Tag: Danny Vitale

Former Packers FB Danny Vitale opts out of 2020 NFL season

The former Packers FB, who caught 7 passes last season, is opting out of the 2020 season due to concerns about the coronavirus.

Former Green Bay Packers fullback Danny Vitale won’t be playing for any team during the 2020 season.

Vitale, who left Green Bay to sign a deal with the New England Patriots this offseason, is opting out of this season due to concerns over the coronavirus, according to Jarrett Bell of USA TODAY Sports. Vitale’s wife recently gave birth, providing the primary reason for the opt-out.

Vitale, a sixth-round pick in 2016, played two seasons with the Packers (2018-19). He was the team’s full-time fullback during the 2019 season, catching a career-high seven passes for 97 yards, including three catches over 20 yards. He played in 15 games and was on the field for 170 total offensive snaps.

The Packers first signed Vitale to the team’s practice squad in October of 2018.

Under the agreement between the NFL and the NFLPA, players who opt out of the season are given a $150,000 stipend and have their contracts tolled for one year. Vitale had signed a one-year deal worth $1.3 million, with a $100,000 signing bonus.

As of Monday, no current Packers player has opted out of the 2020 season.

Here’s where ESPN ranked Patriots’ offensive weapons heading into 2020

It could definitely be a lot worse.

The New England Patriots descending offensively in 2020 is almost inevitable.

Tom Brady’s departure is the clear reason why, but the lack of big-time weapons is still a glaring issue. The team’s most reputable skill player is Julian Edelman — who’s 34-years-old and coming off an injury-riddled season. Fortunately, the signing of Cam Newton should be able to cover up some holes and make up for a lack of talent.

New England has a top-tier offensive line and drafted two tight ends that could be very productive. ESPN’s Bill Barnwell took all of these factors into consideration and ranked the worst to best offensive units heading into next season.

The Patriots landed at No. 21 on the list.

I’m quietly optimistic about the Patriots’ weapons, especially if you’re comparing them to what you saw at the end of 2019, when Julian Edelman and Mohamed Sanu were both compromised by injuries. Sanu tried to play through a high ankle sprain, while Edelman was battling knee and shoulder injuries, both of which required surgery after the season. They are each now on the wrong side of 30, so they might be past their peak, but they can be effective wideouts. If N’Keal Harry takes a step forward in Year 2, this could be a valuable three-wideout grouping.

The tight end room is also better, although that wouldn’t have been very difficult to accomplish. I’m skeptical of any rookie tight end making a difference, but Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene should be improvements on Matt LaCosse and Ryan Izzo. The Pats also will roll out their unusually deep group of running backs for another season, although expected lead back Sony Michel was a disappointment and lost Bill Belichick’s confidence as a receiver and goal-line back at times. Michel dropped three of his 20 targets; the only players in the league with more than 20 targets who had a higher drop rate were Chase Edmonds and Kalen Ballage.

Barnwell notes one of the most important factors to consider for the Patriots — the running back corps. If healthy, the offensive line and tight ends will create ample opportunities for the unique set of running backs to thrive and constantly get touches.

The addition of Newton made for a new dynamic and the Patriots could be better off than expected entering the season.

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Analyzing the terms for FB Danny Vitale’s contract with the Patriots

The contract and the role of FB Danny Vitale.

The New England Patriots were able to add another veteran fullback to the surprisingly full position on the depth chart when they added Danny Vitale.

Since his addition, the presumed starter, James Develin, who missed nearly all of last season with a neck injury, retired from the NFL. Now, Vitale and Jakob Johnson are slated to compete for the job.

Vitale, 26, has spent time with three teams in his four-year career; a training camp and practice squad stint with Tampa Bay, two years with Cleveland, and two years with Green Bay. In his career, the fullback has brought in 15 receptions for 145 yards and has carried the ball once for three yards.

As Ben Volin of the Boston Globe broke down, Vitale received a one-year contract that has only $100 thousand guaranteed, so it seems as though the fullback will have to earn his spot on the 53-man roster.

Chances he makes the roster: 55%

Vitale’s small guarantee doesn’t necessarily mean he won’t make the team. At the time of his signing, Develin’s future was up in the air, so he was more of an insurance deal. Now, he’s obviously slated to fit a much more important role.

Johnson competing for the position after being around the team for a season could give him a slight advantage. However, Vitale has more in-game experience. This battle, while not an exciting position to watch, will be interesting follow through training camp and the preseason.

What it means for Vitale

When the 53-man cuts come down, it’s expected that Vitale will be on the roster. He’s the more experienced of the two backs and has the guaranteed money on the books. With Johnson’s release, there would be no penalty, and he could easily be signed back to the practice squad.

Vitale has an important role in New England this year. As the starting fullback, he’ll be responsible for clearing out linebackers and defensive backs in front of Sony Michel. Develin did an outstanding job protecting Michel and giving him just a bit more time to make his move. After Develin went down with his neck injury, Michel was nowhere near as productive. The Patriots hope Vitale can help the running back run like the first-round talent he was drafted as.

It also seems as though the Patriots have been interested in the fullback for a while, as they met with him following his Pro Day.

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What does Danny Vitale signing mean for James Develin?

Signing a 26-year-old fullback in Danny Vitale could be worrisome for James Develin.

After a troublesome season at fullback in 2019, the New England Patriots now carry three on their roster.

The Patriots have newly signed Danny Vitale, seven-year veteran James Develin and second-year undrafted free agent Jakob Johnson. Both Develin and Johnson went down with injuries last season, leaving the job for former linebacker Elandon Roberts.

New England has been one of the NFL’s leading teams in fullback production, with Develin guiding the way for running backs and providing the occasional option as a pass-catcher. The 31-year-old went down last season with a neck injury, and his status for the 2020 season is still unknown. According to NESN’s Doug Kyed, Develin is feeling good, but it’s still up to the Patriots to clear him for the season.

Vitale, 26,  is an up-and-coming fullback who’s healthier and seems to have a higher ceiling in terms of pass-catching. Although he carries similar NFL numbers to Develin — Vitale hauled in 135 catches, 1,427 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns in college at Northwestern.

Another contributing factor is the absence of Tom Brady, which will create an enormous void throughout the organization, but offensively in specific. The Patriots struggled to run the ball effectively last season without a fullback and they needed a solid rush attack to compliment their overpowering defense. A healthy and capable fullback will be more essential than ever, with the strong possibility that Bill Belichick goes to a run-dominant offense and locks down with defensive dominance.

Given Develin’s age and recent injury, it’s very possible Belichick will view him as a liability and move on from the Pro Bowler. There’s also the possibility the position is viewed as high priority and they keep two very capable fullbacks on the roster.

Develin’s position on the team isn’t gone just yet, but the signing of Vitale will provide some uncertainty.

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Packers lose fullback Danny Vitale to Patriots

The Patriots signed fullback Danny Vitale away from the Packers.

The Green Bay Packers might need to find a new fullback.

According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the New England Patriots agreed to terms with free-agent fullback Danny Vitale, who played in 20 games with the Packers over the last two seasons.

In 2019, Vitale saw action in 15 games, catching seven passes for 97 yards, including three catches over 20 yards.

Matt LaFleur’s arrival in Green Bay gave Vitale second life with the Packers, who claimed him off waivers in 2018. The versatile fullback appeared to be a growing part of the passing game during training camp but his impact never really translated to the regular season.

A knee injury Vitale suffered late in the season required surgery to start the offseason.

It’s unclear if the Packers will want to replace Vitale with another traditional fullback or scrap the position altogether, especially after rookie tight end Jace Sternberger played some snaps in the backfield to end the 2019 season.

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