PatsBoy12

I must say that I'm starting to feel really good about this kid. I knew nothing of him coming out of college, as I have not watched many Rutgers games (or Big East games for that matter). Everything I've read thus far suggests that he is going to be really good (understanding that they haven't been in pads yet). To those who have actually seen the kid, is he really that good?


Here is another short excerpt that speaks to his positive play so far:

Quick-hit thoughts around NFL & Pats - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

JoeSixPat

People make it seem like he was an outrageous reach - but I saw more than a few mock drafts that had him going in the first round

whether anyone works out winds up being nothing more than an educated guess by the organization

Badluck

yea im excited to see him play, i think people were more upset about the position than the player, no one was really looking at CB as a 1st round need so we didnt really look at the potential 1st round CBs, so when his name was announced im sure there was a collective "WHAT?!?!??!?!" in patriot land

RayClay

Also, people need to realize we draft the player, not the draft, or team position. People say we could have this guy, or this other cornerback was better, but the Patriots identify players they want, they don't just take the "best" CB or player available.

This guy's physical and versatile and the player they wanted, in the right spot.

That's also the beauty of having a ton of bunched picks. You get the guy you want and still have a shot at good values for other players you find similar, or bargains.

There's also no such thing as a "reach" IMO. That means you get the player you want instead of what Mel Kiper says. Seems like, if Mel Kiper can make your picks better than you can, you need to find another business.

Of course, there are bad picks. Bobby Grier made a short career out of making the pundits look like geniuses.

__________________

Dragda

we always have one of our high picks as a bit of a head scratcher--like Vollmer or Mankins. But they usually work out.

patfanken

This just confirms what I've said since the day he was drafted (btw-that sound you hear in the background is me patting myself on the back. ). Then everyone felt he was going to be a slot guy, but I believe he has a good chance at being one of the starting outside CBs, and either Wilhite or Butler working the slot.

Really folks, if this kid is as good as I hope, then we will have a VERY solid, VERY deep secondary this season.

Badluck

eventually but not any time soon
i think the depth chart will go like this:
Bodden
Butler
Wilhite
McCourty

stinkypete

McCourty was my 2nd favorite CB in the entire draft, after Haden. He struck me as kind of an old schooler, a biger, more physical CB than what the league has produced in recent years. I think he will be very, very good.

We're looking at several years of Bodden, Butler, McCourty, Meriweather and Chung in this secondary. I feel real good about that.

DaBruinz

WRONG..

You can't just lump them all together.. BB said as much.

You have LCB, RCB, and then your Slot/Nickle Corner and your Dime Back. They each have their own depth charts..

Rob0729

If McCourty performed like he did at Rutgers at another school in a better conference, he would have have been a top ten pick. He was probably the closest thing to a shutdown CB in the draft. He just played for Rutgers who plays in the Big East.

If you look at his number of times thrown to vs. receptions made, he could be another Darrell Revis if he can translate those skills into the NFL. The NFL is a big leap from the Big East so it is far from a guarantee though. But I think most people overlooked this guy because of where he played and he didn't get many INTs.