Hobbs should not be running back kick off! - New England Patriots Forums

BelizePats · 09-16-2008, 07:59 AM

I am really impressed with the way Hobbs has played corner back the first two games. He's been excellent and if we can get this level of play from him on a consistent basis and he stays healthy, our D will be surprise a lot of people.
I don't want to see him on kick offs though. He is far too valuable a cb to risk injury while running back kicks.
Why is Slator not our kick returner? Is this not what he was drafted for? If he's not our first line kick returner, why is he on this team?
I trust BB and SP completely and I'm hoping that those who are far smarter than I on this board, can explain it to me. There must be a logical explanation!

Tyler.Durden · 09-16-2008, 08:05 AM

Hobbs and Welker should not be within a wazoo of kr/pr.

Slater & Faulk can handle the responsibilities.

We can't let Hobbs and welker to get injured, they are top playmakers and they would place too much strain on the team if they were to get injured thats for sure. If tom was still under center it's a different story, but he isn't.

***DaBruinz*** · 09-16-2008, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BelizePats

I am really impressed with the way Hobbs has played corner back the first two games. He's been excellent and if we can get this level of play from him on a consistent basis and he stays healthy, our D will be surprise a lot of people.
I don't want to see him on kick offs though. He is far too valuable a cb to risk injury while running back kicks.
Why is Slator not our kick returner? Is this not what he was drafted for? If he's not our first line kick returner, why is he on this team?
I trust BB and SP completely and I'm hoping that those who are far smarter than I on this board, can explain it to me. There must be a logical explanation!

Why do people assume that they know WHY player X was drafted? Is it just because pundit Y said so?

Slater was NOT drafted just because he can return kicks. That is the idiots of this board shooting their mouths off. Slater was, arguably, the BEST special teamer in the draft. NOT because he could run back kicks and punts, but because he played on ALL 4 special teams units. Kick-off coverage, Kick return, Punt Coverage and Punt Returns. And not just as a returner. He's been a gunner and the guy who lines up opposite the gunner. On Kick-offs, he's been the guy who is supposed to get down there first to make the play, whether it was by going around the wedge, through it or letting a wedge breaker open a hole for him.

Its pur fallacy to think that Slater was drafted for just his return ability.

JSn · 09-16-2008, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyler.Durden

Hobbs and Welker should not be within a wazoo of kr/pr.

Slater & Faulk can handle the responsibilities.

We can't let Hobbs and welker to get injured, they are top playmakers and they would place too much strain on the team if they were to get injured thats for sure. If tom was still under center it's a different story, but he isn't.

So far, in real games, Slater CAN'T handle the responsibility.
I hope he gets it and I hope he becomes a speed safety that we desperately need, but I hope he's assessed and chucked soon if he's not going to cut it.

Faulk needs to stay out of it too. He's tough, but I have a feeling he's going to be a lot more than a 3rd Down Back this year. He's going to be another secret weapon to the receiving corps.

I hope Slater gets it, but honestly he's gotta get his crap together. BEing awesome at practice now has NO bearing, imo.

Tyler.Durden · 09-16-2008, 08:16 AM

Slaters return ability was a standout in his college career and it is something that he sems to be good at.

I liked him at safety in the PS. So i have hope that he will continue to pregress.

Tyler.Durden · 09-16-2008, 08:21 AM

I think Jordan can cover the 3rd down back duties if Faulk gets injured.

Slater needs a greater opportunity before you can say he can or can't cut it as a kr/pr in the NFL.

***DaBruinz*** · 09-16-2008, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyler.Durden

Slaters return ability was a standout in his college career and it is something that he sems to be good at.

I liked him at safety in the PS. So i have hope that he will continue to pregress.

Slater was a standout because he was awesome at all aspects of special teams. Not just a kick returner. Sorry if that flies in the face of your reality, but that's fact.

JSn · 09-16-2008, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyler.Durden

I think Jordan can cover the 3rd down back duties if Faulk gets injured.

Slater needs a greater opportunity before you can say he can or can't cut it as a kr/pr in the NFL.

I think Faulk is overall more valuable to the team than Jordan as of game #2. I wouldn't trade one for the other, though, don't get me wrong.

Slater needs more opportunities, but one more drop on a KR before a good return and he's either hitting the bench or hitting the trade table/cut line.

***DaBruinz*** · 09-16-2008, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSn

I think Faulk is overall more valuable to the team than Jordan as of game #2. I wouldn't trade one for the other, though, don't get me wrong.

Slater needs more opportunities, but one more drop on a KR before a good return and he's either hitting the bench or hitting the trade table/cut line.

Do you know how stupid you sound making comments like this? I lost track of the number of kick returns that Kevin Faulk muffed during the first few years he was here.

Also, why do you totally IGNORE that Slater does more than just return kicks? He's on the other 3 units as well.. HELLO ...

The Pats kept Willie Andrews around until he earned his way off the team this off-season. And Andrews was only out on 2 units. What makes you think that the Pats are going to get rid of someone who plays on all 4 special teams units?

Sicilian · 09-16-2008, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaBruinz

Do you know how stupid you sound making comments like this? I lost track of the number of kick returns that Kevin Faulk muffed during the first few years he was here.

Also, why do you totally IGNORE that Slater does more than just return kicks? He's on the other 3 units as well.. HELLO ...

The Pats kept Willie Andrews around until he earned his way off the team this off-season. And Andrews was only out on 2 units. What makes you think that the Pats are going to get rid of someone who plays on all 4 special teams units?

Not to mention emergency depth at WR and S. Not someone you'd want to see getting significant time at those positions just yet, but god forbid we see a string of injuries like we did with our corners in 2004 and we'll be glad to have him there to fill in.