Patriots agree to terms with FB Danny Vitale

[slash83]

Hopefully by the end of the day we have Vitale Wolfe and a offensive signing

I’m hoping for D.Wolfe

 

[Hammer of Thor]

I recall him being a favorite of the draft forum back in 2016, if that helps.....

 

[jah]

So maybe BB isn't that high on last year's rookie FB from Germany, Johnson?, or now sees him as depth for Vitale with Devlin done (which I think he is...done)

Never hurts to hedge your bets considering Johnson is basically at no cost to us.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I’m hoping for D.Wolfe

Perfect for the edge.

 

[ashley]

Were probably going to be a run team 1st next year, so improving the o-line and getting a competent fullback will help us.

 

[Bill Lee]

Good, as long as we don't sign **** Vitale.

 

[Kdo5]

Young. Good blocker. We really need a fb to make this run offense work

A QB and competent running back would also help.

 

[mcmurtry86]

A QB and competent running back would also help.

A couple TE and WR also. Some LB help as well

 

[VJCPatriot]

Strangely enough the Pats are one of the few teams in the NFL who need a fullback. As we've seen, Michel gets blown up if he doesn't play with a good fulback lead blocking since he doesn't exhibit the elusiveness to make the first guy miss. Good signing to help the run game.

 

[Family]

Could he be used as a third TE?

 

[Patsgofor4]

Never hurts to hedge your bets considering Johnson is basically at no cost to us.

According to Belichick himself, Johnson made incredible strides during training camp and early in the season but he is still a football novice. Vitale has been playing football his whole life and was an excellent all-around back in college, so you’re really comparing apples to oranges.

I think this is the type of acquisition dovetails with BB and co. wanting to move forward with a more mobile quarterback, in terms of being less predictable on offense and making the defense defend “every blade of grass”, as they say. BB and JMD probably think that Vitale has been underutilized as a pass catching weapon. If you put him in the I-formation with Michel (whom I am not ready to give up) or Harris, the defense has to respect his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield on play action. He is not James White, for sure, but he’s not purely a FB or a short yardage back either. On occasion you could even put him on occasion you could even put him as a single back on passing down initially as a pass protector who can then shed his man and slip into the flat.

 

[Vatahala]

As a mustache owner I'm glad no has made a porn star reference yet.

 

[jah]

As a mustache owner I'm glad no has made a porn star reference yet.

Brandon Spikes

 

[Kontradiction]

I like this pick-up. Versatile enough to give Stidham (or whoever the hell plays QB for this team this year) and outlet to check down if the play breaks down, can help in pass pro, and is a good run blocker. He isn’t Develin, but Develin is likely done for anyway.

 

[Patsgofor4]

 

[jah]

According to Belichick himself, Johnson made incredible strides during training camp and early in the season but he is still a football novice. Vitale has been playing football his whole life and was an excellent all-around back in college, so you’re really comparing apples to oranges.

I think this is the type of acquisition dovetails with BB and co. wanting to move forward with a more mobile quarterback, in terms of being less predictable on offense and making the defense defend “every blade of grass”, as they say. BB and JMD probably think that Vitale has been underutilized as a pass catching weapon. If you put him in the I-formation with Michel (whom I am not ready to give up) or Harris, the defense has to respect his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield on play action. He is not James White, for sure, but he’s not purely a FB or a short yardage back either. On occasion you could even put him on occasion you could even put him as a single back on passing down initially as a pass protector who can then shed his man and slip into the flat.

Definitely all true. Vitale would be our presumptive FB on the 53 (55 now?) while Johnson continues to develop. I still see Johnson as redundant with Vitale considering Vitale can still block, but Vitale provides a lot of elements Johnson may never.

I think we could have a slightly lesser Juszczyk in this signing, which is very exciting for fans of a team that basically telegraphed whether they were running or passing on any given play for the past few years.

 

[Uptown]

Love the signing! Hate it for Develin.

 

[notex]

How is he at blocking? highlight tape was mostly just pass catching (which is great)

 

[ctpatsfan77]

As a mustache owner I'm glad no has made a porn star reference yet.

That thing on Vitale's face needs to go.

 

[Hammer of Thor]

That thing on Vitale's face needs to go.