Develin retires

Mugsy's Jock

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Between Vitale and Keene, this doesn't come as a shock... clearly Develin did the Pats the solid of waiting to the other side of the draft to announce.

Hope you can enjoy a healthy rest of your life, James. I'm sure lots of this community appreciated how hard you worked and sacrificed as a Pat.

Who's up next from Brown?

Edit: Shout out to Jay Gruden, who converted Develin from DL to FB when he was coaching him for the Florida Tuskers.

Edit edit: That was a pretty great call by Gumbel in the clip in the tweet above.
 
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cornwalls@6

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Apr 23, 2010
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Sorry to see it, but figured the Vitale signing was some kind of red flag. He was a good, tough, productive player. Executed his role very well. The epitome of a "do your job" guy. He's making the absolute wisest and best choice for himself and his family. I wish him all good fortune in life going forward.
 

PC Drunken Friar

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I have the chance to tailgate at a few Pats games with Devlin's family. They come up from Pennsylvania a couple times a year. Sat in their seats for a couple playoff games when they couldn't make the trip up. Great people. Devlin absolutely LOVED being a Patriot. The last time they came up was when they weren't sure if the Patriots were going to re-sign him. He really couldn't think of playing anywhere else.

I am glad he is getting out before something horrible happens.
 

DourDoerr

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Amazing play by Develin. Great career. Pro-Bowler, Super Bowl Champ, made some money. Best wishes for his good health and a comfortable retirement.

The commentator on the play: "That's old fashion football there, folks." What's old-fashion about it - the missed tackles? The RB did keep his feet moving and nobody does that these days.
 

Ale Xander

Hamilton
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Oct 31, 2013
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That explains why we had Jacob and Vitale and drafted Keene.

He was an underrated ST player too. Thanks for everything,James.
 

Bergs

funky and cold
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Jul 22, 2005
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Amazing play by Develin. Great career. Pro-Bowler, Super Bowl Champ, made some money. Best wishes for his good health and a comfortable retirement.

The commentator on the play: "That's old fashion football there, folks." What's old-fashion about it - the missed tackles? The RB did keep his feet moving and nobody does that these days.
Ah yes, the comedic stylings of Dan Dierdorf. I do miss them so.
 

ifmanis5

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Really sucks that his career was so injury plagued. Fantastic blocker and extremely valuable player when healthy. When he wasn't in the lineup you noticed it. Will be missed.
 

tims4wins

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I have the chance to tailgate at a few Pats games with Devlin's family. They come up from Pennsylvania a couple times a year. Sat in their seats for a couple playoff games when they couldn't make the trip up. Great people. Devlin absolutely LOVED being a Patriot. The last time they came up was when they weren't sure if the Patriots were going to re-sign him. He really couldn't think of playing anywhere else.

I am glad he is getting out before something horrible happens.
Hopefully that horrible something hasn't already happened
 

nolasoxfan

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Without knowing the specifics of the injury, it seems like it was a difficult--but the best--decision possible for him and his family.
Thank you for everything you did for New England, JD. Forever a Patriot!
 

Super Nomario

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Real worried the guy we drafted 3 rounds early as a TE was going to be gone before we took him? They'd already signed Vitale, Keene might* see some H back snaps, but I hardly think it was a concern they should have had.
I don't think it's coincidence that they made the move up for Keene right after Josiah Deguara, a similar player, went. They probably wanted to wait until the fourth but felt they couldn't once Deguara went. And Develin's announcement explains why they wanted to make sure they didn't miss out.
 

ehaz

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Wonderful career. I hope his injury heals and he has no recurring complications that prevent him from full enjoying his post-football life.
 

Cellar-Door

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Not signalling to the rest of the league the Pats needed to draft a FB-type.
I doubt it really mattered given we had signed his replacement weeks ago in Vitale who is a 1 for 1 replacement in type. I doubt Develin had any impact on the Keene pick given they are wildly different players with different roles
 

DennyDoyle'sBoil

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Sep 9, 2008
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He really epitomized the synergy between player talents and coaching in New England that has been the hallmark of the Belichick era.

I think a fair amount has been said about the extent to which Belichick helped make the fullback relevant again in 2018-19 (and earlier) but in my mind not nearly enough credit is given to what Develin did during the playoffs that year. He was an absolute monster and maybe even more telling than the stats and the highlights is how they did without him last year.

Anyway, in the 2019 playoffs the Patriots scored 11 TDs. Nine were on the ground and Develin was the lead block on every single one of them. Six for Michel and three for Burkhead. He was also the lead block on so many other huge runs in that playoffs including at least two fourth down conversions. When the Patriots needed a yard last season they struggled. When they needed a yard in the playoffs in 2018-19 they frequently got 10.

The highlight where he bulls his way into the end zone is an all time great play, but this is my favorite Develin highlight reel. That it's actually a highlight reel for another guy tells you everything you need to know about this unsung player.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCPJni7_VAQ
 

TSC

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He really epitomized the synergy between player talents and coaching in New England that has been the hallmark of the Belichick era.

I think a fair amount has been said about the extent to which Belichick helped make the fullback relevant again in 2018-19 (and earlier) but in my mind not nearly enough credit is given to what Develin did during the playoffs that year. He was an absolute monster and maybe even more telling than the stats and the highlights is how they did without him last year.

Anyway, in the 2019 playoffs the Patriots scored 11 TDs. Nine were on the ground and Develin was the lead block on every single one of them. Six for Michel and three for Burkhead. He was also the lead block on so many other huge runs in that playoffs including at least two fourth down conversions. When the Patriots needed a yard last season they struggled. When they needed a yard in the playoffs in 2018-19 they frequently got 10.

The highlight where he bulls his way into the end zone is an all time great play, but this is my favorite Develin highlight reel. That it's actually a highlight reel for another guy tells you everything you need to know about this unsung player.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCPJni7_VAQ
Not to take away from Develin's moment here - but man that video gave me hope for a rebound year from Sony. He was so money that playoff run.
 

kelpapa

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Feb 15, 2010
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Suh is such a beast. That hit he lays on Develin at 1:30 completely flattens Dev, but it barely even slowed Suh down. Develin, of course, does his job and gets him out of the play, but that must have been painful. I remember another one from the SB when Develin was pulling from the side, and he completely bounced off Suh.
 

Zedia

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Is there a reason Vitale isn’t listed on the roster on the Pats website? They list 69 players (including Develin and Obi, but also the draft picks). Weird.
 

Cotillion

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Jun 11, 2019
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Develin... hope he is retiring with good health and the ability to live a great post football life.

No need to mess with neck injuries with the position he played even moreso.

Stay healthy, and enjoy the retirement.
 

Cellar-Door

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Is there a reason Vitale isn’t listed on the roster on the Pats website? They list 69 players (including Develin and Obi, but also the draft picks). Weird.
A lot of contracts are agreed but not filed with the league because physicals haven't taken place. Seems to be the case all over the league
 

DennyDoyle'sBoil

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Is there a reason Vitale isn’t listed on the roster on the Pats website? They list 69 players (including Develin and Obi, but also the draft picks). Weird.
Miguel has us with like 89 players, so it's taking time.
 

Super Nomario

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I doubt it really mattered given we had signed his replacement weeks ago in Vitale who is a 1 for 1 replacement in type. I doubt Develin had any impact on the Keene pick given they are wildly different players with different roles
My understanding is that Vitale is closer to Keene than to Develin. He had 135 catches in college, lining up all over the formation. He's not a throwback FB like Develin.
 

Shelterdog

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I don't think it's coincidence that they made the move up for Keene right after Josiah Deguara, a similar player, went. They probably wanted to wait until the fourth but felt they couldn't once Deguara went. And Develin's announcement explains why they wanted to make sure they didn't miss out.
This makes a ton of sense to me. I think we're getting to the point where you can get a good sense of what they want to do, and it looks like they want to have a bunch of h backs and TEs and FBs and big receivers help Stidham with an offense that combines the run and what's predominantly going to be a short passing game--and they likely saw only a small number of players who they were confident could contribute at hback, so they went and grabbed one they liked asap when the other guy they liked was drafted.
 

Cellar-Door

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My understanding is that Vitale is closer to Keene than to Develin. He had 135 catches in college, lining up all over the formation. He's not a throwback FB like Develin.
Hmm guess he is, I had only seen him in GB where he did a lot of lead blocking and pass pro, but looking him up, he has much better athleticism numbers than I would have thought from seeing him there. So yeah, looks like he's more of a versatile Fullback than a pure mauler like Develin.

Makes me think even more something I said in the other thread... that the offense is going to move back to a lot more 21 personnel (used it a ton in 2018, far far less last year) and maybe Vitale and Keene give it a bit more receiving threat and mismatch options.
 

SMU_Sox

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Jul 20, 2009
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Someone check on @mascho - this is a sad day for him.

Just wanted to add my thank you/appreciation for Develin. His contributions in 2018 made that SB possible. I love watching power in football. FB is a position where practically all you do is collide with force every snap against huge people - not for the faint of heart and can take a toll on the long-term health. Tremendous role-player and fan favorite.
 

Norm Siebern

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May 12, 2003
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When I think of football it is the James Develins of the sport that I think of. He will always be among my favorites. And as I have also suffered a serious neck injury in my life I am very happy that Develin is retiring. My hope for him and his family is that he can heal and continue to get medical care so that he can live a long, healthy, pain free and productive life. i am appreciative that he left it all out there on the field for the competition and for the entertainment for the fans.
 

SeoulSoxFan

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When Belichick waxes poetic about glue guys, grown men weep. Devlin truly exemplified the Patriot way. Hoping for his health in retirement.
I'm happy for Develin and wish him the best. When you get the kind of pure love & appreciation from someone like BB and his teammates, you know you done it right.

THANK YOU DEVELIN.

P. S. Crap, I had misspelled it too @Harry Hooper
 

Harry Hooper

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I am shocked that BB spelled Develin's name wrong at the end of the statement. I blame Nike.
 

SamK

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May 31, 2012
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He really epitomized the synergy between player talents and coaching in New England that has been the hallmark of the Belichick era.

I think a fair amount has been said about the extent to which Belichick helped make the fullback relevant again in 2018-19 (and earlier) but in my mind not nearly enough credit is given to what Develin did during the playoffs that year. He was an absolute monster and maybe even more telling than the stats and the highlights is how they did without him last year.

Anyway, in the 2019 playoffs the Patriots scored 11 TDs. Nine were on the ground and Develin was the lead block on every single one of them. Six for Michel and three for Burkhead. He was also the lead block on so many other huge runs in that playoffs including at least two fourth down conversions. When the Patriots needed a yard last season they struggled. When they needed a yard in the playoffs in 2018-19 they frequently got 10.

The highlight where he bulls his way into the end zone is an all time great play, but this is my favorite Develin highlight reel. That it's actually a highlight reel for another guy tells you everything you need to know about this unsung player.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCPJni7_VAQ
Great video. Great illustration of a team player.
That Superbowl LIII hit with Suh at 1:36. Uhh.
I am grateful for Devlin's career.
I understand his family's need for him at home.

edit: kelpapa noted the Suh Superbowl play upthread.
 
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Pablo's TB Lover

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Yes I'm a dork: following Develin's splits this morning on the Boston Marathon app. Along with Danica Patrick and Chris Nikic (2021 ESPY Jimmy V award winner).

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