Packers add another FB to their practice squad
-- Who said the fullback position was a dying breed? The Green Bay Packers didn't -- though they probably should.
On Monday, the team announced the signing of Danny Vitale to their 10-man practice squad.
#Packers sign FB Danny Vitale to the practice squad.
: https://t.co/U1J7adHbPy pic.twitter.com/GJLOtRLzKF
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) October 22, 2018
Vitale, a third-year pro from Northwestern, was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. After failing to make the team's final roster, he was claimed off of waivers by the Buffalo Bills, however, failed his physical.
After rejoining the Buccaneers for all but a month, the Cleveland Browns signed Vitale to their active roster where he spent the next two seasons.
Vitale started nine games for the Browns but appeared in 24. He caught seven passes for 46 yards, which was the primary emphasis behind his usage in four collegiate seasons as a Wildcat.
In four years at Northwestern, Vitale caught 135 passes for 1,427 yards and double-digit touchdowns (11).
The Packers still don't have a fullback on their roster -- they've been subbing in tight end Lance Kendricks in certain packages that would typically feature a fullback -- but Vitale joins Joe Kerridge as the second fullback on the team's practice squad.
Vitale was one of five players to have tryouts with the Packers last week, according to ESPN's Rob Demovsky. The other four were safeties Ibraheim Campbell and Eddie Pleasant, defensive tackle Vincent Valentine and tight end Clive Walford.
__________________________
Zachary Jacobson is a staff writer/reporter for Cheesehead TV. He's the voice of The Leap on iTunes and can be heard on The Scoop KLGR 1490 AM every Saturday morning. He's also a contributor on the Pack-A-Day Podcast. He can be found on Twitter via @ZachAJacobson or contacted through email at [email protected].
Comments (33)
fthisJack
October 22, 2018 at 06:22 pm
wow....exactly what was needed....
Turophile
October 23, 2018 at 01:33 pm
Packers have often cycled guys through the parctice squad to get a good close look at several players. I imagine Vitale is another potential prospect. His photo says serious arm strength.
Next week it might be anbother TE or safety or, well, anything else.
PackfanNY
October 22, 2018 at 06:40 pm
This does absolutely nothing.
KenEllis
October 22, 2018 at 06:46 pm
Nothing says Super Bowl like adding a backup FB to the practice squad.
Lare
October 22, 2018 at 06:54 pm
Yes, Ted Thompson is still in Green Bay.
4thand1
October 22, 2018 at 07:09 pm
This is not worthy of posting, WTF cares.
Coldworld
October 22, 2018 at 08:11 pm
Actually, more interesting than much of the bye week fluff.
PAPackerbacker
October 22, 2018 at 07:24 pm
Are you kidding? They don't even use the backs they have now.
korbie33
October 22, 2018 at 07:36 pm
Do something constructive like put Jackson at safety. Place King in Jackson's spot and put Clay at line backer. Put gilbert in Clay's spot.
Start Aaron Jones at running back and lay him for the first half at least.
JHitTheB
October 22, 2018 at 07:48 pm
Korbie - if you're going to think rationally you can't play this game.
Personally I like King and Alexander at CB. Also Breeland when he gets up to speed. Alexander at safety over Brice any day. That would allow him to ball hawk and would keep his hands away from grabbing jerseys.
Lphill
October 22, 2018 at 07:44 pm
This kid in college did it all , played linebacker as well as any running back position may be a star on special teams .
Thegreatreynoldo
October 23, 2018 at 02:15 am
Agreed. The kid is an intriguing athlete. 6'1", 239, 38.5" vertical, 123" broad jump, 7.12 3 cone, 4.12 shuttle, 4.60 forty with a 1.61 10 yard dash, while still putting up 30 reps on the bench, all at the combine. 100 receptions for over a 1,000 yards. Runs routes like a WR. Just seems to lack the distinguishing trait needed for the NFL. Ought to be a good ST player anyway.
Tundraboy
October 22, 2018 at 10:43 pm
What does one even say about this?
12guage
October 23, 2018 at 03:29 am
Why didn't we just keep Rip? Makes no sense to me...little does so far this season. Hope things will improve starting with the Rams.
Coldworld
October 23, 2018 at 05:37 am
Because he wasn’t very good at anything after his playoff fumble
packrulz
October 23, 2018 at 06:23 am
Did you ever hear of John Kuuuuuuhn? I like it! Good job Gute!
4thand10
October 23, 2018 at 07:57 pm
And there are a few Very Scary good teams that carry the fullback and use them precisely when they need to. The position might be extinct for only some teams. I wouldn’t say it’s some massive NFL trend that nobody carries a fullback....that’s misleading.
pacman
October 23, 2018 at 08:19 am
Let's not turn this great blog into a garbage dump and post articles that are as about as meaningless as you could get.
If you need to post more, let's see some more articles like What You Might Have Missed or stats about how when AR holds the ball too long, his passer rating goes down.
Since'61
October 23, 2018 at 09:26 am
I'm underwhelmed. But Vitale could become the Chuck Mercein of 2018. You never know. Thanks, Since '61
stockholder
October 23, 2018 at 11:10 am
I like this. Thought Vitale was very good coming out. KUUUUUUUUUUUUUUHN
RCPackerFan
October 23, 2018 at 11:38 am
I suggest to those complaining about the article, that if you don't like it, contact Al or whomever to become a writer and write your own articles.
What is the point about hating on the writer of the article. Believe it or not this is news, whether you like it or not.
Skip greenBayless
October 23, 2018 at 12:39 pm
I agree RC. The guy is simply doing his job. They signed a fullback and he's giving us this information which I appreciate. This is actual real news journalism which we apparently are not used to seeing much anymore. News is news unless you are CNN. That of course is fake news. I like real honest news no matter how boring it may seem to some. Keep up the good work Zachary!!
Ferrari Driver
October 23, 2018 at 12:04 pm
I think his role with the team will be dependent on a particular game plan. The bottom 4 or 5 players are not game changers by any means and if a game plan called for a lead blocker, the fullback could be signed to the 53 and released when a higher priority speciality is required during a later game plan.
dobber
October 23, 2018 at 12:54 pm
What the hell is everyone's problem? He's on the PRACTICE SQUAD! They didn't just put him on the 53 and guarantee him 30 touches per week. He's likely to never see the active roster. Chill out, folks.
ILPackerBacker
October 23, 2018 at 01:27 pm
It maybe news, practice squad signing?
Didn't real contenders or even close pretenders ACTUALLY add players?
Did the bear go get a guy?
How about those cowboys?
NE trying to add talent?
We sign a practice squad full back and that is news....and SUCH NEWS it totally obliterates the news that after WEEK, a huge staff spends A WEEK and hundreds of thousands of dollars in salary and perks to figure out we need to run the ball more.
Yes nobody saw that coming, first time ever that was true. How this clown keeps his job......
4thand1
October 23, 2018 at 02:14 pm
If they brought him in to be a blocker for AR, then it just shows the lack of commitment to the running game.
Oz40
October 23, 2018 at 04:16 pm
Superbowl bound baby!!!! All the right decisions all the time!!!!
GBP Lifer
October 23, 2018 at 04:31 pm
when MM said we needed more rushing attempts, this is what he meant, FB rushing attempts. he's an idiot
flackcatcher
October 23, 2018 at 05:31 pm
Man what a cranky lot.........
flackcatcher
October 23, 2018 at 05:45 pm
IAMGUTE is just doing his job guys. Packers need a second back field blocker if Kendricks has to move to the line to play TE if Graham's knee goes bad again. Somebody has to play H-back. As Coldworld pointed out the Ripper was finished on this team after that fumble. Packers want a young John Kuhn, but he had a pretty rare skill set, and is hard to replace, as we are all finding out.
4thand10
October 23, 2018 at 08:02 pm
I always like William Henderson too. He’d always be just pancaking defenders.
Oppy
October 23, 2018 at 09:30 pm
When he wasn't toting the rock and hurdling the first would-be tackler :)
Coldworld
October 23, 2018 at 09:33 pm
Or hurdling them. Great player.
Ps. Same thought at almost the same time OPPY