FOXBORO — Patriots large receiver Diggs referred to as defensive deal with/fullback Khyiris Tonga “the perfect two-way participant within the league” on Tuesday.
Correction: Tonga, who’s 6-foot-2, 335 kilos, is a three-way participant.
“That’s a man that performs on three phases,” head coach Mike Vrabel mentioned. “Helped us win defensively, helped us win offensively, after which goes on the market and stands in the way in which of three guys on the sphere purpose safety unit.”
Vrabel mentioned the concept of attempting Tonga on offense as a fullback was a “group effort” as a result of the Patriots had been trying so as to add extra dimension at fullback to “attempt to push the pile slightly bit.”
Tonga did have some expertise on offense, as nicely. He started out as a decent finish in highschool.
The Patriots even have a extra athletic possibility with Westover, who has elevated his position at fullback, as nicely, in current weeks.
Vrabel, who was additionally a three-way participant with the Patriots as a linebacker, tight finish and special-teamer, has been impressed with Tonga’s get-off within the two video games he’s been used at fullback. The large defensive deal with is spry for his dimension and ran a 5.1-second 40-yard sprint popping out of BYU in 2021.
“It’s spectacular … simply how rapidly he will get out of his stance,” Vrabel mentioned. “He’s been in a position to get out in entrance of the working again. Typically fullbacks are slightly slower, they’re out of part with the runner and the runners run up their heels.”
