Panthers 4th Round Pick FB Tony Fiammetta - Syracuse
by Jaxon on May 4, 2009 10:41 PM EDT
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Round 4, Pick 28 (128) Tony Fiammetta FB 6'0" 245 Syracuse
Upside: Grade A
Tony (Placido) Fiammetta has the size, strength and toughness to play fullback for the Panthers for many years to come. He led all RB's at the combine with 30 reps on the bench and was the top ranked fullback on many scouts boards simply for his ability to deliver a block. Fiammetta is also known for his ability to cut block DT's and stone crashing DE's long enough to execute most running plays. When you throw is his ability to catch the ball you can understand why he has a lot of upside. Fiammetta will also have the benefit of learning behind the best FB in Panther history (IMO) in Brad Hoover for a season or two.
Off the field Fiammetta brings the type of background the Panthers love. His father, whom he credits for his self-discipline and work ethic, is a long-time Marine who just returned from a tour Afghanistan just in time for the draft. In addition to football, Fiammetta also lettered four years at Syracuse in High School in Lacrosse. He had to be every opposing lacrosse players' nightmare, a 245 lb center-mid who can run a 4.6! Fiammetta loves contact sports and he seems like a guy who can (if asked) add a new dimension to the Panther offense.
Downside: Grade B
The only real negative in the scouting reports is Fiammetta stays too high with his blocks and is not flexible in his upper body when catching the ball. So don't expect any Calvin Johnson-type catches from the guy. The worst case scenario with this pick in my view is he ends up no more than a straight blocker, similar to his new mentor, except with fresher legs.
Fit: Grade A
There is no doubt where this guy fits. He at some point sooner or later will be the starting fullback on a run-oriented offense. He could simply fulfill the same role as Brad Hoover or as previously pointed out he could add a receiving element to the position should the Panthers chose to utilize it. He could even be considered for an H-back role or even a 3rd TE utilized in certain packages. The final fit might be on special teams. Fiammetta seems to think he can excel on kick coverage as well.
In summary I think Tony Fiammetta would have to really bomb in training camp to not stay on the roster. The Panthers have always brought in a FB to two to challenge Hoover and every year the challenger gets cut. I think that changes this year.
Player specific links:
- Here's my favorite part of his Q&A on Panthers.com:
On what he likes about Panthers' fullback Brad Hoover: I've noticed his consistency and his professionalism. It seems like every play matters to him. Just watching him last year, he was on fire from the fullback position. He was making blocks everywhere and opening up holes. If I can get to that level one day I would be more than excited.
- The Hoov was on fie-ya! I love it. I also love the ending of this little excerpt from mini-camp titled "He just needed to hit something".
- If anyone can find video on this guy please post to a link because I haven't found squat. I wouldn't mind some footage of him playing Lacrosse either.
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Beautiful
This might open up some of the offense if he can also run the ball. Having a base package where any number of things can happen makes defenses insane.
Backup TE?
I wonder if the Panthers might consider releasing or trading Rosario or Barnidge to make room on the roster to carry two FBs (i.e. both Hoover and Fiammetta)? If he’s such a great blocker, he might provide an even better element lined up TE in some formations with two RBs (or a RB and Hoover) in the backfield. Then, you can playaction to those guys and pass it to Fiammetta…or power run to his side of the line.
Now, that may just be a pipe-dream. The Panthers seem to be okay with carrying King, Rosario, and Barnidge at the TE position. But Fiammetta’s flexibility could allow them to trim the stable of TEs to let them carry another player at a different position on the roster.
Just a thought,
—Neil
Barnidge
I think we have seen what Rosario can do. I really don’t think he will grow anymore. I think with Gary he can grow and show something in this league. If I could find what Mel Kiper said about him in last year’s draft, I will post a link. He made me fall in love with him through highlights and statistics. Kiper made some analogies that I can not think of that would be an honor to any TE. I think we will end up getting rid of a TE and someone on the OL but if it is Gary then we are making a terrible decision.
some stuff.....
Barnidge was another Cardinal who received some praise from a member of the four letter network, as none other than Mel Kiper Jr. referred to him as his “second favorite pick” of day two. – Card Chronicle
Possible Fantasy Sleeper: Gary Barnidge, TE – Usually when Mel Kiper Jr. loves a guy, we stay away from him. Too much draft analysis is based on “measureables” (40-yard dash time, bench press, height, weight, etc.) when collegiate productivity (with strength of opponent considered) should be much more of a factor. Barnidge is one of those ultra-productive college players. He is a tall target with great hands who presents an upgrade over Jeff King in his ability to stretch the middle of the field and even get yards after the catch.
- whatifsports
http://lovewithoutnagel.wordpress.com/2008/06/04/lwn-interviews-carolina-panther-gary-barnidge/
Interview with this guy who says in the intro….
Recently TheSportsRooster staff got the chance to speak with former Middleburg High School (FL) andLouisville TE Gary Barnidge. He was drafted in the 5th round of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers. NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. called Barnidge "a late round steal."
...Can't grow anymore?
He’s a third-year player who spent a lot of time at FB in college. He’s CERTAINLY got room to grow.
PS: Barnidge was also compared to the Cowboys’ Jay Novacek during the draft. However, looking at this year’s Louisville offense, it strikes me that maybe he was just one of the few legit receiving options they had, which inflated his stats and tape.
by MichaelProcton on May 5, 2009 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Thank you for the Comparison
It slipped my mind. As for Rosario Michael, I think he does have room to grow. Do I think he will be able to grow anymore is the real question? If we pass the ball to him a lot maybe but I can only see him helping us in short yardage situations and the red zone. We don’t use the TE a lot but if we give Gary a shot, I imagine we could use him as a WR type TE like a Tony G or Gates. Rosario gives us some different looks as far as being a player who can play FB if we only want 2 TE’s but I don’t think he is as talented as Gary. If Gary gets a bigger role this year, he learned how to block last year (since that is all he did) he now can show us how he can do on the routes and catching. Gary will grow into a fantastic player if we give him a chance.
Hmm...
I’m not sure having a guy playing as an in-line blocker at TE at 6’0" is the best idea.
by MichaelProcton on May 5, 2009 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Tony Faimmetta
Tony Fiammetta played and lettered in lacrosse in high school, not at Syracuse where he only played football – for the record.
Thanks for clearing that up
The scouting reports did not make that clear and then when I pulled the SU lacrosse roster I couldn’t find his name which I why I asked the question on the Syracuse site. Time for an edit.
I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com
Okay I'm going to correct myself again
I must have just read the reports incorrectly because as I look it clearly talks about his ‘prep’ career. Just my brain fart I guess thinking he played Lacrosse for Syracuse.
I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com
Maybe I am biased as an Orange fan and Panther fan but I think that Tony is a great pick up for a running team. He is a great guy to have on your team and working with Hoover, could become the best fullback in the league as he develops. I will agree though with Neil in that carrying two fullbacks and two tight ends is better then one fullback and three tight ends. Syracuse had some great yardage last year from the backfield and a lot of that had to do with him leading the way. I love and respect the hell out of Hoover but we do need to plan for the future and I think Tony is it.
I would like
…to see the Panthers using Fiametta and Hoover on the field at the same time.
Grind some yards the hard way- no cleverly over-disguised packages.
Great running teams still get yards when defenses know what is coming, but are still powerless to stop it.
by the bomb dot com on May 6, 2009 2:57 AM EDT reply actions
Hahaha
Let’s break out the full house formation from Madden and have one of the double trouble bros being led by both Fiammetta and Hoover on an end around. I smell pancakes!
Can you imagine how much Hoovers yards per carry would go up following Fiammetta? Bet Hoover would not mind it either.
by Orange Chuck on May 6, 2009 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions
or maybe even vice versa, on some footage ive seen of fiammetta he doesnt go down with the first hit, hoover blockin for him would be nice as well, im definetly liking the full house formation as well.
by saltinedeluxe on May 6, 2009 7:03 PM EDT up reply actions
With Robinson & Otah on the right side
Fiammetta & Hoover in the power I, hard to stop on 4th and 1
I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com
Fiammetta
I am looking forward to seeing this guy in action. It is time that we start looking for Hoover’s replacement while hes still here to help train him. I’ve heard a lot of good things about Fiammetta, I beleive I read that his 40 time is somewhere around 4.6
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