Danny Vitale believes the Green Bay Packers’ new offense will provide an opportunity to do a little bit of everything, which is just fine for the versatile fullback.
In fact, he told Wes Hodkiewicz of the team’s official site that Matt LaFleur’s offense is a “fullback’s dream.”
“It opens up so many opportunities instead of just being a smashing fullback,” Vitale said. “You can bump out and run routes out of the backfield, anything really. The sky’s the limit in this offense for a fullback.”
Vitale may look like The Hulk, but the 239-pounder can do more than just seek out linebackers as a lead blocker. He actually entered the NFL as an accomplished pass-catcher out of Northwestern, and it’s possible LaFleur’s scheme will tap into Vitale’s natural receiving ability in 2019.
During his four years in college, Vitale caught 135 passes while playing running back, fullback, H-back and slot receiver for the Wildcats.
The Packers signed him to the practice squad on Oct. 22 of last year and eventually promoted him to the active roster on Dec. 1. He played in five games, catching one pass for two yards.
Vitale said Hodkiewicz that his versatility at the position and the design of the offense for fullbacks could create “nightmares” for defenses.
Back in February, we here at Packers Wire highlighted how LaFleur arriving in Green Bay could ignite Vitale’s career, noting several of the pass-game concepts that figure to mesh well with the fullback’s skillset.
A versatile, pass-catching fullback can thrive in the LaFleur/Kyle Shanahan offense. Pro Bowler Kyle Juszcyzk produced at least 30 catches each of his first two seasons with Shanahan in San Francisco. He does just about everything for the 49ers offense.
Vitale caught only eight passes during his first three NFL seasons. He’s on his third NFL team and has yet to play a meaningful role in a pro offense, so comparisons to a three-time Pro Bowler are nothing if not premature.
However, sometimes the right player with the right opportunity can create something out of nothing, and Vitale appears to have the kind of versatile skillset capable of adding another wrinkle for LaFleur and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett.
The first step: Making the 53-man roster this summer. Vitale’s journey to dreamland in the Packers’ new offense officially begins July 25.
