In-House Heroes
May 9th, 2016
Bucs rookie fullback/superback/tight end Dan Vitale
No one is quite sure what sixth-round pick, “superback” Dan Vitale, will do on the field.
First, he must make the Bucs’ roster, then he has to prove he can contribute on offense and not just be a diverse and fast special teamer.
Is Vitale a fullback? Are Vitale and his soft hands and impressive speed here to turn Austin Seferian-Jenkins into a fourth-stringer?
Those are questions for August. But we do know Vitale is among heroes.
Yes, time is flying and Vitale is a 21-year-old who spent plenty of developmental time marveling at America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, and Mike Evans.
Vitale didn’t back off his excitement to be united with heroes.
“I think it’s awesome. It’s a pretty young team and a lot of great athletes. You have guys like Jameis and [wide receiver] Mike Evans as well. Those are guys I looked up to when I was in college, so it’s pretty cool. It’s going to be pretty awesome playing with those guys.”
It’ll be interesting to see how this entire draft class responds to Jameis, now that he’s a full team leader from Day 1 of the offseason.
Remember, Jameis has been learning how to address defensive players, too.
May 9th, 2016 at 11:17 am
We love the whole super back thing and it’s fun to imagine him as this great Dynamo that causes defenses fits but if he was that good he would most likely been much higher than a 6th round pick. He looks like a stud though! Hope he comes in and kicks some butt!
May 9th, 2016 at 11:21 am
It’s great to have another versatile athlete who can compete on special teams. He might turn out to be a great TE.
May 9th, 2016 at 11:38 am
Vitale = Nick O’Leary 2.0
Pull up their combine measurements and compare. It’s not even close.
May 9th, 2016 at 11:48 am
I have a feeling ASJ, Dye and Murphy will all take their rightful place on the couch or CFL this season. Bucs need to secure a veteran receiver like White or Boldin.
May 9th, 2016 at 11:49 am
Vitale ran a 4.6 40 while O’Leary ran a 4.94
That’s a pretty huge difference
May 9th, 2016 at 12:07 pm
lmao when will the O Leary discussion stop. Jameis made him look decent, thats it
May 9th, 2016 at 12:17 pm
I see more of a Chris Cooley.
May 9th, 2016 at 12:20 pm
O’Leary was a beast at FSU, and came in as a 4 and 5 star recruit. Jameis made everyone look good, but, to dismiss him as lacking talent is ridiculous.
He also tore his hamstring in warmups for the semifinal playoff game. He isn’t as fast, or the athlete as Vitale, but, I think he is faster than his combine numbers, nonetheless.
May 9th, 2016 at 12:52 pm
The most talented TE on this team is ASJ, he had his issues that past two seasons with injuries and a little bit of “me attitude”, but the way you guys write him off is the same way Shaquille left Orlando, the fans said he wasn’t worth it, I’m not saying he is of Shaq’s status, but to think this guy is going to come in and push ASJ to the back burner and even out work him (based on what DK said about ASJ work ethic) is lunacy. Go ahead Bucs fan, run another one out and watch him become someone else’s pro bowler.
May 9th, 2016 at 12:58 pm
@Rrsrq
I agree completely.
May 9th, 2016 at 1:01 pm
Chris Cooley 2.0
May 9th, 2016 at 2:13 pm
If ASJ could just stay healthy we would get off his back. He is a really good TE when healthy, but we haven’t seen that for more than 2 or 3 games yet. Best ability is availability.
May 9th, 2016 at 3:13 pm
Rrsrq
a little bit of “me attitude”
that’s putting it mildly. No one is trying to run ASJ off. Too many of you want to keep putting up with bad and mediocre results / production. I don’t care how much talent someone has if they don’t produce solid results they are useless and part of the problem not the solution. The window for winning in the nfl is very narrow. Being patient on every single player is exactly why the bucs are basement dwellers. Winning is the only thing that matters. You produce or you get tossed to the couch. The bucs need good productive football players not local feel good stories, injury prone me first types and choirboys. Good solid football players who get pissed with losing and do something about it.
May 9th, 2016 at 4:12 pm
Dreambig Says
“We love the whole super back thing and it’s fun to imagine him as this great Dynamo that causes defenses fits but if he was that good he would most likely been much higher than a 6th round pick…”
Ever since last season ended, all I’ve heard on NFL shows is how Fullbacks are “no longer needed in today’s passing league.”
Teams have tuned out the thought of drafting them at all.
Vitale was smart. He saw the passing trend in the pros and formulated his game to fit in it. He’s going to be a historical steal in the draft, watch and see.
If Mike Alsott were to come out this year, he would have gone no earlier than 5 or 6th round himself. Simply because teams do not place the same value on the position anymore.
Really, a kicker has more value.
May 9th, 2016 at 4:21 pm
Rrsrq Says
“The most talented TE on this team is ASJ, he had his issues that past two seasons with injuries and a little bit of “me attitude”, but the way you guys write him off is the same way Shaquille left Orlando, the fans said he wasn’t worth it, I’m not saying he is of Shaq’s status, but to think this guy is going to come in and push ASJ to the back burner and even out work him (based on what DK said about ASJ work ethic) is lunacy. Go ahead Bucs fan, run another one out and watch him become someone else’s pro bowler.”
I like ASJ. A lot. I think he has all kinds of potential IF he an get past the injury issue.
But he is in a contract year. If he doesn’t prove himself THIS YEAR, he won’t be worth keeping next year. You don’t let a guy go without having a potential replacement.
Vitale is a FB, not a tight end. People can just forget about him even playing TE because Koetter uses a lot of 2 back sets.
People seem to think Vitale cannot run the ball. He can. A lot better than he is currently being given credit for. He’s not a finesse runner (except after catch) but he can pound the rock when needed.
He just wasn’t required to do it much in college.
Dirk Koetter has himself a secret weapon in Vitale. Teams will expect him to go out for passes or to block…and Vitale will run it right down their throats. 31 teams underestimated him. When he’s crossing the goal line in a future super bowl, 31 teams will regret it.
May 9th, 2016 at 4:23 pm
LEts face it, Vitale is a long shot. He’s gotta really go out there and get it. Bucs camp is really full of competition this year. And to hell with ASJ, if he can’t stay healthy and contribute then I say drop him like a bad habit. How many seasons we gonna let him hit injured reserve and play in the hot tub!!? That’s been the Bucs problems for a decade now. Ohh this guy has potential and so does this one. meantime we end up with a below 500 season everytime! I’m GD sick and tired of this losing mentality around here. Lets stop being everybody’s doormat and start making the playoffs. The best ABILITY is..AVAILABILITY! There,,done preached my sermon for today!
May 9th, 2016 at 4:35 pm
@Mike Johnson
ASJ being on IR does not effect the team roster one bit. I agree, he needs to prove he can stay healthy.
The common theme is 3 years to prove themselves. This will be his 3rd year. Remember, Gerald McCoy was on IR his first two seasons too, and if we’d have cut him, our Dline would really be horrible.
May 9th, 2016 at 4:36 pm
I have no idea where people get that ASJ has a me-first attitude… That’s completely made up. And by the way, when he’s been on the field he’s produced big-time. There’s no reason to think this guy can’t be a top 5 TE if he can stay healthy. Let’s not write the guy off because he’s had some bad luck. If we made a policy of giving up on players after 2 injury-marred years, McCoy would probably be playing somewhere else. Thankfully, McCoy got healthy for year 3. No reason to think ASJ can’t do the same.
May 9th, 2016 at 4:39 pm
@Mike Johnson-
Here’s why Vitale isn’t a long-shot: the Bucs have no fullback. Vitale played a hybrid role and has experience with FB. He’s a weapon. He’s an athlete. Watch some of his highlights on YouTube. I feel like this guy is a lock because they obviously want a FB on the roster and Vitale is the perfect fit.
May 9th, 2016 at 5:10 pm
I hope you guys are right about Vitale. I’ll wait to jump on the bandwagon till I see him produce against NFL talent. If he does, I’ll be as excited as anyone. Right now he is a 6th round pick and based on historical averages, he has a 6% chance at being a starter, a 36% chance at being on the team after 3 years, and only a 10% chance at being on the team for his second contract. Those are some pretty big odds to beat but if he does, make room cause I’m jumping on board!
May 9th, 2016 at 5:14 pm
My previous post is exactly why Licht is better at drafting than Dominic. Besides for picking better players, Licht makes trades to get additional second round picks. Dominc used to make trades to collect 5th and 6th round picks. Thats also why Licht did not see the need to dump Glennon for a 3rd day draft pick. The law of averages says there just aint no future there boys.
May 9th, 2016 at 6:59 pm
ASJ with a “me attitude”..you couldn’t be more off on that statement..if anything, he is really hard on himself..he is really wanting to get healthy again..didn’t he score like two TDs in the Titans game?.
We don’t need to even think about getting rid of ASJ…and he’s my eye candy too…:)
May 9th, 2016 at 8:54 pm
I think Koetter’s mind is salivating at all of the opportunities a hybrid with speed like Vitale can provide. ASJ’s job is safe but he’s on a “better freaking happen this year” leash. I’m not even sure Vitale will end up threatening too much at TE. I see him in a bunch of tight formations as a FB and others lining up inside or out. All kinds of options for Koetter to throw out of a running formation.