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The Pats don't talk in terms of a #1 CB so most media people don't reference such things. Hobbs started at the LCB role or the QB's right side before injury moved him out and moved Samuel in - most #1 CBs play over to the side most QBs have their throwing arm (see Law, TY and Bailey, Champ).
Do you recall Lee Evans (Buffalo) being mentioned much in the first game? Hobbs shut him down. Hobbs doesn't miss anymore tackles than any other defender, and we do need to remember the other team drafted for talent and play making ability too. Samuel plays off his man and uses his burst to close and make a play, Hobbs, when healthy, plays more press coverage and plays tighter to his man, forcing the QB to look elsewhere. They are both fine CBs who the coaches have playing to their strengths and shielding their weaknesses. Please note that Hobbs was still wearing a cast in the AFCCG.
Hobbs shut down Reggie Wayne for all intents and purposes. For a rare treat, Samuel did the same with Harrison (though I recall numerous stories on how Harrison disappears in the playoffs...). Do you remember that sick twirling/diving TD catch Harrison made when Indy played in Gillette this year? Afterwards Harrison spiked the ball, a rare show for him - Hobbs had been dogging his butt all game and they had a real battle going. San Diego challenged Hobbs with their big WRs and TE, and went away from Samuel until late in the game as they tried to ignite a rally. Hobbs stripped Antonio F-ing Gates on the 2 yd line in what was rightly called an incompletion after review. He stripped 6'5" Vincent Jackson to kill a drive in the 4th Qtr. Think back to the Miami away game last season, Miami went at Hobbs twice with their 6'4" big play man, throwing fades - Hobbs stripped him both times before possession could be established, preserving the win in the process. When I watch tape there is no question in my mind that Hobbs is the more physically talented CB than Samuel, and appears to be learning the position at a faster pace since he earned the starting RCB slot last season when Starks injuries finally handicapped him beyond the coaches' tolerance.
You may gather that I've had to defend Hobbs before in this forum. Most people just don't have time to watch tape, even if they recorded the game, but slow-motion viewing, and rewatching a play focusing on each individual, often paints the play in a different light. I'm sure Pats1 can tell you individuals he was cussing during a game look much better when he slows it down for analysis.
I agree on Hobbs. I love his spirit and it would be interesting to find out if Samuel was getting so many picks because qb's were throwing away from hobbs.
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I agree on Hobbs. I love his spirit and it would be interesting to find out if Samuel was getting so many picks because qb's were throwing away from hobbs.
Samuel was getting his picks this year mostly because, as a 4th year veteran, he has acclimated to the game to the point where he can more appropriately pick and utilize opportunities to be aggressive in, and is no longer startled when he gets to the ball first.
Hobbs has so far demonstrated he's got the coverage skills Samuel has. In the Indianapolis game alone Hobbs successfully defended about six passes (I count the phantom "face-guarding" PI call in the endzone as a defended pass) which is twice as many as Samuel had. The difference between the two is that Samuel got his mitts on a slant and housed it, and after that really didn't see a lot of aggressive passing action coming his way.
Like Samuel, I think as his third year in the starting lineup progresses you'll see Hobbs turn into an interception machine, and consequently a shutdown corner. Once you start making the quarterback pay for picking on you, you tend to see a lot fewer plays being run at you.
If they keep Samuel after they tag him, our corners will be scary next year. 2003 scary.
Box,
I haven't had the desire to revisit the last game. I'll get to it sometime after the superbowl, along with the Chargers game, which is quite a bit more uplifting. In all, six quarters of good watching, two quarters to hide my eyes.
On Hobbs, I thought (without watching replays) that he was not only talented but courageous. I remember when Samuel used to hit TE's hard and suffered a shoulder injury one season because of it. He looked, to me, like a courageous corner. Hobbs goes beyond that. Not only does he tackle and strip the big receivers and TEs, he pulls them down on top of himself at the end of a high-speed chase. He came back from a broken wrist in something like two weeks.
For all of Samuel's picks, I'd rather have Hobbs. No question he has better speed and agility, equal strength and courage and his NFL timing is improving every game.
He's smart, aggressive, knows how to play press coverage, and when his hand is healed, he'll be picking QB's like apples on a tree. I don't know what got him in trouble with BB earlier in the season, but I have to believe they love the guy.
I don't know what got him in trouble with BB earlier in the season, but I have to believe they love the guy.
I don't know that he was in trouble, that's always everybody's first thought, but other than people taking it for granted he was in trouble, I never saw any sourced reporting. I did see reports that he was struggling physically, I'd have to go back and watch for any change in his cast. That also was the Miami game if I recall, I believe Chad Scott was playing for his press coverage ability...
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The Pats don't talk in terms of a #1 CB so most media people don't reference such things. Hobbs started at the LCB role or the QB's right side before injury moved him out and moved Samuel in - most #1 CBs play over to the side most QBs have their throwing arm (see Law, TY and Bailey, Champ).
Do you recall Lee Evans (Buffalo) being mentioned much in the first game? Hobbs shut him down. Hobbs doesn't miss anymore tackles than any other defender, and we do need to remember the other team drafted for talent and play making ability too. Samuel plays off his man and uses his burst to close and make a play, Hobbs, when healthy, plays more press coverage and plays tighter to his man, forcing the QB to look elsewhere. They are both fine CBs who the coaches have playing to their strengths and shielding their weaknesses. Please note that Hobbs was still wearing a cast in the AFCCG.
Hobbs shut down Reggie Wayne for all intents and purposes. For a rare treat, Samuel did the same with Harrison (though I recall numerous stories on how Harrison disappears in the playoffs...). Do you remember that sick twirling/diving TD catch Harrison made when Indy played in Gillette this year? Afterwards Harrison spiked the ball, a rare show for him - Hobbs had been dogging his butt all game and they had a real battle going. San Diego challenged Hobbs with their big WRs and TE, and went away from Samuel until late in the game as they tried to ignite a rally. Hobbs stripped Antonio F-ing Gates on the 2 yd line in what was rightly called an incompletion after review. He stripped 6'5" Vincent Jackson to kill a drive in the 4th Qtr. Think back to the Miami away game last season, Miami went at Hobbs twice with their 6'4" big play man, throwing fades - Hobbs stripped him both times before possession could be established, preserving the win in the process. When I watch tape there is no question in my mind that Hobbs is the more physically talented CB than Samuel, and appears to be learning the position at a faster pace since he earned the starting RCB slot last season when Starks injuries finally handicapped him beyond the coaches' tolerance.
You may gather that I've had to defend Hobbs before in this forum. Most people just don't have time to watch tape, even if they recorded the game, but slow-motion viewing, and rewatching a play focusing on each individual, often paints the play in a different light. I'm sure Pats1 can tell you individuals he was cussing during a game look much better when he slows it down for analysis.
All fair points Box_of_Rocks and I agree that a lot of my preception on Hobbs is based on viewing the game once on TV. As you said that is not the best way to pick up on every aspect Hobbs' play and I have no doubt I've missed a lot of his positive play.
I remember the game against Buffalo where Hobbs played so well on Evans - a source of ire for Asante was it not that Hobbs got this detail? Also Peter King made a point of mentioning Hobbs' display in that game in his MMQB column - and I agree he played very well on Wayne and against the Chargers.
I could, on the other hand, point out how he got beaten by Cotchery for the TD in the Jets game in Foxboro or how Welker got the better of him in the Miami game this year - wasn't it something like 7 catches out of the slot?
I guess the idea of Hobbs as the no 1 CB this year still makes me, personally, a little uneasy. Hopefully I'll be proved wrong. And you can retire the 'defending Hobbs argument' for good...
All fair points Box_of_Rocks and I agree that a lot of my preception on Hobbs is based on viewing the game once on TV. As you said that is not the best way to pick up on every aspect Hobbs' play and I have no doubt I've missed a lot of his positive play.
I remember the game against Buffalo where Hobbs played so well on Evans - a source of ire for Asante was it not that Hobbs got this detail? Also Peter King made a point of mentioning Hobbs' display in that game in his MMQB column - and I agree he played very well on Wayne and against the Chargers.
I could, on the other hand, point out how he got beaten by Cotchery for the TD in the Jets game in Foxboro or how Welker got the better of him in the Miami game this year - wasn't it something like 7 catches out of the slot?
I guess the idea of Hobbs as the no 1 CB this year still makes me, personally, a little uneasy. Hopefully I'll be proved wrong. And you can retire the 'defending Hobbs argument' for good...
I look forward to retiring the Hobbs' defense, but as long as Cardinals' fan posts his stupidity I doubt that will happen.
Name a player on defense who had a good game when the Jets came to visit in November? Welker is a pretty good WR, working out of the slot he stayed underneath the zones and was able to make plays, it's one of the hazards of the defense's bend but don't break approach. In that game, how many TDs did Welker score? How many were against Hobbs and how many against the zone?
I try to note when a player made an error when I do breakdowns, I just prefer not to second guess BB too often when it comes to assigning starting slots, I just have this feeling he may know more about the options and situation.
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I look forward to retiring the Hobbs' defense, but as long as Cardinals' fan posts his stupidity I doubt that will happen.
Name a player on defense who had a good game when the Jets came to visit in November? Welker is a pretty good WR, working out of the slot he stayed underneath the zones and was able to make plays, it's one of the hazards of the defense's bend but don't break approach. In that game, how many TDs did Welker score? How many were against Hobbs and how many against the zone?
I try to note when a player made an error when I do breakdowns, I just prefer not to second guess BB too often when it comes to assigning starting slots, I just have this feeling he may know more about the options and situation.
Ha, ha. Fair points. I can hardly against both you and BB can I?
I take what you're saying. It's not always as black and white as it seems.
Offensive participation
What did the Defense participation look like?
A snapshot look at offensive participation from the Patriots' 38-34 loss to the Colts in the AFC Championship game:
TE Benjamin Watson -- 50 of 58 snaps (86 percent)
WR Reche Caldwell -- 48 of 58 (82 percent)
WR Jabar Gaffney -- 47 of 58 (81 percent)
TE Daniel Graham -- 34 of 58 (58 percent)
WR Troy Brown -- 31 of 58 (53 percent)
FB Heath Evans -- 30 of 58 (51.7 percent)
RB Laurence Maroney -- 17 of 58 (29.3 percent)
RB Corey Dillon -- 14 of 58 (24.1 percent)
RB Kevin Faulk -- 10 of 58 (17.2 percent)
TE David Thomas -- 7 of 58 (12 percent)
WR Chad Jackson -- 2 of 58 (3.4 percent)
Offensive participation
What did the Defense participation look like?
A snapshot look at offensive participation from the Patriots' 38-34 loss to the Colts in the AFC Championship game:
TE Benjamin Watson -- 50 of 58 snaps (86 percent)
WR Reche Caldwell -- 48 of 58 (82 percent)
WR Jabar Gaffney -- 47 of 58 (81 percent)
TE Daniel Graham -- 34 of 58 (58 percent)
WR Troy Brown -- 31 of 58 (53 percent)
FB Heath Evans -- 30 of 58 (51.7 percent)
RB Laurence Maroney -- 17 of 58 (29.3 percent)
RB Corey Dillon -- 14 of 58 (24.1 percent)
RB Kevin Faulk -- 10 of 58 (17.2 percent)
TE David Thomas -- 7 of 58 (12 percent)
WR Chad Jackson -- 2 of 58 (3.4 percent)
Reiss is working on how he can track those numbers and have them for us next season.
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Re: Indianapolis Breakdown (AFC Championship)
Most people just don't have time to watch tape, even if they recorded the game, but slow-motion viewing, and rewatching a play focusing on each individual, often paints the play in a different light. I'm sure Pats1 can tell you individuals he was cussing during a game look much better when he slows it down for analysis.
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