Sixth-Round Pick Dan Vitale Is Cut
September 2nd, 2016
The guy couldn’t block. Simple as that.
Joe has confirmed that the Bucs cut fullback/tight end/superback Dan Vitale today.
It’s never shocking when a sixth-rounder is cut. And while Vitale came in with a lot of hype out of Northwestern, today’s move is really no surprise.
As Joe watched Vitale perform in camp and preseason, it was clear he struggled with blocking. In one practice, Joe wrote about Vitale lined up as a fullback and hesitating on the lead block. Doug Martin beat him to the line of scrimmage on that play.
Vitale also was rough on blitz pickups in the preseason, a fact Joe discussed with him last week. And Vitale was candid that he had a long way to go. It didn’t get much better on Wednesday night.
Of course, Vitale is ripe for the Bucs’ practice squad, unless he gets a better offer elsewhere.
Mike Alstott won’t like this.
September 2nd, 2016 at 9:48 am
I didn’t think we drafted him for blocking. I thought we drafted him for a pass catching te on passing downs. maybe the practice squad is best for him, if he even get offered it.
September 2nd, 2016 at 9:50 am
Wow, I didn’t expect this. I thought he was going to be our “Superback”
September 2nd, 2016 at 9:50 am
Saying he can’t block is wrong. He couldn’t pass block. But he could run block…you know…like a full back is supposed to do.
September 2nd, 2016 at 9:53 am
Practice squad
September 2nd, 2016 at 9:54 am
Not sure Brandon Myers did anything to earn a spot either.
Stocker, Brate, ASJ, Myers, Cross. Who led the team in receiving yards and TD last year? And how many did he play?
#nottodaysatannottoday
September 2nd, 2016 at 9:55 am
Hope he makes the practice squad. With his measurables and desire I think he just needs more time.
September 2nd, 2016 at 9:56 am
Lol, so funny how so many posters were all excited about this 6th round pick.
September 2nd, 2016 at 9:57 am
@DB55. I agree with you. Myers didn’t earn the spot; he got it gift-wrapped because nobody took it from him. I think Vitale has a future. He does need to get better on all phases of blocking but his speed considering his size and his hands could be real assets for him. I hope nobody claims him and he has a chance to develop on our practice squad. I said the same thing about Hump when he was on our practice squad and now the kid has earned himself the #3 WR job.
September 2nd, 2016 at 9:58 am
Full back position is irrelevant in todays passing league most teams dont even carry one. Good luck superback
September 2nd, 2016 at 9:59 am
It is actually a good sign that not all the draft picks make the team. As the team builds depth…it should get tougher. Also, it seems they found a diamond in the rough with Luke Rhodes.
September 2nd, 2016 at 9:59 am
Hopefully Vitale will be brought back for the practice squad and can continue to develop. I was intrigued by his combination of size, speed and the pass catching ability he showed in College.
September 2nd, 2016 at 10:01 am
I would be very happy if Vitale made the PS. I just don’t expect him to make it that far.
September 2nd, 2016 at 10:05 am
Would rather keep Cross and Vitale than Mr. 5 yard hitch Brandon Myers.
Is it true that the most tenured buc is Datson with 6years as a buc? I ask bc like Vitale we seem to cut a lot of talent. Seems hard to build a team when you let go of so much talent and potential.
September 2nd, 2016 at 10:05 am
Man o man how I love reading good common sense K2..
September 2nd, 2016 at 10:05 am
Did Joe know about the Vitale cut before he wrote the Myers article?………that’s OK…but just curious…
And…..some of these players making the cut will be replaced later on.
September 2nd, 2016 at 10:06 am
NOOOO not the Great White Hype! However will we get through the season without a fullback that cant pickup pass protection?
September 2nd, 2016 at 10:11 am
Drake Dunsmore: Part Deux
September 2nd, 2016 at 10:11 am
Licht’s late round picks haven’t been working out too well.
September 2nd, 2016 at 10:19 am
Why don’t you have an app yet?
September 2nd, 2016 at 10:28 am
An app would be cool..
September 2nd, 2016 at 10:31 am
Lol SeasonTix. That is my thought exactly. I do wonder what the fascination is with him. I think you were alluding to one of my suspicions as the basis of this fascination. The dude was a 6th round pick and DB is crying over us letting go of him as if he was a first rounder that didn’t work out. Newsflash, most 6th rounders don’t make it. Some play a year or two on special teams until they wash out. He was taken in the 6th round because there were approximately 190 college players that were viewed as having more potential than him. If you were the 191st ranked college football player there is a very good chance you will not be a “superback” in the NFL.
September 2nd, 2016 at 10:31 am
Tampabaybucfan Says:
September 2nd, 2016 at 10:11 am
Licht’s late round picks haven’t been working out too well.
6th round picks have about a 15% chance of earning a 2nd contract in the NFL.
September 2nd, 2016 at 10:37 am
Wasn’t TomBrady and Antonio Brown 6th round picks, I had “super hype hopes” about this kid. I do hope he lands on the practice squad because I do believe he is a football player “a schiano man”.
September 2nd, 2016 at 10:39 am
Prediction: ASJ will go down in week 2 with a shoulder injury, Vitale gets called up from practice squad. Career resurrected.
September 2nd, 2016 at 10:44 am
I watch and follow alot of NFL teams and games…
Our roster and depth suks
Tampa fans better realize all Jason Licht is Forrest Gump with man boobs disorder
“Drafting is like a box of chocolates. You never know what your going to get” J Lichtbulb
September 2nd, 2016 at 10:46 am
Mike Alstott won’t like that a player that didn’t earn his way on to the roster because he wasn’t ready was cut? Hmmmmm… I doubt that.
September 2nd, 2016 at 10:49 am
lol rrsq – the obligatory “Brady was taken in the 6th round” comment. You’re right, the hall of fame is littered with 6th round draft picks!
September 2nd, 2016 at 10:53 am
I know fake @$$ kobe eye for talent can eat a d@$! ..
September 2nd, 2016 at 10:59 am
I watch and follow a lot NFL teams. I told y’all seattle starting five new O line, giddy pre season game Russell Wilson was getting slathered. Green Bay all Rodgers or bust, defense acreage,carolina old @$$ s@$! and it showed over the pre season. Pittsburgh great offense, young defense. Arizona Arians knows his only issue is the lack of pedigree at QB. Dallas should I even mention. Its unfortunate but we see the vikes situation. Pats about to go 0 and 4 wit out Brady. No Chandler Jones no Rob Ninkovich. Who the h3ll are you looking at that is so unstoppable.
September 2nd, 2016 at 11:02 am
Touchdown Tampa Bay your suspicions are 100% legit. Based strictly on talent he probably should not have been drafted and it should be no shock he did not survive the final cut. It’s fine to roll the dice late round on a guy with size, speed and not much else, but guys like that are a dime a dozen and they typically become fan favs for only one obvious reason, and it ain’t merit.
September 2nd, 2016 at 11:11 am
I hope this will be the end of using Dan Vitale’s name in the same sentence as an all-time Buccaneer great.
September 2nd, 2016 at 11:14 am
People who have never played the game on a HS or college level truly don’t know what bump up the Pro’s are. I played in college and looking back at it yrs removed, I was average..at best. When you hit the pro’s, the learning curve is fast and tough. You got other guys smarter, quicker and maybe even stronger than you. It helps to maybe have had a pro workout connection before reporting to camp. And that still means nothing a lot of times. I hear Vitale was strong. But that alone guarantees nothing He’s probably not pro material. I doubt he makes the practice squad. Good luck to him for at least giving it his all.
September 2nd, 2016 at 11:15 am
Why don’t you delusional fans face reality, Jason Licht SUCK as a GM.
September 2nd, 2016 at 11:16 am
Waiving Vitale speaks well for the team’s depth.
It’s tough for even draft picks to make the roster on a deep team, especially 5th round & higher.
September 2nd, 2016 at 11:17 am
James Whalen, 2.0. He was a “Whalen” of a catch!
September 2nd, 2016 at 11:21 am
Pickgrin are you sure about that stat? 15% of 6th rounders recieving a SECOND contract seems extremely high.
September 2nd, 2016 at 11:41 am
I would like to see him make the PS. He has incredible physical gifts and talent. Maybe he just needs time to get some coaching. If he doesn’t make the PS, then that means we are getting better as a team.
September 2nd, 2016 at 11:41 am
Maybe Dominik could call in a favor from Michael “Blocking Icon” Clayton to come in and tutor Vitale on the finer points. Clayton owes him for life for that outrageous second contract.
September 2nd, 2016 at 12:25 pm
Was hoping he’d make the team because of his versatility but he’s raw and has solid competition with the depth at TE. Seems like he’d be a decent practice squad player, where he can sit and develop.
September 2nd, 2016 at 12:31 pm
Vitale will be picked up by someone…
—–
September 2nd, 2016 at 1:34 pm
It’s funny how some players get hyped for no reason. We’re all probably guilty of it at some time or another (Manziel anyone?!). Bell, Vitale, and other guys will just have to work harder if they want to play in the NFL.
Good luck Vitale!
September 2nd, 2016 at 2:57 pm
not so super?? ;(
September 2nd, 2016 at 4:38 pm
But everyone told me this was the next Mike Alstott!?!
However I hope they sign him to the practice squad and see what happens. He was more of a runner/catcher than blocker coming out of college and players can be slow to pick that part of their game up. Alstott got a bad rap as being someone that couldn’t block all that well based on early struggles and obviously he turned out to be Mike Alstott. Unlike the hype train people I look at this as another late round FB wasted pick to go along with last years pick of a FB that was much more of a runner than a blocker, but Vitale has a lot more talent so hopefully he’ll figure it out. If not WWE’s facilities are right down the road and he absolutely looks like a guy that could be a pro-wrestler so perhaps he ends up there.
September 2nd, 2016 at 4:53 pm
Vitale was hyped by fans for being a white guy who might have some versatile offensive skill. He didn’t catch well, block well or run well in actual games against other 3rd and 4th string players. It was obvious. He hasn’t got enough of anything to make it in this league, and the Bucs wisely have chosen to move on.
For those of you mocking Licht, he’s doing a heck of a lot better than Dominik or Allen ever did. And the scouting department is lights out in finding the better UDFA’s to bring in. Licht is responsible for choosing those guys too. And for hiring Koetter. So if you’re mocking his decision making, you might as well trash the entire team along the way – as most of it now has his fingerprints all over it.
September 2nd, 2016 at 6:13 pm
Vitale signs with the Pats and win the SB