maverick4

9 games, 9 total tackles, 1 sack.
A bust, 2nd round pick who was taken way too high.

SOOOO glad we didn't draft this raw combine superstar.



For comparison/perspective, another 2nd round pick Patrick Chung only started getting major playing time the past three games after playing behind Meriweather/McGowan/Sanders, and for the season has 20 tackles, 1 int, and 2 sacks.

Jimke

He is a versatile player who has not mastered one position.

mayoclinic

Barwin also has 2 passes defended. Obviously not eye-popping stats, but he's producing when he gets on the field.

Lets look at some other rookie stats for some other day 1 rookies who are not currently starting for their teams:

#18 Robert Ayers, Denver: 11 total tackles, 0 sacks, 0 passes defended. But has gotten some good pressure.

#43 Everette Brown, Carolina: 8 total tackles, 0 sacks, 1 pass defended.

#46 Clint Sintim, NY Giants: 7 total tackles, 0 sacks, 0 pass defended.

Not to mention (for a different position) our own Ron Brace: 1 tackle, 0 sacks, 0 passes defended in 4 games.

So clearly all of these guys are busts.

Come on. Get real. They're rookies, and still getting playing time, still learning their system and their positions. It's way too early to be declaring anyone a bust.

And for those who are starting, who are getting much more playing time:

#13 Brian Orapko, Washington: 26 total tackles, 5.5 sacks, 0 passes defended

#15 Brian Cushing, Houston: 78 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 8 passes defended.

#26 Clay Matthews, Green Bay: 15 tackles, 3 sacks, 4 passes defended.

#38 Rey Maualuga, Cincinnati: 30 tackles, 1 sack, 1 pass defended.

Obviously, those who are starting getting more playing time and are starting have more of a chance to make plays, and more of a chance to get comfortable with their system. Yet Matthews' numbers as a starter (and considered a big success for GB) aren't that much better than Barwin's as a sub.

And, for comparison, our own Darius Butler, a player who most feel is coming along beautifully, has so far produced 12 tackles, 0 sacks, 4 passes defended and 2 interceptions. The stat line doesn't tell the whole story.

From what I can tell, Barwin is progressing just fine in Houston. He generates pressure, can defend the pass, and should be very good in time.

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reflexblue

Brian Cushing stands out, a lot of people her including myself were worried about him becaue of his suppliment use but apparently we were wrong.

mayoclinic

Cushing has been much, much better than I ever expected (I took him off of my draft board), but I'm still worried in the long run about his injury and steroid history. I also don't think he fits at all for the Pats. He's a 4-3 OLB all the way.

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maverick4

1. To say a guy's stats are down because he isn't on the field, is a pretty weak argument. Obviously if he were better, he'd be on the field a lot more. At the same time, I do agree that as rookies they get a bit of a benefit of the doubt. Don't worry though, I'll post after next season on this too.

2. Darius Butler's stats are actually good for a rookie corner who has probably only played half the season. 4 passes defensed and 2 int's at this point are outstanding.

KontradictioN

I was never for drafting Barwin, but your number one point is extremely weak. In that line of thinking, Brandon Meriweather sucks because he wasn't on the field a whole lot through eight games in his first season.

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Hey Kerry, you suck!

reflexblue

I failed to mention Orakapo 26 tks and 5.5 sacks on a bad team. That being said i haven't watched the skins this year yet so i don't know about how good or bad they're defene is.

maverick4

I agree that rookies should be given the benefit of the doubt. Meriweather had 28 tackles his rookie year, not too bad for a DB. He also showed flashes of his talent even in his first year. He also played on a Pats team that was already stacked.

Even though it's early, it's good to know given this season so far that we didn't draft Barwin in the 1st round (something a few notable people here wanted), given his performance so far. The Texans are giving Cushing a ton of playing time, so it's not like the opportunity isn't there for Barwin on the Texans if he can perform.

mayoclinic

Pats rookies often don't make the field a lot. Look at Brandon Meriweather. Conversely, Eugene Wilson was excellent as a rookie and went downhill from there.

You can bash Barwin, but that means you also think Ayers, Sintim and Everette Brown are all busts based on their lack of numbers produced in the first half of their rookie season. That's pretty lame.

I'd personally wait 2-3 years before declaring any of those guys busts.

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