Patriots agree to terms with FB Danny Vitale

[Chevy]

That’s an interesting addition, because he doesn’t fit their profile at all. He’s smaller but also way more athletic than Develin. His college receiving production hasn’t translated to the NFL, but the physical talent is there.

Patrick Pass type utility back?

 

[Bourne Again Christian]

Patrick Pass type utility back?

Without the terrible fumbles

 

[1960Pats]

Without the terrible fumbles

I don't remember him as a fumbler but it was a long time ago. I also have some bias because I met him a couple of times at a golf tourney. He's a very nice young man

 

[TinhWoodhead]

Good blocker. Has some athleticism and plays special teams. Packers fans thought he was underutilized as a receiver.

Develin's probably done.

son of a devel...

 

[Zuma]

Vitale was a reception machine for a Super Back / FB / TE in college with 135 receptions...Juszczyk had 125. That skill hasn’t been shown as much in the NFL for Vitale...unlike Juszczyk. I’m sure that will change to some degree now that he’s with the Pats.

 

[LuRkeR1978]

It's a fullback! With a knack!! For catching passes BABY!!!

(Oh, wrong Vitale...)

 

[DropKickFlutie]

We don't need a pass catching fullback. We literally need a team first run blocking FB. I don't want to hear Vitale calling himself a super back....

.

 

[Zuma]

We don't need a pass catching fullback. We literally need a team first run blocking FB. I don't want to hear Vitale calling himself a super back....

.

Danny Vitale.......Super Back

 

[DropKickFlutie]

The more I think about it the more I think Vitale does not make the team. Jacob Johnson is the true run blocking FB we need. Vitale is a self proclaimed superback who plays more HBack or moveTE. This competes with what Keene is doing. I don't see Vitale sticking with the team without a clear role. We do not need a poor run blocking FB who catches 10 passes next year.

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[Wozzy]

The more I think about it the more I think Vitale does not make the team. Jacob Johnson is the true run blocking FB we need. Vitale is a self proclaimed superback who plays more HBack or moveTE. This competes with what Keene is doing. I don't see Vitale sticking with the team without a clear role. We do not need a poor run blocking FB who catches 10 passes next year.

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Keene is 6'4" 253 pounds... he is a tightend, and the Patriots desperately need TE's (plural). I get that Virginia Tech used him in offbeat ways but that was more an extension of their offense, they are an option offense or a QB running offense that doesn't use a lot of traditional vertical routes. And BB specifically told Keene he needed to make adjustments to play TE for the Pats when they spoke.

Johnson looked decent blocking, but he only made the team because they had a practice squad exemption with him being an international player. He also only played for a month and got hurt, and FB is a notoriously tough position, a high impact position.

Vitale is a halfback with FB strength, a really good athlete, and he was one of the first free agents they went after. I'd say he's as close to a lock as possible assuming health. If we have good physical TE's blocking on the edges along with big physical WR's, you'll want a fast physical FB because all of our RB's are fast and quick but undersized, none of them will be confused with Corey Dillon or LeGarrette Blount. The quicker you can get to the hole and block it the better. I loved the Vitale signing.

 

[captain stone]

Patrick Pass type utility back?

I really, really hope not...Patrick Pass sucked.

 

[DropKickFlutie]

Keene is 6'4" 253 pounds... he is a tightend, the Patriots desperately need TE's (plural). I get that Virginia Tech used him in offbeat ways but that was more an extension of their offense, they are an option offense or a QB running offense that doesn't use a lot of traditional vertical routes. And BB specifically told Keene he needed to make adjustments to play TE for the Pats when they spoke.

Johnson looked decent blocking, but he only made the team because they had a practice squad exemption with him being an international player. He also only played for a month and got hurt, and FB is a notoriously tough position, a high impact position.

Vitale is a halfback with FB strength, a really good athlete, and he was one of the first free agents they went after. I'd say he's as close to a lock as possible assuming health. If we have good physical TE's blocking on the edges along with big physical WR's, you'll want a fast physical FB because all of our RB's are fast and quick but undersized, none of them will be confused with Corey Dillon or LeGarrette Blount. The quicker you can get to the hole and block it the better. I loved the Vitale signing.

Problem is Vitale isn't a blocking FB. He fancies himself a superback catching balls out of the backfield. No thanks.

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[Wozzy]

Problem is Vitale isn't a blocking FB. He fancies himself a superback catching balls out of the backfield. No thanks.

.

Last year he had 7 receptions and that was a career high. He's a great blocker who should be used more as a receiver and runner because he's talented.

Also "superback" is a moniker he received in college, he didn't call himself that.

 

[DropKickFlutie]

Videos with scouting report. Unfortunately Vitale is not a good run blocker. I think he misses the 53man cut.

Film room: Danny Vitale adds plenty of athleticism to the Patriots’ fullback corps

 

[Wozzy]

Videos with scouting report. Unfortunately Vitale is not a good run blocker. I think he misses the 53man cut.

Film room: Danny Vitale adds plenty of athleticism to the Patriots’ fullback corps

I never use a fan forum as an authority on anything.

 

[DropKickFlutie]

I never use a fan forum as an authority on anything.

Hard to deny video of him flat out whiffing on run blocks. He's not going to make the team if he tries to be a versatile hBack instead of be an elite run blocking FB

 

[Sicilian]

The more I think about it the more I think Vitale does not make the team. Jacob Johnson is the true run blocking FB we need. Vitale is a self proclaimed superback who plays more HBack or moveTE. This competes with what Keene is doing. I don't see Vitale sticking with the team without a clear role. We do not need a poor run blocking FB who catches 10 passes next year.

.

One thing to keep in mind is he's also been attending the TE meetings (as he's done for other teams too). I'm guessing that Asiasi and Keene make the team, as it's rare for 3rd rounders or better to be cut in their first camp. But LaCosse and Izzo didn't do anything last year that would make me surprised to see them gone this year. We carried two FB's last year with Develin and Johnson. If Vitale can provide value as both rotational FB and #3 TE, he's on this team.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

I don't remember him as a fumbler but it was a long time ago. I also have some bias because I met him a couple of times at a golf tourney. He's a very nice young man

I was at Smithfield back when you could stand right on the sidelines. Charlie Weiss absolutely eviscerated Pass verbally for what I can't remember but the language was epic & hilarious. Weiss really did hate that poor guy.

 

[Zuma]

One thing to keep in mind is he's also been attending the TE meetings (as he's done for other teams too). I'm guessing that Asiasi and Keene make the team, as it's rare for 3rd rounders or better to be cut in their first camp. But LaCosse and Izzo didn't do anything last year that would make me surprised to see them gone this year. We carried two FB's last year with Develin and Johnson. If Vitale can provide value as both rotational FB and #3 TE, he's on this team.

Good points. The TE position was a disaster last year...I hope it’s completely overhauled with the release / trade of LaGlass and Izzo with Asiasi TE1, Keene TE2 and Vitale TE3 while also playing FB1 and Johnson FB2. The versatility of Vitale to catch, block and run with some speed is a major plus for the Patriots. When has BB ever discouraged versatility? It’s never happened. Vitale allows the Pats to scheme in ways that hasn’t been done in the BB era with the Patriots.

 

[Scotty]

I think we all wanted someone like Gronk and Develin to be drafted but they dont come around often so much. So we will build with the players we have and get the most out of them. I must admit that sometimes I dont want to hear about swiss army knives and jack of all trades type players just give me a full back that can create holes in the opposition and knock linebackers on their backs.