Remix 6

^wheres Sanders in your analysis?

Box_O_Rocks

Wilson drew heat early on because he was playing SS and Rodney was play FS while testing his knee's durability and mobility. BB likes to have Safeties who can play both, but it isn't much of a stretch to say Rodney makes a better SS than FS and vice versa for Wilson. Hawkins' experience helps when Rodney is out, but Wilson is the more athletic of the two. The challenge will be staying injury free with his hamstring and groin woes. I think a canny SS candidate in this draft, one with a little more mass, would be a good investment, recycling older CBs at FS to help the younger SSs is probably wiser from a Field General perspective.

__________________
"Avert thine eyes! You're not hot enough to be looking at me."
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

cstjohn17

So how many Safeties should they bring in? The NFL is less and less of a developmental league, we can't have 2-3 safeties "learning" the system. If we draft one and have one on the PS squad that may be the limit of what the roster can bear.

The 4,5,6,7 spots are JAGs and can easily replaced on a year to year basis. My proposal is:
FS - Wilson, mid round draft pick
SS - Harrison, Sanders
Special Teams - Andrews, Mitchell and maybe T Buck, and maybe Hawkins

Chad Scott and Gay (if brought back can also play S in a pinch)

What is your plan?

MoLewisrocks

I don't know. Felger was opining back in 2005 that some guys can't play if they also have to think, and he believed Wilson was one of those. When Rodney was there to do the thinking and he could just react under his direction he looked like a pro bowler. Once he had to think for himself, not to mention being expected to also think for the unit, he was toast. I'm not sure he's a starter on this team any more minus Rodney, and I don't think we can count on Rodney too much longer. Remember, BB brought in a boatload of safeties last season even assuming Wilson remained healthy and likely assuming Rodney would be back eventually.

Unlike some here I'm not penciling him or Gay in anywhere until they prove they can get back on the field (and prove they weren't just flashes and have genuine capacity to consistently play the position effectively including under less than ideal conditions) and stay on the field.

Belichick defenses are built around savvy playcallers and playmakers at LB and safety. We need to get younger and faster to be sure, but we also have to maintain a certain level of talent and retain an instinctive mentality or the system malfunctions.

Remix 6

not all the safeties we have this year will be around. Jones or Mitchell will be cut.

safe: wilson, harrison, hawkins, sanders. baker is an RFA

competition: at most 2 guy more guys will make it..Jones/Mitchell/Baker

Andrews can play S as can Gay and Scott

IMO, Jones will be safe b/c he plays Safety and can play OLB in sub packages while Mitchell hasnt started @ safety and doubt hes very versatile on defense.

Box_O_Rocks

If you pencil in Wilson and Harrison as starters, and Sanders as 1st reserve...with Chad Scott still a candidate to back-up at FS. Then Hawkins, Mitchell, Jones, and Andrews are competing with LBs, RBs, and receivers for Special Teams' duties. Andrews is an excellent gunner and good PR/KR reserve, he also has enough quicks to cross-train at CB, we'll see what they do with him in mini-camp. Jones and Mitchell have to beat out Sanders or one of the young LBs, coming off knee injuries that will be tough. Hawkins is an excellent short-term S, but he doesn't seem to have the legs to last an entire season, unless there was some injury accumulation not reported. There seems to be several decent mid-round SS candidates to pick through in the draft, most of the safeties making the big waves are less than 200 pounds and better suited to FS.

__________________
"Avert thine eyes! You're not hot enough to be looking at me."
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

PATRIOTS-80

that's my plan too!

MrBigglesWorth

good point, forgot about him and he was playing great. someone will be the odd man out to play corner whether it is eugene or a rookie.

__________________
"There are two categories of superbowl participants that nobody remembers:

The team that lost the game and the team that only won one." Dwight White- Steelers

mgteich

I think that your plan simply makes believe that Wilson will be healthy and able to play at 100%. The coaches may know that this is true.

I am fine with Sanders starting but not Chad Scott. Sanders is a fine SS, and a fine starter. I like Chad Scott as a starting corner, as a backup safety. My plan is to keep Hawkins who is likely to be as good as Wilson, who is in contract year. I see absolutely no downside to keeping a player that was a critical part of a seconday that allowed the fewest touchdown passes in the NFL, and a critical starter in a defense that allowed the second fewest points in the league.

Let's face some reality. 1) Hawkins, Sanders and Baker played plenty well enough to win. 2) Wilson and Harrison may be doubtful for 2007 and 2008.

Even the mention of Gay makes me cringe. I won't count on him for the 2007 playoffs, although he might ket one of the final roster spots, which is just fine.

My 2007 lineup is

SS Harrison, Sanders (expecting Sanders to start for most of the season)
FS Hawkins, Wilson (expecting Hawkins to start for most of the season)
ST Baker, Andrews, Jones, Mitchell
emergency backup: Scott

I see no reason for anyone else unless Harrison or Wilson are expected to go.
Depending on FO evaluation, I would consider extending Hawkins and Wilson now. Yes I would draft the annual safety. That's fine as long as he can play ST's. He'll need to make the team on ST's

================================================== ==

cstjohn17

Sounds like we are all saying the same thing, despite all hoopla about our Safety position it doesn't look like there will be any major changes in 2007 except for all the return of players from injury.

I see one open spot at FS as a backup to Wilson in case his play drops off or he leaves in 2008. In my ideal scenario we get a player like Nelson or Merriweather in the draft because they can play FS or nickel CB. More realistic to think we draft a S in rounds 4 or 5 or bring in a savy old vet.

My silent hope is that T Buck can return to a level where he can line up at LB in passing situation and cover a TE, say someone like.. I don't know... maybe Dallas Clark.