No fail with Fiammetta

[Brad Thomas]

Replacing Nick Goings isn’t going to be easy, as we first mentioned in our review of the Mike Goodson pick.
Goings was versatile, but didn’t do any one thing really well.

One of his duties was special teams and serving as a backup fullback.

The Panthers took a big step on Sunday drafting fullback Tony Fiammetta from Syracuse, who was widely regarded as the top fullback available in this years’ draft.

Fiammetta, a powerful run blocker, should fit right in here in Carolina.

“I couldn’t be more excited,” Fiammetta said. “I’ve been looking forward to this moment my entire life. To be a fullback and go to such a powerful running offense, it’s just an honor. To block for Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams, it’s going to be a great time, and I’m looking forward to learning from (Brad) Hoover. It’s going to be a great situation.”

“He’s athletic, he blocks well and we just thought he was a very good fit for us,” said Panthers GM Marty Hurney.

Not only will Fiammetta be asked to replace Goings immediately, but he looks to be the heir apparent to mainstay and fan favorite Brad Hoover.

“I’m going to go into mini-camp this weekend and take it day-by-day,” he said. “I’m going to go out and give it my all and learn from the veterans and do my best everyday and let the chips fall where they may.”

Fiammetta comes from a family with a military background, having a father that instilled values and work ethic in him at a young age.

“My father is my biggest role model, and I’ve learned a ton of things from him,” Fiammetta said. “The biggest gift that he has given me though has been the lesson of self discipline, and I’ve carried that through my career at Syracuse and I’m going to do it while I’m in the NFL as well.”

“To be a good football player you have to be a self-disciplined kind of guy. It takes self discipline everyday to just wake up and do the right things - go watch film, stay out of trouble off the field and motivate your teammates. I was a team captain at Syracuse, so I really had to lead by example. I tried to do that everyday when I was there.”

“I know I’m going to be learning under Brad Hoover, who I’ve admired for years,” said Fiammetta. “I’m going to learn some great things from him and I’m going to get better and better every day.”

[Brad Thomas]

yeah, this was a great pick IMO. There is no way he won't make the team.

[kenneth picklesimer]

i'm Really glad we draft him & i think he'll be better than Hoover & if we try to Hide him on the PS we will lose him