BelichickFan

Can someone with a better memory remind me how he was playing before he got hurt ? I'm kind of focused on Safeties but if Harrison and Wilson are actually healthy next year (I know, I know), it's more of a 2008 need than 2007. But I forget how Wilson was playing. It's his contract year and we know how guys usually play in contract years.

PATRIOTS-80

BB fan, I have been thinking about Wilson and Harrison. When both those guys went down in Super Bowl 38 (I just watched it), our secondary went to h@ll. I really think that BB defenses rely so much on safeties. The last three times we have played the Colts and lost, Harrison has been hurt. When Hawkins showed up mid-season in '05, it really stabilized the defense.

It is my personal opinion, that the new CBA limiting contracts in the 2nd round and down to only 4 years really hurt the Patriots (who love to draft). I actually think re-signing Wilson on the cheap might be a way for the Patriots to stay ahead of the curve. Wilson has been injured (and playing injured) the last two years, but he looked good in training camp, playing FS/nickel CB.

cstjohn17

His play slipped in 2005 without Rodney, it seemed like 2006 was too short of a snapshot to tell. He may not be on the All Pro path we once thought he was on but he has speed and can cover. Personally I don't like the idea of moving him to CB as has been suggested, when healthy, he and Rodney are as solid a combo as there is in the league. Sanders is an ok backup at SS, Hawkins held up well for most of the year at FS but near the end his lack of speed was frightening. Maybe Hawkins was banged up but he was really exposed against the Jets and Colts.

Maybe the Pats bring in a player with some versatility to be a backup FS/SS (upgrade over Hawkins) but overall we have a lot of Safeties under contract and I am ok with the group we have. LB, CB (if Samuel leaves), WR are more pressing needs.

PATRIOTS-80

this time next year all those safeties that you are ok with won't be under contract. The only safety will we have under contract is James Sanders. Wilson has 1 year left, Hawkins has 1 year left, Tebucky Jones has 1 year left, Mel Mitchell has 1 year left, and '07 could very well be Rodney's last year.

Kdo5

He wasnt playing that bad but I remember him taking some heat, particularly after the Jets game in Week 2 because he was missing lots of tackles in it. But he only played two full games that I can remember Week 1 and 2. I may be wrong but I think he ended up getting injured before the Denver and Buffalo game finished. Of his good plays I can remember was a nice hit that could have been ruled a fumble against Denver and a great hussle play to stop Mgahee from reaching the endzone. I do not think he was playing great but not too bad, 2 full games is not enough to make a decision really.

HEY BRO! WHAT UP?

Eugene Wilson was awful. His injury was similar to Duane Starks in the context of being on injury report for awhile until being shut down the rest of the season. Wilson was getting juked out of his shoes on WR screen passes and consistently getting beaten for a first down. The injury might have had something to do with it if indeed it was his leg that was hurting him. If so, I will give him the benefit of the doubt because if you can't use your legs, you can't tackle. But to answer your question, his play was awful. Hopefully he heals up this offseason and gets back to 2003 form.

Kdo5

His play was awful in the Jets game in which he got juked out quite a few times but as I recall there were lots of players who were diving around whiffing whoever carried the ball that game. I just cant recall the other games he played in because I only have the Jets game on tape.

Remix 6

its hard to say how he was playing last year..too short and who knows how long hes been injured. everyone was missing tackles first part of season..EVERYONE

the reason in 05 bad play was because u get new guys in secondary..no experience without their Papa Bear and what happens? Confusion..i dont think he was ready to assume playcalling in secondary. Once Hawkins got in and gave veteran leadership..we played much better. i think he was playing good not great this year. I really want ihm back..hes 1 of the fastest on the team and he gives us big hits. Hawkins is not better than him..all hawkins has is experience and leadership over Wilson..Wilson is a lot more talented imo. not taking anything away from Hawkins but its Wilson's job in '07 and i hope we resign him in '08

his play was not anywhere near awfull..he missed a few tackles but name 1 defender who didnt. getting juked out of his shoes..i saw Bruschi, Vrabel, Scott, Samuel and Hobbs all get juked out by Coles who was dancing and making plays.

Kdo5

I like Wilson and think if we end up with both Wilson and Hawkins as the two most likely starters than I would like to go with Wilson. And I hope he bounces back and can be a leader in the future if we chose to re sign him but who knows.

MrBigglesWorth

Wilson should be kept at safety and signed for the future. He's very good and the criticism given to him has been unfair.

In 2005 until Hawkins surfaced, he played with about 3-4 other players at safety(Randal Gay, Scott, even Sanders, and that guy from Miami/GB)

Once Hawkins settled in you didn't hear Eugene's name for mistakes, he was solid.

This year I can remember when he got injured but that Magahee run down to save the td cooked his hammy and we was done for the rest of the season.

I say the Pats keep him at safety and draft another safety, then you have Rodney, Hawkins, Wilson, and a rookie to rotate. How's that for depth and that would make for an awesome Nickel or Dime Package, plus guys always get injured and maybe spreading the reps will preserve guys.

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