A Nickel Package Without Wilhite? - Page 5 - New England Patriots Forums

***mgteich*** · 09-10-2010, 11:28 PM

Wilhite was a 4th round draft choice. I expected that he would develop into a reasonable nickel or dime back after a couple of years in the league.

As a rookie, he started the last four games, and starting eight games last year. He didn't look like a veteran corner. He was decidely below par for a starter. OK. So, we didn't have anyone better and had to have Wilhite start half our games in 2009. We were 5th in points allowed. Wilhite was OK, but we badly needed an upgrade. We drafted McCourty.

The BOTTOM LINE is that Wilhite should be an OK nickel and dime back. He is better than most #4 defensive backs in the league. He is probably an average nickel back, which is fine for a backup. Obviously, injuries have moved him to a starter position in the past. This week he is our nickel.

If Wilhite if is to be cut if he isn't a reasonable starter, then he should ahve been cut. Last I noticed, we had six corners on the squad. He doesn't need to be starter quality to contribute.

It is the beauty of a Belichick team that there is room for the Wilhite's of the world as depth.

***AndyJohnson*** · 09-11-2010, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mgteich

Wilhite was a 4th round draft choice. I expected that he would develop into a reasonable nickel or dime back after a couple of years in the league.

As a rookie, he started the last four games, and starting eight games last year. He didn't look like a veteran corner. He was decidely below par for a starter. OK. So, we didn't have anyone better and had to have Wilhite start half our games in 2009. We were 5th in points allowed. Wilhite was OK, but we badly needed an upgrade. We drafted McCourty.

The BOTTOM LINE is that Wilhite should be an OK nickel and dime back. He is better than most #4 defensive backs in the league. He is probably an average nickel back, which is fine for a backup. Obviously, injuries have moved him to a starter position in the past. This week he is our nickel.

If Wilhite if is to be cut if he isn't a reasonable starter, then he should ahve been cut. Last I noticed, we had six corners on the squad. He doesn't need to be starter quality to contribute.

It is the beauty of a Belichick team that there is room for the Wilhite's of the world as depth.

2 months ago most posters were saying McCourty couldnt beat out Wilhite for the nickel. Now Wilhite is a disaster at the nickel? What does that mean?
I think sometimes the criticism searches for its target.

HomelandDef · 09-12-2010, 03:51 PM

It looks like there was a lot of "Big Nickel" with Chung/Sanders and Meriweather, and Wilhite was the dime back. I think Belichick might be sending Meriweather a message. Sanders played a ton, a couple weeks ago I heard some rumblings that he might be CUT.