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New England Patriots: Danny Vitale fuels versatility in Pats’ backfield

By Michael DeVito

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 20: Danny Vitale #45 of the Green Bay Packers slides after getting a first down in the first quarter against Justin Phillips #56 of the Oakland Raiders at Lambeau Field on October 20, 2019 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 20: Danny Vitale #45 of the Green Bay Packers slides after getting a first down in the first quarter against Justin Phillips #56 of the Oakland Raiders at Lambeau Field on October 20, 2019 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /
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Underrated fullback Danny Vitale is a wildcard in the New England Patriots backfield in 2020.

In an under-the-radar signing early in free agency Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots locked up a versatile and talented running back and more in Danny Vitale who came over from Green Bay.

Vitale was little used and ill-used by Cleveland and Green Bay during his two years with each club in his four-year career. He has a lot more potential than meets the eye.

Vitale is listed as a fullback. He was ostensibly brought onboard New England to help replace super fullback James Develin who retired due to injury issues. Dev was the best fullback in the NFL for many years running. A bulldozing blocker who was also capable of a short-run and catching a pass or two when least expected. Tough guy to replace. In fact, you can’t.

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His is a little-mentioned but important loss for New England. Along with Brady and Gronk, Dev presents three key subtractions from a formerly super offense. That offense was severely diminished but is now being rebuilt, slowly but hopefully surely by Bill Belichick in preparation for what may very well be a surprisingly positive 2020 season.

This change of perspective has been fueled by the addition of a superstar by the name of Cam Newton. All of the angst and gnashing of teeth at the unceremonious departure of Tom Brady has been overshadowed now by the addition of another former MVP quarterback, Cam. Anyone in Patriots Nation not excited by this addition must be from another galaxy.

This is no ordinary off-season signing. No matter what the Carolina situation was. How many Super Bowls have they won? They have been to two, I believe. One was a loss to New England, thank you, and the other was courtesy of Cam Newton. Now can he do the same with the New England Patriots, who knows? Don’t rule it out. He just might.

Danny Vitale great for an RPO-type New England Patriots offense

Where Danny Vitale fits in the New England Patriots offense is in this way.

Vitale is much more than an underused blocking back. One has to think that in the Machiavellian mind of Bill Belichick, the Emperor Palpatine of Foxborough, he may have had a plan for Danny all along. As a weapon for a certain RPO quarterback who will thrive with versatile weapons at his disposal.

Enter Danny Vitale.

Vitale has unrealized potential that hopefully Belichick and company have already or will realize is now at their disposal. He’s an underutilized contributor waiting to see his potential unlocked. This guy is just a player. He can run. He can catch. And evidently, they think he can also block.

That’s a nice combination in an RPO offense. Vitale can line up anywhere in that formation. Behind the quarterback in the backfield. On the wing. In-line. As an H-back. Fullback in the I. Anywhere.

With Cam Newton running this offense, Danny becomes another versatile weapon to confound and overrun defenses. An offense with such multi-role players as Newton, Vitale, James White, Rex Burkhead, and Dalton Keene the rookie tight end, plus from Virginia Tech with all the versatility they offer presents a nightmare backfield scenario for NFL defensive coordinators.

From the depths of despair or at least deflation and disappointment, the signing of Cam Newton has reestablished hope in New England. There is now the hope if not the expectation that the 2020 version of the Patriots will excite, surprise, and just maybe excel. Why not? How many teams have a former MVP quarterback with the unique skills of a Cam Newton leading their offenses?

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The 2020 season will be different. That’s for sure. Many New England  Patriots fans have never seen anyone else (absent a few brief interludes) at quarterback for their beloved Patriots. But times change, and for whatever reasons teams move on. We have no choice but to move on with the Patriots. What’s done is done.

That being said, it’s just nice to move on and ahead with a former MVP quarterback, Cam Newton leading the way.

New England fans, jump on board the Patriots 2020 hype train. It’s going to be a fun ride. Guaranteed.

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