The New England Patriots appeared to have curiosity in bringing again an previous staple in 2025.
It’ll possible have to attend after current information, although…
New England made a pair of roster strikes on Tuesday: signing rookie linebacker R.J. Moten and inserting rookie fullback Brock Lampe on injured reserve — ending his season earlier than it even began.
Lampe was an undrafted free agent, so he wasn’t precisely a shoe-in to make the roster, however given the way in which it’s at the moment constructed and the teaching employees’s historic preferences, he had a fairly rattling good probability. I’ve been writing about all of it offseason, however the truth of the matter is that the group as soon as regarded destined to maintain a fullback and now must pivot.
How?
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It’s an attention-grabbing dialog, however it comes right down to one in every of two choices. New England can both signal a alternative or look to tweak their offensive technique.
New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has all the time most popular to hold a fullback on the roster, with Heath Evans, James Develin and Jakob Johnson every filling the function throughout his earlier stints within the group.
The Patriots didn’t present him with one each single yr, nonetheless, which led to totally different wrinkles. Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez famously thrived in two-tight finish units for a few seasons. Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper may present a distinct model of that, or group up with a rookie like CJ Dippre to introduce related ideas in a brand new period. Rhamondre Stevenson, TreVeyon Henderson and Antonio Gibson all have complimentary skillsets, so why not toss them into “pony” packages the place they’ll keep on the sector collectively?
It’s not like there’s a scarcity of choices.
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McDaniels would possibly actually need to have a real choice at fullback, nonetheless, which suggests he may push to carry somebody in to fill the void. It’s slim pickings at this level within the offseason, although.
I can’t significantly argue {that a} rookie free agent fullback taking place goes to doom the season, however it should lead to some type of pivot between the primary week of coaching camp and the primary week of the common season.
How would you method it? Tell us within the feedback!