DocE

I have read and heard numerous references (Peter King on WEEI, Micheal Smith (?) ESPN NFL reporter to name two) that have mentioned that the Patriots wanted either Mayo or Rodgers-Cromartie in round 1. So, I don't think the Patriots desire a shorter CB, but I agree that they seem to prefer quick twitch CB's. Lewis Sanders is a big CB who's not a quick twitch guy, yet he played for BB this year and even started a few games. The Patriots also reportedly had interest in Ty Law who at this state in his career certainly isn't a quick twitch guy, but he gets by with his instincts and physical play.

The vast majority of CB's 5'9 and under do not excel in the NFL. The only one in recent memory is Antoine Winfield who is known more for his tackling ability than his cover skills.

As for the draft, I don't see CB as a huge need. In my mind, we have two young prospects in Wheatley and Wilhite. What the Patriots need to add is a veteran CB that they can count on, not another rookie. I hope that CB is someone who still has upside in their career (ex Ronald Bartell, Kelvin Hayden, Dunta Robinson), but it could be a veteran that they hope to get one or two more good years out of (ex Chris McAlister, Ken Lucas). It's entirely possible that the Patriots disagree with me on the need for a CB, but I hope not. I just get the feeling that BB realized this past season that it's not that easy to find a retread CB that can perform in the NFL after he whiffed on Bryant, Webster, and O'Neal.

I don't blame Hobbs at all for the fade in the Super Bowl, I blame the defense called. We left him all alone on the wide side of the field with no safety help. The Pats sent the house at Manning and they didn't get there in time. Knowing the blitz was coming, Hobbs was correct (in my mind) in taking away the slant which is easier to throw than the fade. Looking back on that entire "drive" will make you sick. Harrison had a great shot at a pick, the Giants barely converted a 4th and 1, Samuel had a great shot at a pick, then the Helmet play happened where there should have been holding called, then Merriweather had a shot at a pick (tough play but was on his hands for a second). It took the perfect storm for the Giants to be successful on that drive, which is why I don't get the all out blitz call there...make them actually excecute which they hadn't really done yet.

JoeShmoe

Totally agree. Thought both looked very promising last year and IMO this whole concept of a shutdown corner is bunk. Did Asomugha shut down Moss? Did the Denver CB's shut down NE?

If we got someone like Sean Smith fallto us at 23 and he's the BPA then maybe but who knows if we dont go for a Dunta Robinson, Deangelo Hall etc in FA

I think Safety and OLB are far bigger needs

VJCPatriot

S/OLB/CB are needs for this team. But it's possible to address 1 or 2 of those needs via free agency. It looks to me like this year's safety draft is weaker than I originally expected as most of them look to be 2nd round or later guys, yes that includes Moore whose stock has dipped quite a bit.

I could see the Pats taking a guy like Alphonso Smith or Sean Smith in the draft and then signing a free agent OLB and safety. Suggs and Sean Jones are probably near the top of the list in that scenario.

But that's just one particular scenario. It's hard to tell who BB really loves unless a story leaks some info early, as per the Mayo and Warren case.

Certainly TWO things that could change things considerably on draft day are:
1. What happens to Cassel
2. Significant free agent pickups

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bakes781

Ideally you want your DBs to be young because of the speed involved & your LBs to be vets because of the strength needed there. So it wouldn't surprise me to see the Pats draft several DBs in this draft.

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Seneschal2

As I've posted previously, I'm guessing Wheatley will win the LCB slot.

He does have amazing ball skills, which is perhaps the single most important quality for a Belichick CB. He also happens to be the active career interception leader with an unheard of 21. In addition, he has 7 forced fumbles and 5 blocked kicks. So we're talking about an extremely productive player, which is another important quality to BB -- especially in round one. There are other CB options however, from rounds 2-4. But if BB did nab one at #23, Smith would be the most likely candidate. A CB at the #23 slot isn't that foreign to the Pats, as this is where Ty Law was selected. CB Tyrone Poole (another ex-Pat), was selected at #22 that same draft. Of course neither one was drafted by BB, but there's a point in there somewhere.

Ball skills are indeed a priority to look for in any Pats CB prospect. Here's several more to consider, before the all-important Combine:

Joe Burnett - 16 career ints (broke Asante's record), good PR
Mike Mickens - still recovering from knee surgery, 14 ints, 45 passes defensed, always around the ball
Jairus Byrd - junior, 17 ints, speed may be an issue
Darius Butler - very fast, has the feet and hips, impressive Senior Bowl

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"What we want to try to do is maximize each spot on the roster; we want to be stronger at No. 1 than the opponent, stronger at No. 25 than they are, and stronger at No. 53 than they are, we're always looking to upgrade the talent level on the team, and play together to be functional."
- Bill Belichick -

BradyManny

My draft opinions change on a day to day/minute to minute basis, but I'm slowly leaning towards on rooting for them holding off on CB until rounds 2-4. If Sintim is gone, if there aren't other options, I would merrily take DJ Moore or Alphonso Smith on this team. But with Wheatley and Wilhite, admittedly, there is an unknown that can go either way - but given the promising things both have shown, its probably more likely that both guys end up being serviceable enough that if we spend a first rounder on a guy, they're all fighting for reps down the road. Maybe that's not a bad "problem" to have. But a 4th rounder is a less expensive pick than a 1st.

If Crable flourishes, for instance, Sintim could still play SILB, and there isn't the risk of redundancy there.

mgteich

Yes, Wheatley is likely to be our starting LCB and Wilhite is likely to be our nickel. We would likely have a free agent as a backup (pehaps Lew Sanders). IF Hobbs is re-signed for 2010, and BOTH Wheatley and Wilhite work are starter quality, then we are fine at corner. I think we need an additional Day One corner.

captain stone

Could you please remind the class where this defense ranked in the RZ?

I say that CB is currently our #1 need. At least OLB has some possibilities (Adalius, Woods, Crable, Redd, the 2 PSers); there are no such possibilities at CB. Hobbs, Wheatley & Wilhite are #3/4/5 guys - at best. We desperately need both a #1 and a #2 CB. A year from now, we'll prob. need both a #1 and a #2 OLB, but I'm willing to give the yutes one more year.

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