback is part of the overall plan of Patricia and general manager Bob Quinn to build a stronger, more physical team, with a specific goal to beef up the running game.
Quinn drafted fullback Nick Bawden of San Diego State to be part of that plan. Bawden sustained a season-ending knee injury in an offseason workout. Bellore already was getting work at fullback.
Bellore was a good fit to switch to fullback based on his work in his previous seven NFL seasons, not just his limited role last year when he played only 13 of the team's 1,041 offensive snap at fullback. He also had 106 snaps on defense -- with two starts at linebacker -- and 308 on special teams.
View photos from Day 6 of 2018 Detroit Lions Training Camp presented by Rocket Mortgage.
Detroit Lions cornerback Jamal Agnew (39) warms up before training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions safety Rolan Milligan (41) warms up before training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions safety Miles Killebrew (35) during training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions safety Tavon Wilson (32) during training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Theo Riddick (25) during training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Kerryon Johnson (33) during training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Theo Riddick (25) catches a pass during training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back LeGarrette Blount (29) takes the handoff during training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Steve Longa (54) competes against running back Kerryon Johnson (33) during a one-on-one pass rush drill at training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back LeGarrette Blount (29) during training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Jarrad Davis (40) competes against running back LeGarrette Blount (29) during a one-on-one pass rush drill at training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Jonathan Freeny (55) competes against running back Kerryon Johnson (33) during a one-on-one pass rush drill at training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back LeGarrette Blount (29) during training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Teo Redding (10) during training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Teo Redding (10) during training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Golden Tate (15) during training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tight end Luke Willson (82) during training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive back Quandre Diggs (28) breaks up a pass during training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver TJ Jones (13) during training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Chris Lacy (18) looks in a catch during training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Chris Lacy (18) during training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) pitches the ball during training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions punter Sam Martin (6) kicks off during training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Zach Zenner (34) during training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back LeGarrette Blount (29) during training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive players watch a snap during training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Steve Longa (54) wraps up running back Kerryon Johnson (33) in the backfield during training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Matt Cassel (8) during training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin (44) wraps up running back Zach Zenner (34) during training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Matt Cassel (8) during training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Teez Tabor (31) during training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback DeShawn Shead (26) breaks up a pass during training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Darius Slay (23) breaks up a pass during training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jake Rudock (14) during training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) at the line of scrimmage during training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Darius Slay (23) during training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia talks with defensive back Quandre Diggs (28) during training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Dwayne Washington (36) during training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Golden Tate (15) during training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Matt Cassel (8) during training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Taylor Decker (68) during training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
NFL referee Brad Allen during Detroit Lions training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions guard Joe Dahl (66) during training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. (11) blocks during training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Dwayne Washington (36) during training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions safety Glover Quin (27) during training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Matt Cassel (8) during training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kenny Golladay (19) during training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Theo Riddick (25) during training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Ameer Abdullah (21) during training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions fans watch training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. (11) during training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Dwayne Washington (36) during training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) talks with running back LeGarrette Blount (29) during training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Zach Zenner (34) during training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions guard Joe Dahl (66) during training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions huddle as a team following training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back LeGarrette Blount (29) signs autographs for fans following training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions kicker Matt Prater (5) signs autographs for fans after training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia signs autographs for fans after training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Darius Slay (23) signs autographs for fans after training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Fans react to getting an autograph from Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia after training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Fans react to getting an autograph from Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia after training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions fans get their Xbox game controller signed after training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia signs autographs for fans following training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Jarrad Davis (40) talks with former Lions linebacker Chris Spielman following training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back LeGarrette Blount (29) spends time with his family after training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back LeGarrette Blount (29) spends time with his family after training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
A fan tests out his vertical leap before training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
A fan tries out her long snapping skills before training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
A fan poses for a photo with the Detroit Lions Cheerleaders before training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
A young fan tests his strength before training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
A fan gets a balloon animal before training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
A young fan checks out her face paint reflection before training camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Bellore made the Jets' roster in 2011 as an undrafted free agent out of Central Michigan, where he was a tackling machine on the Chips' defense. He spent four seasons with the Jets and two with the 49ers before signing with the Lions last season as a free agent.
"He's just been a really good football player," Patricia said. "Whatever his role has been out on the football field, he's executed at a high level. He can really transition from the different sides of the ball.
"He's a smart guy and finds it and sees it and has good vision. He's just a good, solid football player. You always like guys like that. Tough guy. Smart guy – you try to find someplace on the field for him."
Practicing in pads in training camp has given Bellore a better feel for how the running game will benefit from two additions, veteran LeGarrette Blount and rookie Kerryon Johnson.
"I thought they look awesome," Bellore said. "Obviously, LeGarrette is a load. Kerryon can do it all. They're both kind of still in the infancy of learning the offense. We all are. Once we get it all hammered down, it should be great.
"We have to run the ball. That's every team in the league. It only makes your offense better. We just know we have to run the ball better."
