CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- It's time for the Carolina Panthers to unleash their secret weapon on the Baltimore Ravens.

Richie "The Mauler" Brockel.

Brockel is a tight end/fullback who, at 6-foot-1 and 255 pounds, is one of the toughest players on the roster. He practices and plays with an attitude. You could see it best during training camp when he consistently handled the team's top linebackers in one-on-one drills.

Could Richie Brockel find a role similar to the one occupied by Brad Hoover? Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

Carolina's running game needs an attitude, particularly if it's not going to unleash quarterback Cam Newton.

What better player to take a chance on, particularly with Jonathan Stewart (sprained knee) likely out, Mike Tolbert (fractured leg) on short-term injured reserve and DeAngelo Williams nursing a hamstring injury that has kept him out of the last two games.

The Panthers could rely on undrafted rookie Darrin Reaves, but my vote goes to Brockel.

"I'm ready,'' the former Boise State player said.

Don't laugh. Just check out your Carolina media guide and look for the name Brad Hoover.

Late in the 2000 season, the Carolina backfield was decimated by injuries to Tshimanga Biakabatuka and William Floyd heading into a Monday night game against Green Bay.

In stepped Hoover, a 6-0, 245-pound fullback who had been signed as an undrafted rookie out of Western Carolina. A kid considered too slow to play in the NFL, he basically was the last hope at running back.

He carried 24 times for 117 yards and caught three passes for 41 yards as the Panthers shocked Brett Favre and the Packers 31-14.

Brockel's rushing résumé heading into Baltimore isn't as good as Hoover's. Since carrying three times for 12 yards as a rookie in 2011, he has one carry for 1 yard.

He's caught only four passes for 25 yards.

But what defines Brockel is toughness and determination. He rides his bicycle to the stadium on most days instead of driving. To supplement his income, he spent part of his offseason doing income taxes for an accounting firm.

"Richie is a jack of all trades,'' coach Ron Rivera said during camp. "He does the dirty work. There's a toughness about Richie too that I like that helps transfer over to his teammates.''

Again, the running game needs that.

"Running the football in the NFL is all about attitude,'' Brockel said. "You've got to have it in your head you're going to win on every play. When you have the ball in your hands you've got to have the attitude you're not going to get taken down.

"It starts up front and goes all the way back to the running backs. If they all have that mindset then that's when you run the ball effectively.''

The Panthers haven't run effectively. In two of their three games they fell short of 100 yards, something they did in only two of 16 games last season.

Their 72.3 yards rushing per game ranks 29th in the league and is more than 50 yards less than a year ago. According to ESPN Stats & Information, their 3.2 yards per rush is the second-lowest average through the first three games in team history.

Williams will be a boost unless he suffers a setback between now and Sunday. He brings, as Newton said, confidence to a unit with a lot of new players.

But Williams' strength is getting to the corner. Brockel is a straight-ahead bruiser.

"Without a doubt, let Richie run the ball,'' tight end Ed Dickson said.

Rivera doesn't sound convinced. While he agrees Brockel can do some of same the things as Tolbert -- protect the quarterback, lead block and catch out of the backfield -- "he's not as nimble of a runner as Mike.''

The Panthers don't need nimble. They need positive yards.

"I can go straight ahead, I can cut back and I can find the hole,'' Brockel said.

Enough to match what Hoover did on MNF in 2000?

"It would be a sight to be seen,'' Brockel said. "If it comes to that, it could probably end up happening.''