I'm saying Week 1 Starters: Mayo and Wheatley - New England Patriots Forums

MrBigglesWorth · 08-10-2008, 08:59 PM

I know Mayo is a no brainer. But I'm saying Wheatley is going to win the job over Fernando Bryant. The starting corners will be Hobbs and Wheatley. I know they're short but they're pretty fast.

Both of these guys are gonna be starters right from the start.

We'll see BM come in on passing downs and nickle packages. I expect Sanders and Harrison on the first play of the game but I don't expect a firm "starter". I think it's more of a rotation.

***Box_O_Rocks*** · 08-10-2008, 09:00 PM

Mayo seems likely, I think Wheatley plays behind Hobbs and Bryant.

***mgteich*** · 08-10-2008, 09:02 PM

I agree. But, I don't think it matters much. The nickel gets lots of reps.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Box_O_Rocks

Mayo seems likely, I think Wheatley plays behind Hobbs and Bryant.

MrBigglesWorth · 08-10-2008, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Box_O_Rocks

Mayo seems likely, I think Wheatley plays behind Hobbs and Bryant.

That's where I just have a gut instinct that Fernando is kind of a version of Duane Starkes. I know it's early but remember I said this.

This happened a couple years ago where Hobbs took Starkes spot.

08-10-2008, 09:08 PM

Prior to this first game, I would have said no way. Bryant/Hobbs are the starters, but after watching Fernando give up first down after first down with 25 yard cushions, I almost puked. Mean while, on the other side, I thought Wheatley was very solid. It wouldn't surprise me after it's all said and done that Wheatley keeps his starters role. If anything, Hobbs might not officially be ready on week 1 and Bryant would have it by default.

***Deus Irae*** · 08-10-2008, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BradyToMoss

Prior to this first game, I would have said no way. Bryant/Hobbs are the starters, but after watching Fernando give up first down and first down with 25 yard cushions, I almost puked. Mean while, on the other side, I thought Wheatley was very solid. It wouldn't surprise me after it's all said and done that Wheatley keeps his starters role. If anything, Hobbs might not officially be ready on week 1 and Bryant would have it by default.

BOR has an excellent breakdown of how he saw this. Give it a look and see if it changes your mind a bit:

Ravens Game NFLN Replay - First Impression

***Box_O_Rocks*** · 08-10-2008, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrBigglesWorth

That's where I just have a gut instinct that Fernando is kind of a version of Duane Starkes. I know it's early but remember I said this.

This happened a couple years ago where Hobbs took Starkes spot.

I'd suggest some imodium or pepto-bismol for that gut. I read the articles critical of Bryant and disagreed when I got to watch the game replay. My buddy AWTE over at Planet has a nice coverage breakdown in my Ravens thread which reads to me as if Bryant played his responsibilities and didn't go for risky play. I doubt he'll be another Starks, but we'll know more over the next couple games.

08-10-2008, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Box_O_Rocks

I'd suggest some imodium or pepto-bismol for that gut. I read the articles critical of Bryant and disagreed when I got to watch the game replay. My buddy AWTE over at Planet has a nice coverage breakdown in my Ravens thread which reads to me as if Bryant played his responsibilities and didn't go for risky play. I doubt he'll be another Starks, but we'll know more over the next couple games.

Risky play? I mean he wasn't even in the same area code and gave up some serious gains which kept that entire drive alive. It was also against one of the worst pass offenses in the NFL. It looked so bad that I thought it was a zone that he didn't quite understand he was that far off the receiver. He's a had a solid camp, so we'll have to cut him some slack. Hopefully we don't see that kind of coverage this Saturday.

MrBigglesWorth · 08-10-2008, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Box_O_Rocks

I'd suggest some imodium or pepto-bismol for that gut. I read the articles critical of Bryant and disagreed when I got to watch the game replay. My buddy AWTE over at Planet has a nice coverage breakdown in my Ravens thread which reads to me as if Bryant played his responsibilities and didn't go for risky play. I doubt he'll be another Starks, but we'll know more over the next couple games.

I'm not saying it because Bryant is that terrible. I'm saying it that I think Wheatley is gonna be a good pick and I think they drafted a legit d-back who has a very good chance at being special.

time will tell, but we also don't have a big enough body of work for fernando. i readily admit we need to see more.

i'm just saying in the end wheatley wins the job by week 1. just my opinion. especially for the style i think the pats want to play as FB played cover 2 and it's tough to change habits and wheatley is coming off playing this in college

MrBigglesWorth · 08-10-2008, 09:21 PM

BOR:

I read your opinion that FB ws pulled early to reduce his risk of injury. ok.

What is your guess on how much he plays in game 2? 1-2 series? 3-4? a half?