Pats In Market For Fullback?

[Bring Back Antowain!]

This one came from patriotsblog.net:

With the departure of Heath Evans via free agency, one position the Patriots may look to address this April is fullback.

Looking at the board, Tony Fiammetta from Syracuse looks to be the best option available. He is very strong, and is an excellent blocker, both in the running and passing game. He is a true fullback, but can occasionally make a play receiving the ball out of the backfield. The Patriots could likely nab him with their compensatory pick in the 5th round. He also already held a private workout with the Patriots, so he is definitely on the Pats’ radar.

However, beyond that, another option is for the Patriots to find their new fullback via a rookie free agent. With the fullback position being relatively unheralded, there might be some nice options post-draft for the Patriots to look at.

A few options:

Branson Marquez, Central Arkansas: Will likely convert from TE to fullback. Good run blocker with good initial quickness. Could be a dangerous threat out of the backfield. Projection: FA

Brannan Southerland, Georgia: Good strength, and a willing blocker who drives his legs. Is effective as both a receiver and runner (could be very effective in short yardage). Coming off injury in 2008. Projection: 7th - FA

Frank Summers, UNLV: Can play fullback, h-back, and tailback. Is effective at short yardage, and has great receiving ability for the fullback position. Lacks ideal height. Projection: FA

David Johnson, Arkansas State: Fullback/h-back for is an excellent drive blocker and good receiver out of the backfield but lacks experience as a tradtional fullback in the I-formation. Projection: FA

Quinn Johnson, LSU: Thick frame, likes to make contact, has good experience as a true fullback. However, not a good receiver, and doesn’t follow through on blocks. Projection: 6-7

Conredge Collins, Pitt: The son of Patriots great Tony Collins, Conredge has experience as both a fullback and halfback. Effective as both a runner, receiver, and blocker, but not great at any one thing. Projection: 6-7

Asaph Schwapp, Notre Dame: Great strength, struggles with speed and agility. However, is a true blocking fullback who could potentially be developed on special teams as well. Projection: FA​

Interesting overview on the position.

What do you guys think? Will the Patriots look at fullback this draft?

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

What do you guys think? Will the Patriots look at fullback this draft?

Yes.

Some additional names to consider as UDFA:

Marcus Mailei (Weber State) Good receiver, devastating blocker, athletically challenged which may impact his Special Teams role.

Brock Bolen (Louisville) More of an offensive weapon, he should also work out well on Special Teams.

Jason Cook (Mississppi)

Eddie Williams (Idaho) A versatile TE in college, he doesn't have a lot of lead blocker experience, but flashes promise with additional strength training and some time with Coach Fears. He's an excellent receiver and Special Teams player.

Will Taufoou (California) A fundamentally sound FB.

Fui Vakapuna (BYU) Noted for his blocking in pass protection and lead blocking this past season, he got a lot of extra attention from Scouts at his Pro Day.

Bill Rentmeester (Wisconsin) Special Teams Ace

Kyle Bell (Colorado State) A bigger RB, he appears to have the frame for another 10 lbs.

Brandon Mason (Stoney Brook) Another big RB with the frame to add 10 lbs., he also returned kicks.

 

[MetalBleachers]

Fiammetta would fit the best for special teams as well due to his quickness. I'd love to see Frank "The Tank" Summers in camp as he's a bowling ball (he's 5-9, 240), but he's a hefty tailback more than a fullback (didn't block well during Texas v. Nation Game). Quinn Johnson also stood out as a blocker, but doesn't have the catching abilities as mentioned.

Intrigued by Taufoou, probably the best of the UDFA candidates.

 

[signbabybrady]

Not exactly FB but two guys I would be intrigued by if BB were to think they could fill the role.

TE James Casey....he is said to be able to play QB and FB but is more of an H-Back/TE.

or

RB Gartrell Johnson....This dudes legs are huge but I am not sure how much FB he has played.

 

[MetalBleachers]

Not exactly FB but two guys I would be intrigued by if BB were to think they could fill the role.

TE James Casey....he is said to be able to play QB and FB but is more of an H-Back/TE.

or

RB Gartrell Johnson....This dudes legs are huge but I am not sure how much FB he has played.

I like Johnson a lot (he absolutely killed Fresno State in the game I saw), but I've never seen him at FB. I'm wary of Casey after the David Thomas experiment and would rather draft a FB candidate later.

 

[mgteich]

If we don't want any the UFA's available, then we should be looking at the FB position. Green-Ellis is keeping the roster spot warm until he returns to the Practice Squad. This player should be able to block, receive and play special teams.

 

[satz]

The most important thing when we play jumbo packages at goal line BB uses his FB as the final blocker for the QB. He is the last line of blitz pickup against 250 and above ends.hosh is good for a run but for pure blocking when he has to swing to the other end incase to pickup a blitzer will not work.

So when throwing a Name please specify how confident are you him being their with brady and how he is in blitz pickup of LB and DE. I also would like Safety blitz pickup where some speed is involved.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

The kid from Army may not be available right away, but I think he projects as the best FB in this class.

 

[Mark Morse]

Don't overlook Brian Toal from BC. He is an excellent LB but doesn't have that prototypical size. He was BC's short yardage, inside the 10 TD maker. He was a 4 year starter for BC. Injuries curtaled his season last year (medical redshirt) and again this year (Broken leg). He would be a special teams demon and recently ran a 4.65 at the BC Pro Day. He was a 5 start prospect coming out of HS in New Jersey and was rated neck and neck with USC OLB Brian Cushing.

Don't underestimate this guy.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Don't overlook Brian Toal from BC. He is an excellent LB but doesn't have that prototypical size. He was BC's short yardage, inside the 10 TD maker. He was a 4 year starter for BC. Injuries curtaled his season last year (medical redshirt) and again this year (Broken leg). He would be a special teams demon and recently ran a 4.65 at the BC Pro Day. He was a 5 start prospect coming out of HS in New Jersey and was rated neck and neck with USC OLB Brian Cushing.

Don't underestimate this guy.

Does BB like Jersey guys?

 

[spacecrime]

The most important thing when we play jumbo packages at goal line BB uses his FB as the final blocker for the QB. He is the last line of blitz pickup against 250 and above ends.hosh is good for a run but for pure blocking when he has to swing to the other end incase to pickup a blitzer will not work.

Hochstein is used as FB in goal line situations and does well.

I don't know where you are getting your info on Hochstein used as a blitz pickup because I never saw Hochstein used when he was needed for a blitiz pickup. The only time he plays is when it is a short yardage goal line situation and they run the ball. Syemour played FB and so has Vrabel and in the old days, Henry Thomas and none of them were ever used where they had to pick up the blitz.

To answer the original poster's question, never try to guess what BB will do, but I will be flabbergasted if he uses a draft pick on a FB. If he wants one, it will be a vet like Evans, Centers, Edwards, etc

 

[dryheat44]

Does BB like Jersey guys?

He does if they can sing pop tunes and power ballads.

 

[Mogamedogz]

Does BB like Jersey guys?

Well... we know he likes Jersey women. -Bow-Chicka-Wow-Wow-

 

[signbabybrady]

The most important thing when we play jumbo packages at goal line BB uses his FB as the final blocker for the QB. He is the last line of blitz pickup against 250 and above ends.hosh is good for a run but for pure blocking when he has to swing to the other end incase to pickup a blitzer will not work.

So when throwing a Name please specify how confident are you him being their with brady and how he is in blitz pickup of LB and DE. I also would like Safety blitz pickup where some speed is involved.

as you point out Blitz pick up is important as it is Brady's ass on the line so I wouldn't really trust a rookie to do it right away which is why the names I threw out could do other things while learning the nuances like that. In the meantime most of our backs are good at blitz bickup. Or we get a veteran FB.

 

[WhiZa]

Don't overlook Brian Toal from BC. He is an excellent LB but doesn't have that prototypical size. He was BC's short yardage, inside the 10 TD maker. He was a 4 year starter for BC. Injuries curtaled his season last year (medical redshirt) and again this year (Broken leg). He would be a special teams demon and recently ran a 4.65 at the BC Pro Day. He was a 5 start prospect coming out of HS in New Jersey and was rated neck and neck with USC OLB Brian Cushing.

Don't underestimate this guy.

I just started looking at this guy and he seems very versatile, but lacking in the athletic ability department. (Yes he ran a 4.65, but he's only 228) I wouldn't might bringing him in as a UDFA, since he's right down the street, just to see what he can do.

 

[Bring Back Antowain!]

Hochstein is used as FB in goal line situations and does well.

I don't know where you are getting your info on Hochstein used as a blitz pickup because I never saw Hochstein used when he was needed for a blitiz pickup. The only time he plays is when it is a short yardage goal line situation and they run the ball. Syemour played FB and so has Vrabel and in the old days, Henry Thomas and none of them were ever used where they had to pick up the blitz.

To answer the original poster's question, never try to guess what BB will do, but I will be flabbergasted if he uses a draft pick on a FB. If he wants one, it will be a vet like Evans, Centers, Edwards, etc

Well yeah, you'd think that Belichick wouldn't use a draft pick on a fullback, but a lot of people suspected he'd never draft a linebacker in the first round and he did.

The Patriots have already held a private workout with Tony Fiammetta, so I'm sure they are assessing all options.

If a fullback happens to be the right choice some time during the draft, Belichick may look to take that player.