Ochmed posted a CB analysis of the qualities BB looks for at the position. Thought I'd post the numbers of each DB (CBs and Safeties) drafted by BB since 2000. Size/Speed does indeed matter at most positions...and this list may give us some insight as to which draft prospects to consider (or not) at the DB position:

__________________
"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 -

Interesting... doesn't seem to care about height -- Morton was the only six-footer and he was cut as a 7th rounder out of Illinois.

__________________
Patriots Humor, Info, and Analysis at
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

I remember Andrews running a 4.3 Not sure where they're getting these numbers from.

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

Was that pro-day or combine though?

__________________
Patriots Humor, Info, and Analysis at
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

combine: http://nfldraft.rivals.com/cviewplay...eport#scouting

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

Just to throw one more log on the fire, here's something I wrote last February (in one of my periodic anti-Chris Houston posts ) about the Pats' DB draft history.
Chris Houston on Sirius NFL Radio


The Patriots are kind of funny in evaluating d-backs. Tight hips? Not a problem. Short enough to qualify for reduced fares? Step right up. Small school with low level of competition? It's all cool. Questionable ball skills? Weak in run support and tackling? Ah, hold on a minute.

Ellis Hobbs draft report excerpts: "Has a good nose for the ball and is especially active in run support...Solid tackler who will break down, face up, wrap and secure, showing aggression making the hit...Made very good improvements with his hands in 2004, extending away from the frame to snatch and pluck the ball..."

James Sanders draft report excerpts: "Good open field tackler…Ball-hawk type with that “go up and get it” attitude to the thrown pass…looks natural looking the ball in, extending for the pigskin at its high point with hands extended away from the frame…Plays with good functional strength and hits with explosion as a tackler…

Guss Scott draft report excerpts: "Plays with good awareness and instincts…Quick to react to the ball and anticipate the pass, consistently making good decisions…Has very good hands and ball skills, doing a good job of extending to get to the pigskin away from the body’s frame…Active in run force, coming up quickly while taking good angle..."

Dexter Reid draft report excerpts: "Quick to recognize and locate the ball…Plays alert and is very aware of the receiver’s drop in the zone…Tracks the ball properly and readily adjusts to it when combating for the pigskin…Catches the ball in his hands and away from his body…Will meet the ball carrier with aggression at the line of scrimmage..."


In short, there appears to be a clear profile for a Pats-drafted DB. It's not a physical profile, it's an on-the-field profile. Good hands, strong in run support, excellent field awareness and read-and-react/ball-tracking skills. Speedster or no, Chris Houston just doesn't seem to fit the profile.

Ball tracking -- agree with you there. Now if Merriweather could catch the balls he is tracking... Gotta love him though.

__________________
Patriots Humor, Info, and Analysis at
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

Antoine Cason?

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

bingo my friend

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

Some other DBs from this draft who fit the description above. Some of them may not suit the Patriots in other ways (several have questionable character) but all of them represent the sort of defensive back BB usually looks for:

Brandon Flowers: "Physical, aggressive and a big hitter...Good instincts and awareness...A playmaker with nice hands, body control and ball skills...Aggressive in run support...Lacks the height scouts prefer at the position"

Chevis Jackson: "Instinctive...Tough, physical and aggressive...Good hands and ball skills...Reliable tackler...Solid against the run...Timed speed is merely average"

Jack Williams: "Good hands and ball skills...Solid instincts and awareness...Tough and physical...Willing to come up and support the run"

DeJuan Tribble: "Strong and tough...Physical and will support the run...Reliable tackler...Pretty good hands and ball skills...Nice instincts and awareness"

Simon Castille: "Excellent instincts...Great ball skills...Tough and physical...Solid versus the run...A reliable tackler"

DaJuan Morgan: "Nice instincts and awareness...Physical and aggressive...Pretty good hands and ball skills...Isn't afraid to come up and support the run"

Tom Zbikowski: "Very strong and is tough as nails...Smart and has terrific instincts...Does a great job versus the run...Good hands and ball skills...Likes to hit and is a reliable tackler"

Craig Steltz: "Excellent instincts...Tough and physical...Sure tackler but can also lay the lumber...Does a nice job against the run...Good hands and ball skills"

Josh Barrett: "Reliable tackler who can also deliver the knockout blow...Tough and physical...Excellent against the run...Nice instincts and awareness"

Caleb Campbell: "A reliable tackler who can deliver the big hit...Physical and aggressive...Does an excellent job against the run...Has good instincts"