Mike Reiss ‏@MikeReiss

Per colleague @FieldYates, the Patriots have reinstated FB Tony Fiammetta to the active roster from the reserve/left squad list.

Do we keep him?  His contract rolled over.  More smashmouth if we keep him

Mike Loyko ‏@NEPD_Loyko

The #Patriots have a new/old FB. Tony Fiammetta has been reinstated. He took the year off to deal with a family matter and is now active.

This post has been removed.

In response to RidingWithTheKing's comment:

Getty Images

Guard Robert Gallery wasn’t the only player to check out of Patriots camp on Saturday.

The team also announced that fullback Tony Fiammetta has been placed on the exempt/left squad list. The Patriots didn’t explain why Fiammetta, who was absent from several practices leading up to the roster move, left the squad.

Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com reports that Fiammetta left to take care of a family issue and that he will not return to the team this year. He hopes to return to the Patriots in 2013. He was far from a lock to make the Patriots, who don’t feature a fullback all that often and also have Spencer Larsen bidding for playing time at the position, this season, so it is difficult to imagine that a year off will help his chances of making the team.

The Patriots signed Fiammetta as a free agent in March after he spent time with the Cowboys and Panthers over the last two seasons. The Patriots also announced that they have signed veteran defensive back Derrick Martin and running back Kareem Huggins to take the roster spots vacated by Fiammetta and Gallery.

For what it's worth...

http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2009-04-24/scouting-report-syracuses-tony-fiammetta

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.

Maybe he's well suited to play in Goodell's NFL since he "does not lower his shoulder to deliver a blow to the defender." Isn't that what they want ballcarriers to do now?

In response to Muzwell's comment:

Also related people thing the reinstatement is because some team will sign Hooman to an offer sheet: No way.

1. Bill Adams ‏@BAdams3324

   @MikeReiss @FieldYates what's that mean for Hooman?

   from Dracut, MA  
2. 1h Field Yates ‏@FieldYates

   @BAdams3324 Not sure we can make that statement yet, Bill. Hooman remains an RFA.

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3. 1h Bill Adams ‏@BAdams3324

   @FieldYates could we assume that means another team has interest in Hooman as an RFA he is a late round tender right? Small $ good player

   from Dracut, MA  

Field Yates ‏@FieldYates

@BAdams3324 I'd be very, very surprised if another team signs Hooman to an offer sheet.

In response to jjdbrasil's comment:

http://lombardiave.com/2013/03/18/controversial-ball-carrier-rule-to-be-addressed-at-nfl-meetings/