James Develin, jack of all trades, is now a roster lock


On December 1, 2013, the Houston Texans must have known the play that Patriots QB Tom Brady called down by the goal line. For a fullback to play all 16 games, and carry the ball only 4 times from scrimmage, Wade Phillips must be a defensive genius. The Texans knew the play, and James still shook off all 4 tacklers to get into the end zone for his only touchdown of the season.



If you throw in the four receptions for 62 yards, you have the same yards per reception as Jordy Nelson of the Green Bay Packers, good for 18th in the NFL for 2013. Jordy just signed for $39 million for 4 years. James is in a different tax bracket.

The former Brown University defensive end has found a home with the Patriots. Used as a primary blocker from the fullback position in the two back set, James is now being asked to work from the line as a tight end.



This past week, we learned of the death of FB Robert Newhouse of the Dallas Cowboys at age 64. Following the trade of RB Calvin Hill to the Washington Redskins, Robert was the featured back until the arrival of RB Tony Dorsett. His most memorable play was the 29 pass to WR Golden Richards following the lateral from QB Roger Staubach in Super Bowl XII in January, 1978 against the Denver Broncos. Having practiced the play rolling to right side 30 times with no completions during the week, Robert went to the left side in the Super Bowl. There was no film to review for the Broncos, because the Cowboys had never attempted this play. Wade Phillips didn’t start coaching in the NFL until 1981.

From defense to offense, from the backfield to the trenches, the only thing left for James Develin to do is to throw a forward pass. He will surely have a high rating than Craig Morton’s 0.0% in Super Bowl XII.

Paul Murphy is a freelance writer from New Hampshire.

Follow me on Twitter at @_prmurphy

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