Write-up/ranking of Vitale on 90-man GB roster...

[Katatonic]

58: Danny Vitale, fullback

This former Northwestern Wildcat — one of several on the Packers’ roster — is another excellent athlete for his position. At the 2016 NFL Combine, he posted workout numbers better than many running backs in his class, with a 4.60-second 40, 7.12-second 3-cone, and 38.5-inch vertical all at 6-foot-1 and 240 pounds.

Vitale ended up playing 24 games for the Browns over his first two years before landing on injured reserve to start the 2018 season. After Cleveland released him with an injury settlement, he landed with the Packers, first on the practice squad and then on the active roster for the final five games of last season.

With no other true fullbacks on the roster, Vitale has a great opportunity to take hold of a roster spot by impressing as a lead blocker. However, with Matt LaFleur’s offenses seemingly preferring to go single-back with two tight ends instead, he will need to force the issue with excellent play rather than getting a job by default.

Although if APC were ranking the roster by social media presence or mustache game, Vitale would probably be in the top ten.

https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/...eptional-athletes-look-to-grow-into-nfl-roles


Even if LaFleur's scheme tends to go w/ a single-back, Vitale's ability as a pass catcher should help his case (flexibility and being able to run different plays out of the same formation to keep the D guessing).

 

[Aging Booster]

58: Danny Vitale, fullback

This former Northwestern Wildcat — one of several on the Packers’ roster — is another excellent athlete for his position. At the 2016 NFL Combine, he posted workout numbers better than many running backs in his class, with a 4.60-second 40, 7.12-second 3-cone, and 38.5-inch vertical all at 6-foot-1 and 240 pounds.

Vitale ended up playing 24 games for the Browns over his first two years before landing on injured reserve to start the 2018 season. After Cleveland released him with an injury settlement, he landed with the Packers, first on the practice squad and then on the active roster for the final five games of last season.

With no other true fullbacks on the roster, Vitale has a great opportunity to take hold of a roster spot by impressing as a lead blocker. However, with Matt LaFleur’s offenses seemingly preferring to go single-back with two tight ends instead, he will need to force the issue with excellent play rather than getting a job by default.

Although if APC were ranking the roster by social media presence or mustache game, Vitale would probably be in the top ten.

https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/...eptional-athletes-look-to-grow-into-nfl-roles


Even if LaFleur's scheme tends to go w/ a single-back, Vitale's ability as a pass catcher should help his case (flexibility and being able to run different plays out of the same formation to keep the D guessing).

He was the only true "super back" we've ever had. He could line up at FB, TE , or what we used to call a flanker and switch between them. A good blocker, a fine runner, and an excellent receiver, he offered multiple weapons that made defensing him difficult. When Fitz and Mick have someone like that, they knew how to use him. Hopefully, the next Vitale is waiting for his chance this year.

 

[Hungry Jack]

He will probably need to go to another team that offers a better fit, but it's great that he's on a roster and will get a chance to show his skills again in camp. He's an exceptional athlete (Northwestern gets athletes????) who just needs to find a team that runs a scheme for him.

 

[corbi296]

He was the only true "super back" we've ever had. He could line up at FB, TE , or what we used to call a flanker and switch between them. A good blocker, a fine runner, and an excellent receiver, he offered multiple weapons that made defensing him difficult. When Fitz and Mick have someone like that, they knew how to use him. Hopefully, the next Vitale is waiting for his chance this year.

Dunsmore was pretty damn good and versatile as well. Still remember what he did against Auburn in the bowl game.

 

[hdhntr1]

Dunsmore was pretty damn good and versatile as well. Still remember what he did against Auburn in the bowl game.

I tend to forget losses

 

[DaCat]

Dunsmore was pretty damn good and versatile as well. Still remember what he did against Auburn in the bowl game.

I tend to forget losses

Just about any compilation of the top ten plays in NU football from the past 25 years would probably include the Dunsmore 66-yard TD play, loss or no loss.

 

[hdhntr1]

Just about any compilation of the top ten plays in NU football from the past 25 years would probably include the Dunsmore 66-yard TD play, loss or no loss.

Wasn't it like the next year Auburn won the National Championship?

 

[corbi296]

Wasn't it like the next year Auburn won the National Championship?

Yes.

 

[Aging Booster]

Dunsmore was pretty damn good and versatile as well. Still remember what he did against Auburn in the bowl game.

Corbi, please do not get me wrong - we have had other good TEs, but Vitale, in my mind, was a true SB. He lined up in various places and was a threat to run or catch and blocked very well from the end or the backfield. I too remember Dunsmore against Auburn, but I think he was a more typical TE. He occasionally lined up in the backfield, but he did not often carry the ball from there. Vitale did it all.

 

[Gladeskat]

Just about any compilation of the top ten plays in NU football from the past 25 years would probably include the Dunsmore 66-yard TD play, loss or no loss.

Don't forget the 4 TD game he had against Indiana. Three of those catches were great catches, including a one-handed grab with the defender all over him.

 

[Gladeskat]

Don't forget the 4 TD game he had against Indiana. Three of those catches were great catches, including a one-handed grab with the defender all over him.

Somehow, they left out the funny cheap shot by Konopka that sent an Indiana defender flying into the sideline. Not good, but hilarious nonetheless.

 

[epicbret]

His football awareness is and always has been tremendous. He's also warrior strong.

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

His football awareness is and always has been tremendous. He's also warrior strong.

Duns was a stud!

 

[aquacat]

Wasn't it like the next year Auburn won the National Championship?

Yes, they went from being a good team to national champions with the addition of Cam Newton.

 

[NUCat320]

Corbi, please do not get me wrong - we have had other good TEs, but Vitale, in my mind, was a true SB. He lined up in various places and was a threat to run or catch and blocked very well from the end or the backfield. I too remember Dunsmore against Auburn, but I think he was a more typical TE. He occasionally lined up in the backfield, but he did not often carry the ball from there. Vitale did it all.

Your memory of Vitale’s usage differs from how he was actually used.

While he perhaps lined up in the backfield, he had exactly six carries in four seasons.

NU should have found more ways to use him, especially his senior season when the team had two talented TEs (Vitale and soph Dickerson), not much talent outside (CJones led WRs with 23 catches; Carr and McHugh each had 16), a generational running back (1,418 yards for soph JJTBC), and a freshman QB. Dickerson and Vitale should have seen the field together. They rarely did.

Of course, better and more creative usage of Vitale’s unique skillset (no carries in 2015)wouldn’t have turned around the Michigan, Iowa, or Tennessee games, and it was 4 years ago, so whatev.

Danny has banked nearly $1.5 million as an NFL player; and it appears he’s in line for $720k this season, though who knows how much is guaranteed.

 

[Katatonic]

Rankings for Lancaster and Lowry.


T-31. Tyler Lancaster

The Northwestern product managed to work his way up from the practice squad into a perfectly passable member of the defensive line. Lancaster showed enough to make some of the depth on the team nervous, and received ample playing time as the defensive line cycled through injury replacements.

Lancaster is still a project, and there’s a no guarantee a player with his pedigree even makes the team, but once a guy like this this sticks once, he tends to stick for awhile.

https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/...-tier-full-of-both-promise-and-disappointment


Only in his 2nd year and already a solid rotational player.
Total steal for GB to get Tyler as an UDFA.


20: Dean Lowry, defensive lineman

In his three seasons, Lowry has become a steady borderline starter for the Packers, whose impact has gradually grown. Interestingly, he played the most snaps of his career in 2018 — just under two-thirds of all defensive snaps — despite the team signing Muhammad Wilkerson in the offseason to take over the starting five-technique spot. Of course, Wilkerson’s broken ankle opened up that role for Lowry once again, while injuries to Mike Daniels around midseason and Kenny Clark late provided him more reps as an interior nickel pass-rusher.

As a tall player at 6-foot-6 and around 300 pounds, Lowry has learned how to use leverage better as his career has progressed, and has put his impressive athleticism to good use despite having particularly short arms for the position. With a career-high three sacks and 44 tackles in 2018, Lowry will enter a contract year as the presumed 5T starter once again with a chance to continue to define a role for himself on third downs.

https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/...first-round-picks-stack-up-after-rookie-years

Maybe Dean won't be a regular on the highlight reel, but he'll be a steady presence.

Whether it'll be w/ the Pack or someone else, Lowry should have a pretty nice 2nd contract to look forward to.