dbair1967

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Full House

FB Fiammetta Hopes To Catch On Quick

Rob Phillips
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
IRVING, Texas – The waiver process is a bit of a helpless feeling for players, uncertain they'll be claimed by another team -- and if so, by whom.

Waived Saturday by the Carolina Panthers, fullback Tony Fiammetta was relieved to find a legitimate chance with the Cowboys on Sunday morning.

"It's definitely not a great feeling, but I knew there were opportunities out there," Fiammetta said. "My agent was telling me there was interest. I was trying to stay optimistic and luckily things worked out."

The Cowboys had a clear need at fullback after releasing all four candidates over the weekend: incumbent starter Chris Gronkowski, seventh-round draft pick Shaun Chapas, converted tight end Jason Pociask and converted linebacker Isaiah Greenhouse. Chapas and Greenhouse signed to the practice squad, although Greenhouse has now been moved back to linebacker.

Fiammetta, a fourth-round pick of the Panthers in 2009, appeared in 24 career games with five catches and 22 rushing yards on seven carries. But the Cowboys hope his blocking will be an asset to the running game.

"Fullbacks are more scarce in this league than they've been in a number of years, and he was a guy that we liked coming out of school," head coach Jason Garrett said. "When he became available, we just thought it was a good idea for us to give him an opportunity and see what he can do.

"He practiced a little today, so it will be a work in progress for him to understand what our system of football is and hopefully he'll be able to pick it up fairly quickly. We'll see if he's able to help us this week at some point."

Fiammetta said the Cowboys' offensive terminology is similar to Carolina's. There's a common influence: new Panthers offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski worked under Norv Turner, Jason Garrett's mentor, in San Diego.

"From looking at them in the past it seems like they like to use a fullback a lot," Fiammetta said. "When I came on the waiver wire I'd like to think I could help a team win. It looks like they wanted a fullback that could help the run game out."
 

Theebs

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Glad to hear he didn't end up on ir. Still confused why he hasn't played all summer and now is ok.
 
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Cr122

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If he's healthy again he'll be an upgrade for sure. He's one hell of a blocker, and he can run the ball some as well.
 

dbair1967

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Glad to hear he didn't end up on ir. Still confused why he hasn't played all summer and now is ok.

I found some info that said he played in their first preseason game, then got a concussion and had been out since. They claimed Detroit's FB Felton who was released before they cut him.

It was never reported, but I wonder if we put a waiver claim in on him as well.
 

dbair1967

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Found a scouting report on him from 2009:


Scouting report: Syracuse's Tony Fiammetta
PUBLISHED Friday, Apr 24, 2009 at 1:39 pm EDT
Russ Lande

Strengths: Is well-built, looking the part of an NFL fullback. Is smart, athletic and versatile enough to be a weapon at fullback, H-back or, occasionally, tight end. Has quick feet and a deceptive burst through the hole as a ballcarrier. Runs hard and has the strength and balance to run through arm tackles. Is an effective cut blocker. Is willing to deliver a blow to the defender in the hole. Will lock up the defender long enough to keep him from making a play. Is very effective making wham blocks on defensive tackles. Can contain defenders out of the play to open the off-tackle hole. Consistently stands up pass rushers (even defensive ends) and keeps them out of the play.

Weaknesses: Is a little stiff, struggling to get low and lead block with good leverage. Needs to stop blocking defenders high. Cannot twist to catch the ball consistently out of the backfield. Is an upright runner who does not lower his shoulder to deliver a blow to the defender.

Bottom line: Fiammetta is not well known because he played on a bad Syracuse team, but he is the best fullback prospect in this year's draft. He needs to work on blocking with more leverage but has the size, strength and competitiveness to be a dominant blocker. Fiammetta is a strong ballcarrier who consistently gains yards after contact but will not be an effective short-yardage runner until he learns to run with a lower pad level. He should start early in his career. If he can learn to get lower while running and blocking, Fiammetta could become an elite NFL fullback.


Read more: http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/sto...report-syracuses-tony-fiammetta#ixzz1XARMcjuv
 

dbair1967

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Here's another:

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/524093

Overview
The team's starting fullback his last two years, Fiammetta did not get many opportunities to touch the ball, but the team captain developed into one of the Orange's few bright spots. He also proved to be a capable receiver coming out of the backfield, as the Athletic Director's Honor Roll member pulled down 28 combined passes as a junior and senior.

Fiammetta was rated the 25th-best overall prospect in the Mid-Atlantic region by Super Prep during his senior year at Walkersville High School, but missed most of season after he suffered a left leg fracture in the season opener. He rushed for 144 yards and three touchdowns on 19 carries in that game before being sidelined.

Fiammetta added All-East Region accolades from Prep Star as the team captain during his junior year. In four seasons with the football team, he gained 499 yards on 60 carries 8.32 avg) and posted 12 touchdowns. He lettered on the wrestling team as a junior, competing in the 215-pound weight class. He also lettered four times as a midfielder for the school's lacrosse team.

Fiammetta enrolled at Syracuse in 2004, performing on the scout team. In 2005, he saw action with the special teams in 10 contests, recording one solo tackle in the season finale vs. Louisville. He played in every game as a reserve fullback in 2006, gaining just 15 yards on eight carries, but also returned three kickoffs for 32 yards (10.7 avg).

As a junior, Fiammetta earned eight starting assignments in 11 games, sitting out the Buffalo game as a precaution after suffering a concussion vs. Rutgers. He only carried three times for 8 yards, coming up with 12 receptions for 75 yards (6.2 avg) while registered four touchdown-resulting blocks and 39 knockdowns.

In 2008, Fiammetta started 12 contests, missing the South Florida clash due to a left leg contusion. He made the most of his five rushing attempts, generating 66 yards (13.2 avg) and also pulled down 16 passes for 127 yards (7.9 avg) and his only touchdown for his career. He continued to excel on special teams, causing two fumbles while making four tackles (3 solos).

Analysis
Positives: Very solid build in the upper and lower bodies with long arms. Lines up with his hand down on the line, as well as in motion and in the backfield. Quick to get to the edge when in motion. Takes outs the linebackers and safeties in the hole with a nice pop. Sustains his blocks through the whistle by locking on and moving his feet. Good hands, and can adjust to low throws or those behind him. Runs through cut blocks in the open field. Quick set in pass protection; able to handle oncoming blitzers. Sorts through trash to neutralize the middle linebacker, and has the strength to put him to the ground.

Negatives: Not the wide-chested thumper some teams prefer. A bit slow getting into his routes as a receiver. Gives good effort blocking on the line, but gets ripped off too often. Will be more effective in an H-back or true fullback position because of his lack of height. Whiffs too much as a cut blocker. Lacks flexibility and lateral quickness, which allows defenders to run around or get off his blocks in space.

Compares To: LAWRENCE VICKERS, Cleveland -- Fullback is becoming an endangered species in the NFL, and while some teams might look to convert Fiammetta to an H-Back, his route running just isn't up to snuff to handle those duties. He is better served on dump-offs as a receiver and has proven that he is incapable of carrying the ball. He is an efficient lead blocker thanks to quick feet and impressive strength, but must be conscious of playing at a low pad level to prevent defenders from neutralizing him and using him to clog the rush lane.

Scouting Report
GENERAL REPORT: GRADE: 5.96

Body Structure: Fiammetta has a rare-sized, wide, thick frame with good upper body muscle development, thick thighs and calves and muscular arms, but just adequate balance for a player his size. His frame has reached maximum development capacity, but he is still adding power. He has natural muscles and minimal body fat, doing a good job of passing the eye test.

Athletic Ability: For his position, Fiammetta shows good quickness, but just adequate balance. He has too much tightness in his hips, but demonstrates average body control coming out of his stance, good acceleration to the holes and the initial burst needed to get into the rush lanes. He plays much quicker than his timed speed, especially when stepping up to lead through the rush lanes. He shows good acceleration in the second level and good, functional strength. He is a bit of a liability as a short-yardage runner, as he gets too upright in his stance and his hip stiffness is evident when he struggles to adjust to the ball in flight as a receiver. GRADE: 5.4

Football Sense: Fiammetta is a very smart player, garnering Academic Director's Honor Roll recognition as a senior. He shows very good ability to learn and retain plays, along with above average field vision and the ability to adjust on the move. He plays with good strength and explodes into defenders on contact. GRADE: 6.5

Character: Fiammetta has no off-field issues and displays an attitude where football is very important to him. He comes from a supportive family and has developed into a leader by example type. He is well-liked by teammates and the coaching staff, who say he is the most stable character on the team. GRADE: 6.0

Competitiveness: Fiammetta has a nasty attitude as a blocker, constantly looking for defenders to attack, but can get a bit reckless with his hands, which sees him pushed back when he starts swinging wildly. He sees coverages develop quickly and keeps his head on a swivel, doing a nice job of adjusting to the blitz, but is not an effective cut blocker due to his lack of lateral agility needed to angle and redirect. He will play with pain and has an aggressive nature, but is not the type that will trash talk on the field. GRADE: 5.9

Work Habits: Fiammetta is a hard worker in practices and the weight room. He is a team-first type, coachable and displays a fighter's mentality in the trenches. He is a self-motivated sort who is durable, strong and focused. He can handle hard coaching and shows good off-field training habits, evident by his performances in the weight room and the speed agilities at the NFL Combine (just failed to impress in the shuttle and three-cone drills). GRADE: 6.0

ATHLETIC REPORT: GRADE: 5.27

Initial Quickness: Fiammetta has good quickness off the ball and to the hole, but needs to attack the line at a lower pad level. His burst and leg drive to the line allows him to quickly gain advantage on the defender as a lead blocker, when he does not get too upright. His ability to get out on the edge allows him to quickly pick up stunts and games in pass protection, but must do a better job of keeping his hands inside his framework to generate better force behind his punch. GRADE: 5.6

Acceleration/Burst: Fiammetta has more built-up speed than instant acceleration, but gets into the holes quickly. In the second level, he has the quickness to stalk, but will struggle to neutralize the linebackers as an upfield blocker because of stiff hips and his upright stance that causes him to not lead with his shoulder. He is more of a straight-line runner with minimal cutting ability, and in rare chances as a runner he did not generate enough burst through the line of scrimmage to make the initial tackler miss. GRADE: 5.0

Instincts/Balance: Fiammetta has adequate balance and needs to stay lower in his pads upon contact. When he does sink his weight, he keeps his leg base wide and does a very nice job of delivering forearm shots to clear out the rush lanes. He gives a strong effort widening the off-tackle hole and shows good aggression in attempts to sustain. He does a good job of locating short-area targets and reading keys when lead blocking, but must learn to take better angles as a cut blocker. GRADE: 5.8

Inside Running: Fiammetta is best as a head-on runner, as he fails to show enough pick-and-slide agility to bounce off tackle. He will generally run high in his pads, and he can be pushed back in the hole when he does not generate enough leg drive to move the pile. He is just the type of player you want as a lead blocker, but it's doubtful he can handle short-yardage rushing chores (89 yards and no touchdowns on 16 carries for his career, but one was a 58-yarder). GRADE: 4.4

Outside Running: He is more of a north-south runner, if that, and has never shown in college or the prep ranks that he could be counted on to carry the load, even in short-yardage situations. GRADE: 4.4

Elusiveness: There is not much shake or wiggle to Fiammetta when he does get an opportunity to run or catch the ball. He might be good to make at least one cut, but is the type that would prefer to run over a defender rather than around him. GRADE: 4.5

Tackle-Breaking Strength: Fiammetta is more powerful as a lead blocker than as a ball carrier. He has good power to move the pile when he keeps a low pad level and will not hesitate to toss his body around. He gets good leverage and explosion on contact when he does not get upright in his stance (will get pushed back when he does). He is better blocking inside than in space, as he shows better angling in the short area than on the second-level moves. GRADE: 6.3

Tendency to Fumble: This category does not apply, as he did not get enough carries to get a good evaluation.

Receiving Skills: Fiammetta could see some activity as an H-back due to his ability to settle in the soft spots and secure the ball with his large hands. He is not able to adjust to the ball on longer patterns, struggling to twist and turn to look the ball in. He is not thrown the ball much, but shows good ball security and hands. GRADE: 5.6

Route Running : On dump-offs and screens, he is a quality safety valve, but on other patterns he fails to live up to his timed speed and struggles to locate the ball or adjust to outside the shoulder throws. GRADE: 4.8

Blocking Ability: Fiammetta does a good job of moving his feet and using his hands to lock out defenders in attempts to widen the rush lane as a lead blocker. He shows good aggression into the hole, but must work on keeping his center of gravity lower. When he stays low, he can explode behind his blocks and move out the pile. He will get a little wild with his hands, but when he keeps them inside the frame he generates enough punch to stymie the pass rushers and blitzers. GRADE: 6.3

Compares To: LAWRENCE VICKERS, Cleveland -- Fullback is becoming an endangered species in the NFL, and while some teams might look to convert Fiammetta to an H-Back, his route running just isn't up to snuff to handle those duties. He is better served on dump-offs as a receiver and has proven that he is incapable of carrying the ball. He is an efficient lead blocker thanks to quick feet and impressive strength, but must be conscious of playing at a low pad level to prevent defenders from neutralizing him and using him to clog the rush lane.

OVERALL GRADE: 5.38

--Report by Dave-Te' Thomas
 
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The addage of if a coach likes a player coming out of college, they'll always like them appears to hold true here.

I don't have much hope for the player, but then again, I haven't liked any fullback we've had in years.
 

dbair1967

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The addage of if a coach likes a player coming out of college, they'll always like them appears to hold true here.

I don't have much hope for the player, but then again, I haven't liked any fullback we've had in years.

hater
 
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