Bedard: Patriots sign a 3rd FB, Cowboys Tony Fiammetta

[upstater1]

Re: Bedard: Patriots close to signing a 3rd FB, Cowboys Tony Fiammetta

I preferred having one back and a spread offense. The Patriots can run out of that formation. FBs are good for the goalline. Otherwise, stay off the field.

 

[Sciz]

Re: Bedard: Patriots close to signing a 3rd FB, Cowboys Tony Fiammetta

It wouldn't surprise me if the Pats have 5 RBs on the roster. Vereen, Ridley, Woodhead, Larsen, and Fiammetta is awfully similar to the group they had in 2007 of Maroney, Morris, Faulk, Evans, and Eckel.

 

[captain stone]

Re: Bedard: Patriots close to signing a 3rd FB, Cowboys Tony Fiammetta

Isn't that what we lose in the playoffs on?

Fixed it for ya.

Sorry, I couldn't help it.

 

[Deus Irae]

Re: Bedard: Patriots close to signing a 3rd FB, Cowboys Tony Fiammetta

One thing no one has mentioned is this pretty much guarantees you will never see Hernandez in the backfield again, thankfully.

I see a ton of 2rb 2WR 1TE formations in the Pats future. Such a wonderful thing. Of course Hernandez and Gronk could be either of the WR's as well.

I think it's a pretty safe bet that Hernandez will be taking snaps in the backfield again this season.

 

[Ring 6]

Re: Bedard: Patriots close to signing a 3rd FB, Cowboys Tony Fiammetta

3 FBs battling it out for BJGE's single roster spot?

Also, it look like McDaniels had some type of agreement with BB that if he was going to come back, that BB would give McD more roster making decisions?? I hope Mcdaniels knows what he is doing.

What are you basing this claim on?

 

[Avenger]

Re: Bedard: Patriots close to signing a 3rd FB, Cowboys Tony Fiammetta

Patriots released Polite

 

[Patriot Missile]

Re: Bedard: Patriots close to signing a 3rd FB, Cowboys Tony Fiammetta

Pretty easy to see the Patriots will be running the ball more next year and I'm pretty excited about it. We have the next great running back in waiting imo. With his 87 carries Ridley only managed to run for 441 yards at a 5.1 ypc. 5 carries of over 20+ yards compared to BJGE with 181 carries 0 20+ runs. I think he will take a few to the house this coming season.

If you watched Ridley run you can clearly see he would benefit greatly with a full back in front of him because he has the ability to make the first tackle miss. You throw a full back in the mix and that first tackle he has to miss may be 5 yards further down field. Again I'm excited about both Ridley and Vereen this year. Should be fun.

 

[NewFeep]

Re: Bedard: Patriots close to signing a 3rd FB, Cowboys Tony Fiammetta

I like the idea of a running game that has to be respected and accounted for. It's makes Brady much more dangerous to burn you mid to deep. I have a close friend who's a big Cowboy fan and he's sick about possibly losing Fiammetta...

Just hope this means BB goes "all in" on defense with the upcoming draft! It's high time the cupboard was restocked with real talent across the D-line....

My .02 cents.......

 

[Bonzo]

Re: Bedard: Patriots close to signing a 3rd FB, Cowboys Tony Fiammetta

One thing no one has mentioned is this pretty much guarantees you will never see Hernandez in the backfield again, thankfully.

I see a ton of 2rb 2WR 1TE formations in the Pats future. Such a wonderful thing. Of course Hernandez and Gronk could be either of the WR's as well.

I wouldn't presume that it guarantees anything.

Hernandez ran 8 times for 70 yards in the postseason. (Plus another 8 times for 92 yards in his regular season career.) Is it injury you're concerned about?

 

[TB146]

Re: Bedard: Patriots close to signing a 3rd FB, Cowboys Tony Fiammetta

Polite was just released.

New England Patriots ? @Patriots Reply Retweet Favorite · Open
Patriots release FB Lousaka Polite:

I just hope they did it Politely.

:bricks:

 

[Gumby]

Re: Bedard: Patriots close to signing a 3rd FB, Cowboys Tony Fiammetta

I like the signing. Fiammetta is real young - what 5th year in league?; but still reportedly one of the best.

Polite was supposed to be good; but I rarely noticed him.

You guys complaining about his injuries - Did you even read the story on the signing; he was out for Cowpokes with an INNER EAR INFECTION that caused him to not have right balance. That sounds like a horribly permanent and festering condition that will clearly affect the next 10 years of his career. .... cut him now.

 

[Bostonian1962]

Re: Bedard: Patriots close to signing a 3rd FB, Cowboys Tony Fiammetta

Pats are trying to stockpile Vegans, IMHO:

Dallas Cowboys' Tony Fiammetta: 6-Feet-Tall, 242 Pounds and 100% Vegan - MFA Blog

 

[Bostonian1962]

Re: Bedard: Patriots close to signing a 3rd FB, Cowboys Tony Fiammetta

Jerry Jones Compares Fiammetta To "Moose" Johnston | NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

 

[RayClay]

Re: Bedard: Patriots close to signing a 3rd FB, Cowboys Tony Fiammetta

One thing I don't like about FB signings is that the Pats seem to wind up using FBs as mediocre short yardage runners.

Yeah, I'm thinking mainly of Heath Evans, who wasn't a pure FB until after joining the Patriots. But still the point kind of stands.

That's my problem with these signings. Sign a fullback that can run fer Pete's sake. I don't think any of these guys are NFL power backs, so let's start subtracting a wideout, Welker, or one of our great tight ends from the play.

I just don't get it.

 

[RayClay]

Re: Bedard: Patriots close to signing a 3rd FB, Cowboys Tony Fiammetta

Pats are trying to stockpile Vegans, IMHO:

Dallas Cowboys' Tony Fiammetta: 6-Feet-Tall, 242 Pounds and 100% Vegan - MFA Blog

I am not in favor of this at all. If we're going subtract a spot from our lineup, I want a FB who eats raw meat.

 

[WhiZa]

Re: Bedard: Patriots close to signing a 3rd FB, Cowboys Tony Fiammetta

Fiammetta looks to be more of a supplement to what Faulk was in the passing game rather then a true FB. Besides being a good pass blocker he has just as many catches as he does runs. He's basically another Heath Evans

 

[patfanken]

Re: Bedard: Patriots close to signing a 3rd FB, Cowboys Tony Fiammetta

I am not in favor of this at all. If we're going subtract a spot from our lineup, I want a FB who eats raw meat.

I can see your point. It seems like a direct departure from what we've been doing the last several years, going from zero FBs to 2. Here's what I think:

1. Everyone assumed (including myself) that the Pats would add a GL/SY RB to the 3 RBs we have coming back. Maybe the Pats will have 5 RBs like last season, only one or 2 will be FBs.

2. Maybe BB and Josh have decided once again to go against the prevailing wind in the NFL and bring back the running game in a serious manner this season. Ridley and Vareen have the explosive talent to each be #1 RBs, who can play all 3 downs, and Woody is solid depth. Now add a powerful FB or 2 who can catch the ball, along with a big powerful OL, and the Pats are geared up to run the ball 100 more times next season than last. This would extend the offense's time of possession, improve the play action pass game, save wear and tear on Brady and the receivers.

I still think that when all is said and done only one of those 2 FB's will remain on the roster, but if BOTH do make it, then its a sure sign that a change in the direction of the running game is about to happen. BTW- Its not going to affect the roster because we kept 5 RBs last season. Even with the 2 FBs we'd only have 5 this season as well

 

[Gumby]

Re: Bedard: Patriots close to signing a 3rd FB, Cowboys Tony Fiammetta

I can see your point. It seems like a direct departure from what we've been doing the last several years, going from zero FBs to 2. Here's what I think:

1. Everyone assumed (including myself) that the Pats would add a GL/SY RB to the 3 RBs we have coming back. Maybe the Pats will have 5 RBs like last season, only one or 2 will be FBs.

2. Maybe BB and Josh have decided once again to go against the prevailing wind in the NFL and bring back the running game in a serious manner this season. Ridley and Vareen have the explosive talent to each be #1 RBs, who can play all 3 downs, and Woody is solid depth. Now add a powerful FB or 2 who can catch the ball, along with a big powerful OL, and the Pats are geared up to run the ball 100 more times next season than last. This would extend the offense's time of possession, improve the play action pass game, save wear and tear on Brady and the receivers.

I still think that when all is said and done only one of those 2 FB's will remain on the roster, but if BOTH do make it, then its a sure sign that a change in the direction of the running game is about to happen. BTW- Its not going to affect the roster because we kept 5 RBs last season. Even with the 2 FBs we'd only have 5 this season as well

My gosh, it is only MARCH. Pre-draft BB {bulletin board} business is slow and everyone is trying to earn their wings at TEA-READING. I think you hit Bingo at the bold part at the end.

Going from 0 to 2 FBs in March doesnt mean much to me. BB (hoodie) is well-known for his methodology of vet FA acquisition. (throw a lot at the wall and see what sticks). That is all I think this is. I dont think you can interpret some devious scheme to upend the strategic balance of the nfl by reinventing the run game. (unless he slips polian some $$ under the table to get back to work on the rules committee )

He may keep both if they are all-around football players who can fill other holes (or cut them both). But the fact he had Polite on the roster last year tells me he wants to keep one - it will probably be the best or at least the healthiest come Sep.

 

[RayClay]

Re: Bedard: Patriots close to signing a 3rd FB, Cowboys Tony Fiammetta

Fiammetta looks to be more of a supplement to what Faulk was in the passing game rather then a true FB. Besides being a good pass blocker he has just as many catches as he does runs. He's basically another Heath Evans

He has 8 receptions in 3 years, are we talking about the same guy?

 

[ivanvamp]

Re: Bedard: Patriots close to signing a 3rd FB, Cowboys Tony Fiammetta

That's my problem with these signings. Sign a fullback that can run fer Pete's sake. I don't think any of these guys are NFL power backs, so let's start subtracting a wideout, Welker, or one of our great tight ends from the play.

I just don't get it.

I'm very curious to see how the roster shakes out. How many RBs, TEs, and WRs do the Pats keep? A guy like Hernandez can do all three (albeit in a limited basis with respect to RB).

RB candidates: Vereen, Ridley, Woodhead, Fiametta, Larsen
TE candidates: Gronkowski, Hernandez, Fells
WR candidates: Welker, Lloyd, Branch, Ochocinco, Gonzalez, Slater, Edelman, Underwood, Stallworth

Of course, this is before the draft, when they could easily add more players to this list.

I know it's really early, but I'm going to guess that the Pats keep 4 RB, 3 TE, and 6 WR.

RB: Vereen, Ridley, Woodhead, Fiametta
TE: Gronkowski, Hernandez, Fells
WR: Welker, Lloyd, Branch, Slater, Edelman, Ochocinco

Slater and Edelman also are huge helps on ST, as would Fells and Fiametta. Hernandez' flexibility allows him to move to WR or even play some RB, so as long as he stays healthy, he gives them almost an extra player. If (hahaha) Ocho finally "gets it" with NE, it's like adding a really nice FA pickup (I cannot conclude that he is "done"...the year before he came to NE he had 67 rec, 831 yds, and 4 td with a crummy QB).

I'd love to see them come out in a short-yardage package on 3rd and 1 from the 45 with Gronk, Hernandez, Lloyd (out wide), Fells, and Ridley. The other team brings in the heavy defense to load up on the run. Maybe just a couple of DBs, but a lot of DL and LBs. Then the Pats shift and go 3-wide, splitting Hernandez outside on the left and Lloyd outside on the right, with Hernandez in the slot.

You're the D-coordinator. What's coming? You almost certainly have a LB matched up against Gronk at this point. You have to watch Lloyd deep. They could still run out of that set by then bringing Gronk in motion towards the line - is it a setup for a wham block or is it a precursor to a pass pattern? Ridley is a powerful runner and if they run him behind Fells, Waters, and Solder, he should get a yard minimum, but with the spread set the blocking could easily spring Ridley for a home run. Brady takes the snap and hands off to Ridley.........or does he? Will it be a play-action or an actual run? The LBs need to freeze, but that just opens up gobs of yardage for Hernandez, Gronk, and Lloyd.

My goodness, the options this team will have are just delicious.