Safeties to watch (merged) - Page 2 - New England Patriots Forums

***Sciz*** · 08-20-2011, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by captain stone

This team right now is one dependable, sure-tackling, smart, tough FS away
(i.e.: everything Stomper is not) from having a very, very intriguing defense.

I agree. That's why I would've loved to see Renaldo Hill. He's old and not flashy, but versatile, experienced, and dependable. Must've been out of shape or something.

Ochmed Jones · 08-21-2011, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UofApatsfan

lol good point

As mentioned already, I think Robert Lester is the obvious 1st choice but might require a 1st rounder if he improves off of what was already a great season last year. Plays in the college system most like BB's defense, has the height we currently lack at safety, and is the coverage specialist we need complimenting Chung.

2nd choices would probably by Tate or Ray Ray Armstrong, but Robert Lester seems like by far the best choice as it stands.

He also makes a lot of calls in the secondary. I have no problem taking Lester at #32 provided he runs well.

If we come back in round three and take Barron,so much the better for us.

MaineMan · 08-21-2011, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ochmed Jones

He also makes a lot of calls in the secondary. I have no problem taking Lester at #32 provided he runs well.

If we come back in round three and take Barron,so much the better for us.

If BB dos that, we may need to start calling him "Noah of Draft Day" for taking guys two at a time.

In '07, it was two WRs (Welker, Moss)
In '08, it was two CBs (certainly an "oops!" on that one)
In '09, it was two DTs
In '10, it was two TEs
In '11, it was two RBs

s3antana5757 · 08-21-2011, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaineMan

If BB dos that, we may need to start calling him "Noah of Draft Day" for taking guys two at a time.

In '07, it was two WRs (Welker, Moss)
In '08, it was two CBs (certainly an "oops!" on that one)
In '09, it was two DTs
In '10, it was two TEs
In '11, it was two RBs

It's worked. It would be crazy to have the two starting safeties from a team that should win the SEC and maybe a national title.

patsfaninpa · 08-22-2011, 10:55 AM

Not sure BB is going all out after any Bama players. His kinship with Saban may have taken a hit when Nick was at Miami and got audio tape of Brady's audibles. We could have had T. Cody. Didn't bite. Could have had M. Ingram traded out and grabbed a couple of other rb's. I wouldn't pencil in interest on Bama players because of Belichick/Saban relationship.

***patchick*** · 08-22-2011, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by captain stone

This team right now is one dependable, sure-tackling, smart, tough FS away
(i.e.: everything Stomper is not) from having a very, very intriguing defense.

Totally agree. It's really hard to know how to assess the position, though, without getting any look at Ras-I Dowling. IF he can get healthy, I really think he could fill the bill. He's a smart leader who was very technically sound in college.

Can Dowling stay healthy? Do the Pats intend to give him a shot at the FS job? Who the heck knows?

captain stone · 08-22-2011, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patchick

Totally agree. It's really hard to know how to assess the position, though, without getting any look at Ras-I Dowling. IF he can get healthy, I really think he could fill the bill. He's a smart leader who was very technically sound in college.

Can Dowling stay healthy? Do the Pats intend to give him a shot at the FS job? Who the heck knows?

The good news from today's practice is that Dowling participated in full pads.

I still think that Bill wants to see him at CB first, before any Geno Wilson - to - FS move is made.
Now if Bodden is just resting, as opposed to being hurt, and Butler doesn't totally suck vs. Detroit,
then maybe there'll be enough CB depth to give Dowling - or maybe Arrington - some time at FS.

Either way, if there is enough talent at FS in next year's draft to warrant expending one of our top-100 picks there, I'm all for it. Our lineage there doesn't exactly rival Red Sux LFs: Stomper, Wilson, Tebucky Jones...

captain stone · 08-22-2011, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ochmed Jones

He also makes a lot of calls in the secondary. I have no problem taking Lester at #32 provided he runs well.

If we come back in round three and take Barron, so much the better for us.

Is Lester a Junior this season?

reamer · 08-22-2011, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by captain stone

Is Lester a Junior this season?

Yes. It's not for sure that he'll declare, although if he has another year with high interception totals, he will probably make himself draft eligible. The Alabama team is so talented that it's likely he'll be encouraged to move on, provided he plays up to his potential, in order to make way for younger talent.

That said, he has to improve a LOT as a tackler before I'd even think about drafting him. His coverage is great. His ability to take good angles and wrap up . . . not so much. Makes Meriweather look like Rodney Harrison by comparison.

Updated with video from the season:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mCig75d9gU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjvhYLMdfrU

While both videos show his Penn State game, they also profile a few other games (Tennessee, Auburn, Mississippi State). Fantastic upside, but must improve his game.

BillBelichickFan79 · 08-23-2011, 12:07 AM

I like Lester too, he had a great nose for the ball last year. I want to see him improve some of his open field tackling. He reminded me a bit of Meriweather in that phase last year -- he wasn't consistent enough. He's on the smaller side too.

Kenny Tate is an animal and would be an animal in our defense. Could line him up all over the field and do many different things with him.

I really like Janzen Jackson on Tennessee too. I know people will scream "character concerns," but the kid has got a ton of talent and hits like bricks. He may provide better value than Lester or Tate, who receive more fanfare/draftnik media coverage.