FLOWERS IN BLOOM
Undrafted rookie could fit right in with Gang Green
Building a sustainable winner requires patience, creativity and a clear understanding that pieces that don’t make sense for other teams might make sense for your team. That third component typically trips up most untrained observers. Sure, you need stars to win titles, but not everyone needs to be bound for Canton to get to where you want to go. Role players also win championships as long as you properly identify specific skillsets that fit your system.
The Jets decision to sign undrafted free agent rookie fullback Dimitri Flowers from Oklahoma wasn’t back page material, but it might just turn out to be one of those savvy moves that helps Todd Bowles’ team continue to head in the right direction as they enter the next phase of their rebuilding process. How could that be? Fullbacks are a dying breed in the NFL, after all. Besides, doesn’t Gang Green already have Lawrence Thomas, who converted from the defensive line last season?
“You can move me around everywhere,” Flowers told the Daily News during rookie minicamp last weekend. “I don’t know what they have planned for me. But I can do a lot of different things. I feel like I can do them well. So, whatever the coaches ask me to do, I’m going to try to do.”
Flowers still has plenty to prove before he secures anything with the Jets, but there’s plenty of promise for what he could become in Jeremy Bates’ offense. He has an invaluable trait: Position flexibility.
Let’s rewind to 14 months ago when the Jets quietly had their eyes on Ravens freeagent fullback Kyle Juszczyk. The Jets brain trust wanted Juszczyk before he ultimately signed a four-year deal with the 49ers.
San Francisco also landed veteran quarterback Brian Hoyer, who was represented by the same agent, in what amounted to a de facto package deal for Kyle Shanahan. The Niners used Juszczyk in a variety of roles en route to his second consecutive Pro Bowl.
The 6-2, 250-pound Flowers isn’t a carbon copy of the 6-1, 240-pound Juszczyk, but they each offer versatility to their respective offenses. Flowers can do a variety of things in Bates’ offense much like Juszczyk does in Shanahan’s offense. Remember: The Jets and Niners’ offenses share similar principles from the Mike Shanahan school.
Kyle Shanahan and Bates want specific skill-sets from different pieces to make their offenses go.
Could Flowers be Bates’ swiss-army knife like Juszczyk has been for Shanahan?
First, it’s important to note that there are differences between the two players. Juszczyk was a true tight end at Harvard that routinely flexed out. Flowers, used as everything from a blocker to short-yardage runner to pass-catcher in Lincoln Riley’s scheme, did most of his damage lined up in the backfield. He was part-fullback, part-H-back. He even rushed for 115 yards in his lone game at tailback as a junior.
Here’s an important similarity: Juszczyk and Flowers both have terrific hands. Flowers had 54 receptions in four seasons in college, including 26 for 464 yards and five touchdowns last season. How did someone so big get such soft hands? Well, Flowers wasn’t always a behemoth. He was a do-everything 215-pound running back/wide receiver in high school that packed on plenty of muscle at Oklahoma.
The 6-3, 286-pound Thomas, who did a decent job for the Jets in his transition from defense last season, isn’t guaranteed a spot, either. But he has an altogether different skillset than Flowers.
“I’m excited for the competition,” Flowers said. “Who knows what’s going to happen? We might play two different roles. So, I have no clue what’s going to happen. I just like Coach Bates and the offense he brings. He likes that versatile piece.”
Flowers certainly has the pedigree. His father, Erik, played six NFL seasons as a defensive end after the Bills took him with the No. 26 overall pick in 2000. His cousin, Oklahoma State defensive back Tre Flowers, was a fifth-round pick for the Seahawks this year.
Pre-draft rumblings pegged Dimitri Flowers to be a fifth- or sixth-round pick. Getting passed up 256 times will fuel him.
“I always keep a chip on my shoulder,” said Flowers, who also received interest from the Texans, Saints and Bills. “That’s how I’ve always been… especially with this. But I can’t let it control my emotions. At the end of the day, I’m still getting a shot to play in the NFL. And that’s been my dream.”
Flowers now has an opportunity to play with Sam Darnold after winning three Big 12 titles with Baker Mayfield, prompting the obvious question: Who will have the better NFL career: Darnold or Mayfield?
“How are you going to ask me that right now?” Flowers said with a laugh. “That’s insane . ... I plead the fifth.”
If Darnold is who the Jets think he is, the answer will be easy. Flowers might turn into a sneaky good addition too. HOWARD SIMMONS/DAILY NEWS