Although he doesn’t garner a lot of statistics or accolades, Rams starting FB James Hodgins is an integral part of the St. Louis Rams record setting offense.

Hodgins, 6-1, 270, is built for the position. In his first year as a full-time starter at fullback Hodgins developed into one of the NFL’s most powerful lead blockers.

“If you want to watch a clinic of a fullback as a lead blocker you watch James,” Rams head coach Mike Martz told the St. Louis Post Dispatch .

Hodgins helped pave the way in 2001 for NFL Offensive Player of the Year Marshall Faulk, who became the first player in NFL history to gain 2,000 yards from scrimmage in four consecutive seasons. Faulk also gained over 1,300 yards and scored an NFL leading 21 touchdowns.

"When I first got here I was just a pure power guy and just tried to blow people up every time," Hodgins told the St. Louis Post Dispatch . "But now I know how to get into a guy when I get my hands on him and try to control him and keep him out of the play.

"I've learned a lot of little tricks, and Marshall has helped me with that, like looking off linebackers and doing different things to shake them up and not let them key in on where we're going."

Last season Hodgins recorded two carries for five yards and caught four passes for 24 yards and one touchdown. Hodgins also rushed one time for three yards and collected two receptions for 12 yards with one touchdown in the postseason, as the Rams won the NFC Championship and advanced to Super Bowl XXXVI.

Hodgins played in 15 games in 2000 with two starts at fullback. He rushed one time for three yards and caught two passes for five yards, playing in a limited role on offense and on special teams. Hodgins also made 15 special teams tackles.

He was originally signed by the Rams as a rookie free agent 4/20/99. Hodgins was one of five rookie free agents to make the Rams opening day roster on the Super Bowl XXXIV Champion squad. He saw action in 15 games in a reserve role at fullback and on special teams and played in all three playoff contests. Hodgins rushed seven times for 10 yards and one touchdown in the regular season, and caught six passes for 35 yards and collected 10 special teams tackles.

Hodgins played four seasons at San Jose State. In his career he rushed 45 times for 626 yards and four touchdowns. In his senior season he moved from running back to the defensive side of the ball, where he played linebacker and on the defensive line. He gained 35 rushing yards on 12 attempts before making the move and finished second on team with three sacks and had 18 tackles on defense.

Hodgins led the Spartans in rushing yards (237) and rushing average (4.7) as a junior and had career highs in carries (70), rushing yards (326), receptions (16), and receiving yards (116) as a sophomore.

James was born on April 30, 1977, in San Jose, California. He attended Oak Grove High School in San Jose where he led the team in scoring in both his junior and senior seasons. Hodgins was also named the Most Valuable Offensive Back in the conference senior season. He is married to Stephanie and has one son, Isaiah.