The New England Patriots have signed tight end Troy Fumagalli and released fullback Dan Vitale, according to multiple reports.
The Denver Broncos drafted Fumagalli in the fifth round in 2018. During the 2020 season, Denver cut Fumagalli, who then bounced from the Houston Texans back to the Broncos on the practice squad. He has 14 career catches for 118 yards and two touchdowns.
Vitale, 27, was one of the Patriots’ eight COVID-19 opt-outs. He is also one of five of those opt-outs who are no longer with the team. He signed with New England during the 2020 offseason on a one-year, $1.3 million contract. He has played for the Green Bay Packers, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Cleveland Browns during his NFL career.
Only the Patriots had more players opt out than the Browns
The Cleveland Browns were one of the hardest-hit teams by players opting out for the 2020 season due to COVID-19 concerns. Five Browns players elected to take the season off, as allowed by the agreement between the NFL and the NFLPA.
Only the New England Patriots, with eight, had more players choose to opt out. One of those eight Patriots is former Browns FB, Dan Vitale.
He’s one of several former Browns who are among the 66 total players who will not play in 2020.
FB Dan Vitale, Patriots
WR Travis Benjamin, 49ers
CB E.J. Gaines, Bills
OT Shon Coleman, 49ers
WR Da’Mari Scott, Giants
OT Brad Seaton, Buccaneers
The full opt-out list can be found here via the NFL.
A running tracker of the NFL players who have decided to forgo the 2020 season due to COVID-19
As the NFL looks to return to some semblance of normalcy with the opening of training camps, the reality on the ground is that the upcoming NFL season will be anything but normal. With the world still dealing with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, NFL players are choosing to opt out of the upcoming season.
Under the agreement reached between the NFL and the NFLPA, players have until August 3rd to choose to opt out of the year ahead. Players deemed to be in the “high-risk” category will earn $350,000 for the upcoming season, and those not placed in that category will earn $150,000 for the year ahead.
Here are the current players who have decided to forgo playing in the 2020 season:
Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, G, Kansas City Chiefs
Dont’a Hightower, LB, New England Patriots
Brandon Bolden, RB, New England Patriots
Marcus Cannon, T, New England Patriots
Dan Vitale, FB, New England Patriots
Najee Toran, New England Patriots
Chance Warmack, G, Seattle Seahawks
De’Anthony Thomas, WR, Baltimore Ravens
Maurice Canady, CB, Dallas Cowboys
Caleb Brantley, DE, Washington Football Team
Kyle Peko, DT, Denver Broncos
The first name on this list might be the most notable, as Duvernay-Tardif is a licensed doctor in Canada who has been on the front lines of the pandemic over the past few months. In a statement released on social media, Dr. Duvernay-Tardif outlined his reasons for opting out of the upcoming football season:
The number of Patriots opting out also is notable. The biggest name among them is Hightower, who has been the heart of the Patriots’ defensive front for years and is one of the league’s best off-ball linebackers. In fact, if you think about New England’s three recent Super Bowl wins, there is a strong case to be made that Hightower made the biggest plays in each contest. In Super Bowl XLIX Hightower stopped Marshawn Lynch at the goal line just before Malcolm Butler’s interception, and he did it with a torn labrum in his shoulder. In Super Bowl LI it was Hightower’s strip-sack of Matt Ryan that kept the Patriots in the game. Then in Super Bowl LIII Hightower had two huge sacks of Jared Goff and perhaps was the best choice for MVP.
But the loss of Brandon Bolden, a player who flies under the radar outside of New England, is also notable. Bolden has been a staple on New England’s special teams units during his two stints with the team, and could also contribute as a role player in the offensive backfield. Then there is Marcus Cannon, the Patriots starting right tackle, choosing to opt out. Cannon was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins’ Lymphoma after his physical at the 2011 Scouting Combine showed some irregularities. His absence could force the team to slide Joe Thuney to right tackle, as he has some experience playing outside, or to rely on untested players such as Yodny Cajuste or Justin Herron.
Touchdown Wire wishes all of these players, and their families, well during these times. This list will be updated as events warrant.
The 2019 season wasn’t what anyone surrounding the New England Patriots organization hoped for. They struggled to find their identity and keep up with the elite teams across the league.
No group was criticized more than the running backs. With an injury-riddled offensive line, and without a true fullback, the backs weren’t a strength for the Patriots’ offense.
Now, with an experienced fullback and a healthy unit in front, New England’s stable of running backs hope to produce big. And, with the talent and different skillsets they have on the roster, this positional group could be one of the most complete and deepest in the Patriots’ locker room.
Sony Michel
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As the workhorse back, Michel received the brunt of the criticism last season. He finished the year averaging just 3.7 yards per carry and failed to reach 1,000 yards again. Another surgery this offseason means the Georgia product will be battling more to return to the field.
Michel has a bit to work on, including his pass-catching, red-zone running and his ability to make defenders miss. However, with a healthy offensive line, his effectiveness should shoot back up. If he plays to his strengths and stays healthy, Michel could see his first 1,000-yard season in the NFL.
James White
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Like Michel, White had some critiques tossed his way in 2019, but most of them were unwarranted. By the end of his season, he recorded 72 receptions for 645 yards and five touchdowns through the air, and 67 rushes for 263 yards and one touchdown on the ground. This was the second-most productive season of his career.
Entering the final year of his contract, White will be looking to put up big numbers to cash in next offseason. The arrival of Cam Newton could mean big things for White, as Newton heavily relied on his pass-catching back in Carolina. Fans should expect White to continue his successful career as the best pass-catching back the Patriots have had in the Bill Belichick era.
Rex Burkhead
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As the third back on the depth chart, Burkhead doesn’t get a ton of action, but he’s been effective when he’s on the field. The former Nebraska back rushed for 302 yards and three touchdowns last year and added 27 receptions for 279 yards in the receiving game. While those numbers won’t blow anyone away, Burkhead seemed to get the job done when Michel couldn’t.
At points in this offseason, it felt like Burkhead’s eventual release was a forgone conclusion as a cap casualty. However, the 30-year-old agreed to a reduced salary, creating just under $1 million in cap space. With some uncertainty in the offense, New England will need as many weapons as they can find, so Burkhead may be sticking around for another season.
Damien Harris
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Despite being a third-round pick in last year’s draft, Harris didn’t see the field much at all. The Alabama product was given four carries in his five offensive snaps in 2019. By the end of the season, fans were calling for Harris to be given more reps, as Michel just wasn’t getting it done.
This season probably won’t see Harris getting 100 carries unless Michel and Burkhead go down with injuries, but there should be an increase in opportunities. The biggest problem for Harris is how deep the position is for New England right now. With multiple backs in the final year of their contract, the Patriots may be keeping and coaching Harris for the 2021 season.
Brandon Bolden
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Eight years into Bolden’s career, the Ole Miss product has yet to get real opportunities as a running back. Most of his duties are spent on special teams, playing on 71 percent of the special teams snaps. On offense, however, he hasn’t reached 10 percent since 2015.
Despite the lack of carries and targets, Bolden still provides depth in New England. He’s proven that he’s capable of filling in if a lead back goes down (4.5 yards per carry in his career) and has shown how dangerous he can be on a wheel route. If Bolden makes the team again this year, he will bring those things as well as his consistency on special teams.
J.J. Taylor
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Taylor went undrafted in this year’s draft before being scooped up by New England afterward. The 5-foot-6 back played four seasons at Arizona, totaling 3,263 yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground and 62 receptions for 487 yards and two touchdowns in the passing game.
It would be extremely tough for Taylor to make the 53-man roster come the regular season. However, it isn’t impossible. If there are a couple injuries, he may be able to sneak his way on. New England can also keep a running back around on the practice squad and get Taylor some coaching while the depth chart is full.
Danny Vitale
Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
The Patriots signed Vitale this offseason to help replace James Develin who retired after missing the majority of last season with a neck injury. The fullback has spent his four years in the NFL split between Cleveland and Green Bay, primarily as a blocker.
Vitale’s spot is far from guaranteed, as his signing bonus was only $100,000. However, he’s the fullback with the most experience on the roster and could ease that transition for the post-Develin Patriots. If the running game is to return to its glory in New England, Vitale will need to step up.
Jakob Johnson
Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
Johnson was signed by the Patriots last offseason through the International Player Pathway. New England had the option to register his as their IPP player which would’ve allowed him to stay on the practice squad and not count against the 10-man limit, but he couldn’t be activated during the season. Instead, the Patriots signed him to the practice squad as a regular member.
When Develin went down, Johnson was activated from the practice squad and played in four games before going down with an injury of his own. Johnson seems to be a bit more of an H-back, tight end/fullback combo, compared to Vitale. He’s very strong and seems to have the determination to be in the NFL. If he continues to work, Johnson may very well find a way to stick around in New England.
Here are the six biggest strengths on the Patriots’ roster heading into training camp.
The New England Patriots are heading into an extremely odd year in 2020 — for many reasons.
Tom Brady’s gone, the coronavirus pandemic has caused unprecedented circumstances and that’s just to name a couple of them. New England also lost out on key contributors his offseason with Jamie Collins, Kyle Van Noy, Danny Shelton, Elandon Roberts and of course, Brady.
For all of these reasons, it’s set up for a peculiar training camp and a lower bar for the Patriots this season. Fortunately, Bill Belichick is still the coach and he happened to collect a former NFL MVP at quarterback under the veteran minimum (Cam Newton if you were wondering).
There are many reasons to believe the Patriots can overcome this adversity and put together a winning season. Here are six strengths the Patriots have on their roster ahead of training camp.
Offensive line
Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
The offensive line will be the most important group for the Patriots in 2020. They’ll be responsible for clearing holes for the team’s running attack, protecting a new quarterback in this system and keeping the pace going offensively in general. Before, a shaky offensive line would get covered up by the genius of Brady. Now, every mistake will be exposed.
Fortunately, the Patriots carry one of the best offensive lines heading into the season. The group features Isaiah Wynn, Joe Thuney, David Andrews, Shaq Mason and Marcus Cannon. They have the ability to excel as pass and run-blockers and will be fundamental in the team’s success — health is the only concern.
The Patriots will likely have a run-heavy scheme that relies on great defense and clock management. This season will boil down to the trenches and Belichick is heading into the season with the right pieces in play.
Cornerbacks
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Similar to the offensive line, the Patriots will head into the 2020 season with arguably the best group of cornerbacks. The 2019 Defensive Player of the Year, Stephon Gilmore, will head the group. Jason McCourty, J.C. Jackson, Jonathan Jones and Joejaun Williams will be his counterparts.
New England allowed the second-least passing yards last season (2,886) and recorded the most interceptions (25) — with 12 coming from cornerbacks. Gilmore was named a Pro Bowler and First-Team All-Pro for the second consecutive season and he only allowed one touchdown on the year.
Jackson is entering his third season and is ascending as one of the league’s top cornerbacks, while Jones remains elite as a slot cover guy. The Patriots have one of the best cornerback crews in the NFL and it’ll allow for maximum flexibility for Belichick.
“It’s definitely some pretty dang big shoes to fill. James was a hell of a player.”
James Develin quietly fueled the New England Patriots’ offense since his second year in the league.
Develin appeared in all 16 games for five consecutive seasons and spent seven years in the NFL before retiring this spring. Bill Belichick gave a glowing retirement statement about the fullback, exclaiming his importance to the team. New England’s rushing attack suffered tremendously last season after Develin hit the injured reserve list with a nick injury.
The Patriots signed four-year veteran Dan Vitale this offseason to replace Develin and he had nothing but praise for the three-time Super Bowl champion.
“There are only a handful of teams in the league that use fullbacks nowadays. Obviously there has been a little bit of a resurgence around the league now with the success that a lot of teams have had,” Vitale said, transcribed by WEEI. “That definitely plays into it. Obviously you only have a couple options when it comes to that. Seeing all the amazing things that James Develin did over the last couple years, obviously that’s enticing for a fullback.
“It’s definitely some pretty dang big shoes to fill. James was a hell of a player. I’ve enjoyed watching him really since I got into the league now. He was really a role model at the position. As a fullback a lot of people don’t typically notice how important that role can be and I think it was pretty clear how important James really was to this Patriots team over the last however many years. Definitely have some really big shoes to fill but I’m really looking forward to that opportunity as well.”
Vitale spent the past two seasons with the Green Bay Packers and began finding his way as a pass-catcher. He recorded seven catches for 97 yards in 2019 — but, it was nothing compared to his 135 receptions, 1,427 receiving yards and 11 receiving touchdowns he racked up in four years at Northwestern.
“I think the biggest thing that I learned about my style over the last couple years is being able to be versatile,” Vitale continued. “I think my abilities with the ball in my hands as well. That’s a huge advantage I think in my style of play is being able to be a playmaker when you need it. I think it showed a little bit last year as well in Green Bay. Looking forward to getting more opportunities to do that here in the near future. I will say at the end of the day too, it kind of comes with the territory at fullback, but kind of being the tough guy and having that mentality is important. That’s something I feel like I can bring as well. I’ll do any job that they ask me to do. I’ll play hard every single play and I’ll do it to the best of my ability.”
Vitale, 26, has youth on his side and could be the perfect replacement for Develin.
“I’ve jumped around the league a little bit and been in a lot of different rooms,” Vitale said. “I prepare the same way no matter what room I’m in. I try to learn every single role, every single job so whenever my number is called I’m able to do everything that’s asked of me and more. Just excited to eventually get back here with all the guys and seeing where I fit in, for sure.”
Dan Vitale can bring a multi-faceted game to the New England Patriots offense.
Dan Vitale was acquired by the New England Patriots last week as the organization continues to remodel and reshuffle. In acquiring Vitale, they found a competitor and potential replacement for James Develin. If New England plans to use Vitale in the same way, then the new fullback will have a huge part in the Patriots offense.
How does Vitale fit into this offense? Historically, the Patriots have used Develin for short-yardage situations and as a blocker. It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that Vitale could be used in the same way, if he beats out Develin in the coming months.
He can serve as an extra receiving boost in the backfield. While a member of the Green Bay Packers in 2019, he was used in that way often. He played in 15 games, starting four of them. He recorded seven catches for 97 yards, averaging 13.9 yards per reception. He totaled three first down catches on the year.
At the very least, Vitale could help boost the running game. Sony Michel struggled at times last year, likely in large part because of Develin’s injury. With a new quarterback under center next fall, the New England Patriots may choose to run the ball quite a bit. That would emphasize the starting fullback’s role even more.
That is not to say as Vitale is a one-dimensional player. He provided production as a receiver for the Northwestern Wildcats in college. His best season came in 2014. He caught 40 passes for 402 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 10.1 yards per reception. He totaled 135 receptions for 1,427 yards and 11 touchdowns in four seasons of play
Vitale would be able to bring that two-way threat to the table. His ability to do both things could help New England move the ball down the field. In addition, he adds depth to a position that has been so vital to the success of the Patriots over the years.
The New England Patriots former Green Bay Packers fullback Dan Vitale on Friday.
The New England Patriots have been keeping active in free agency, and Friday they welcomed a new player into the fold. Fullback Dan Vitale has signed a contract with the New England Patriots, according to multiple media reports.
Vitale has spent four years in the National Football League, playing for the Packers the last two seasons. He was drafted by Cleveland in the sixth round of the 2016 Draft.
Vitale went to Northwestern. After playing the tight end position in the 2012 season, he transitioned to the slot back position for the rest of his career. His best season with the Wildcats receiving -wise came in 2014. As a slot back, he recorded 40 receptions for 402 yards and two touchdowns.
For his Northwestern career, Vitale recorded 135 receptions for 1,427 yards and 11 touchdowns. He was a minimal factor in the running game, carrying the ball six times for 29 yards.
Hearing that the Patriots are close to an agreement with former Packer FB Dan Vitale, per source. #Patriots
With James Develin on the mend, Vitale could be used to help out in the running game. Sony Michel struggled at times last year, and Vitale’s veteran experience could help provide stability in the backfield. The Patriots have historically used Develin as both a short-yardage rusher and a pass-blocker. Vitale should be able to fill that role.
It will be interesting to see if the New England Patriots will make any further moves in free agency. In what has been a few days of retooling the roster, the Patriots have been busy.
