Pats Retain Exclusive-Rights to FB Jakob Johnson

BaseballJones

ivanvamp
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Oct 1, 2015
24,369
Yep, this guy has really improved and is a valuable asset to the team. For essentially nothing too.
 

Shaky Walton

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Nov 20, 2019
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And this probably means we can say goodbye to Danny Vitale. Alternatively, Vitale and Johnson will battle it out this summer. Two FBs seems like an unlikely result.
 

Kenny F'ing Powers

posts way less than 18% useful shit
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Nov 17, 2010
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I know people really like him, but I'd have to think theres no roster space for him if Vitale comes back healthy. We never got to see him, but Vitale is a very good FB.

I suppose with so much focus on the running game, it wouldnt be insane to field two FBs and give them both some run to try and keep their heads, necks, and backs from exploding.

Imagine the look of sheer terror from the arena league "speed kills" defenses as the Patriots roll out a wishbone featuring Asiasi and Henry inline, a rested Jakob/Vitale rotating at FB, Jonnu/Keene at 1 HB with Harris/Sony at the other halfback spot?

The 240lb speed rushing defensive end will get into his wide 3 point stance. He looks up and sees the QB - bigger than him at 6'5, 245 lbs - and thinks, "fuuuucccckkk this games gonna hurt." The 230lb safety creeps into the box and stands on his tip toes to look over the massive frames of Brown, Onwenu, Mason, and Wynn. The ball is snapped and the monsters on one side of the line envelop the defense, smothering them with their sheer size and strength. The hollow, thunking clanks of helmets drown out the painful growns of a defense trying to stand their ground.

As he bends and folds into the turf, the undersized middle linebacker peers one last time over the massive frame weighing down on him. Shame washes over him. He was fooled. A streak of white lightning flashes by him as Hunter Henry streaks up field uncovered. Visions of film room immolation fill his head as the ball rips through the air. That giant contract he just signed will be torn to shreds by fans.

The ball harmlessly kicks up turf pellets three yards in front of an exasperated Hunter Henry. Second and ten.
 
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Super Nomario

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Nov 5, 2000
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Mansfield MA
I know people really like him, but I'd have to think theres no roster space for him if Vitale comes back healthy. We never got to see him, but Vitale is a very good FB.
Vitale was more of an TE/H-back in college, no? And he really hasn't played much in the NFL - his high snap count is 170, and he's only played 396 total snaps on offense.

I suppose with so much focus on the running game, it wouldnt be insane to field two FBs and give them both some run to try and keep their heads, necks, and backs from exploding.
I imagine there will be fewer snaps for a FB this year than last year given there will be a lot more 2 TE sets. I don't think they carried a FB at all during the Gronknandez years.
 

Kenny F'ing Powers

posts way less than 18% useful shit
SoSH Member
Nov 17, 2010
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Vitale was more of an TE/H-back in college, no? And he really hasn't played much in the NFL - his high snap count is 170, and he's only played 396 total snaps on offense.
Yep. I didnt watch him in college, but I remember he had a nice preseason/few regular season games with the Packers. It never materialized long term, but he showed the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield well for his size, and I liked the versatility he brought to the position.

If my memory serves, he was also a very good special teams player for Green Bay, which is why I figured he'd carve out a role here. A pass catching fullback that excels at special teams? If he liked lacrosse, Belichick would have adopted him.

I imagine there will be fewer snaps for a FB this year than last year given there will be a lot more 2 TE sets. I don't think they carried a FB at all during the Gronknandez years.
Yeah, I think this is probably right. I lead off my post saying there isnt room for him on the roster. Maybe he makes it over Vitale, who knows. But my gut says, if Vitale stayed in shape, it's going to he his role. His ability to catch gives them that added wrinkle in the backfield they're clearly looking to play with. Both players seem to excel on special teams. Of course, I thought Jakob was a fantastic downhill blocker, and I have no idea about Vitale other than he is only listed at 225 pounds.

Regardless, 53 man roster prediction thread isnt coming for a bit. But I agree with you. Most likely, only one of these guys make the roster.
 

Zososoxfan

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Jul 30, 2009
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I know people really like him, but I'd have to think theres no roster space for him if Vitale comes back healthy. We never got to see him, but Vitale is a very good FB.

I suppose with so much focus on the running game, it wouldnt be insane to field two FBs and give them both some run to try and keep their heads, necks, and backs from exploding.

Imagine the look of sheer terror from the arena league "speed kills" defenses as the Patriots roll out a wishbone featuring Asiasi and Henry inline, a rested Jakob/Vitale rotating at FB, Jonnu/Keene at 1 HB with Harris/Sony at the other halfback spot?

The 240lb speed rushing defensive end will get into his wide 3 point stance. He looks up and sees the QB - bigger than him at 6'5, 245 lbs - and thinks, "fuuuucccckkk this games gonna hurt." The 230lb safety creeps into the box and stands on his tip toes to look over the massive frames of Brown, Onwenu, Mason, and Wynn. The ball is snapped and the monsters on one side of the line envelop the defense, smothering them with their sheer size and strength. The hollow, thunking clanks of helmets drown out the painful growns of a defense trying to stand their ground.

As he bends and folds into the turf, the undersized middle linebacker peers one last time over the massive frame weighing down on him. Shame washes over him. He was fooled. A streak of white lightning flashes by him as Hunter Henry streaks up field uncovered. Visions of film room immolation fill his head as the ball rips through the air. That giant contract he just signed will be torn to shreds by fans.

The ball harmlessly kicks up turf pellets three yards in front of an exasperated Hunter Henry. Second and ten.
39596
 

Over Guapo Grande

panty merchant
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Nov 29, 2005
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Worcester
I have already started envisioning the 4TE offense, with either Keene or Smith lined up in the backfield. Does anyone have Josh's email so I can send him my napkin doodlings?
 

Bergs

funky and cold
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2005
21,612
Imagine the look of sheer terror from the arena league "speed kills" defenses as the Patriots roll out a wishbone featuring Asiasi and Henry inline, a rested Jakob/Vitale rotating at FB, Jonnu/Keene at 1 HB with Harris/Sony at the other halfback spot?

The 240lb speed rushing defensive end will get into his wide 3 point stance. He looks up and sees the QB - bigger than him at 6'5, 245 lbs - and thinks, "fuuuucccckkk this games gonna hurt." The 230lb safety creeps into the box and stands on his tip toes to look over the massive frames of Brown, Onwenu, Mason, and Wynn. The ball is snapped and the monsters on one side of the line envelop the defense, smothering them with their sheer size and strength. The hollow, thunking clanks of helmets drown out the painful growns of a defense trying to stand their ground.

As he bends and folds into the turf, the undersized middle linebacker peers one last time over the massive frame weighing down on him. Shame washes over him. He was fooled. A streak of white lightning flashes by him as Hunter Henry streaks up field uncovered. Visions of film room immolation fill his head as the ball rips through the air. That giant contract he just signed will be torn to shreds by fans.

The ball harmlessly kicks up turf pellets three yards in front of an exasperated Hunter Henry. Second and ten.
Marvelous.
 

RetractableRoof

tolerates intolerance
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Dec 1, 2003
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I know people really like him, but I'd have to think theres no roster space for him if Vitale comes back healthy. We never got to see him, but Vitale is a very good FB.

I suppose with so much focus on the running game, it wouldnt be insane to field two FBs and give them both some run to try and keep their heads, necks, and backs from exploding.

Imagine the look of sheer terror from the arena league "speed kills" defenses as the Patriots roll out a wishbone featuring Asiasi and Henry inline, a rested Jakob/Vitale rotating at FB, Jonnu/Keene at 1 HB with Harris/Sony at the other halfback spot?

The 240lb speed rushing defensive end will get into his wide 3 point stance. He looks up and sees the QB - bigger than him at 6'5, 245 lbs - and thinks, "fuuuucccckkk this games gonna hurt." The 230lb safety creeps into the box and stands on his tip toes to look over the massive frames of Brown, Onwenu, Mason, and Wynn. The ball is snapped and the monsters on one side of the line envelop the defense, smothering them with their sheer size and strength. The hollow, thunking clanks of helmets drown out the painful growns of a defense trying to stand their ground.

As he bends and folds into the turf, the undersized middle linebacker peers one last time over the massive frame weighing down on him. Shame washes over him. He was fooled. A streak of white lightning flashes by him as Hunter Henry streaks up field uncovered. Visions of film room immolation fill his head as the ball rips through the air. That giant contract he just signed will be torn to shreds by fans.

The ball harmlessly kicks up turf pellets three yards in front of an exasperated Hunter Henry. Second and ten.
Props...
 

Beomoose

is insoxicated
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May 28, 2006
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Exiled
I know people really like him, but I'd have to think theres no roster space for him if Vitale comes back healthy. We never got to see him, but Vitale is a very good FB.

I suppose with so much focus on the running game, it wouldnt be insane to field two FBs and give them both some run to try and keep their heads, necks, and backs from exploding.

Imagine the look of sheer terror from the arena league "speed kills" defenses as the Patriots roll out a wishbone featuring Asiasi and Henry inline, a rested Jakob/Vitale rotating at FB, Jonnu/Keene at 1 HB with Harris/Sony at the other halfback spot?

The 240lb speed rushing defensive end will get into his wide 3 point stance. He looks up and sees the QB - bigger than him at 6'5, 245 lbs - and thinks, "fuuuucccckkk this games gonna hurt." The 230lb safety creeps into the box and stands on his tip toes to look over the massive frames of Brown, Onwenu, Mason, and Wynn. The ball is snapped and the monsters on one side of the line envelop the defense, smothering them with their sheer size and strength. The hollow, thunking clanks of helmets drown out the painful growns of a defense trying to stand their ground.

As he bends and folds into the turf, the undersized middle linebacker peers one last time over the massive frame weighing down on him. Shame washes over him. He was fooled. A streak of white lightning flashes by him as Hunter Henry streaks up field uncovered. Visions of film room immolation fill his head as the ball rips through the air. That giant contract he just signed will be torn to shreds by fans.

The ball harmlessly kicks up turf pellets three yards in front of an exasperated Hunter Henry. Second and ten.
Where did I just go?
 

BigSoxFan

Member
SoSH Member
May 31, 2007
47,083
Balderdash. There's no way Cam throws the ball hard enough to kick up turf pellets.
Hey, arm strength is actually the one thing he does ok in. The problem is that he has the touch of a Chris Dudley FT with his passes.
 

RG33

Certain Class of Poster
SoSH Member
Nov 28, 2005
7,199
CA
Hey, arm strength is actually the one thing he does ok in. The problem is that he has the touch of a Chris Dudley FT with his passes.
. . . . and the windup of a Bill Cartwright free throw attempt. . .
 

Dogman

Yukon Cornelius
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Mar 19, 2004
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Missoula, MT
What makes you say that? Was it sneaky? Does the offense run the ball more effectively with JJ on the field? How does JJ grade amongst FBs across the league?

The pinned thread addresses these type of posts.
 

RIrooter09

Alvin
SoSH Member
Jul 31, 2008
7,254
What makes you say that? Was it sneaky? Does the offense run the ball more effectively with JJ on the field? How does JJ grade amongst FBs across the league?

The pinned thread addresses these type of posts.
I feel like most people who follow the team understand what @bsj is saying. The running game has flourished behind JJ’s lead blocking and he’s dirt cheap.
 

bsj

Renegade Crazed Genius
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Dec 6, 2003
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Central NJ SoSH Chapter
It's understood, but a little supporting evidence might be the way to go when making the point.
He was an 800k low level signing who I believe has been clearing massive holes all season. I feel many of the big FA signings of the offseason have gotten a lot more hype. I was the original poster here. Someone else boosted this with a recent thought and it triggered a spontaneous thought I wanted to share .

This isn’t my board and I 100% respect the mods doing what they want and making the rules they want. I will post elsewhere when I don’t have time to provide more context.