McCauley

[BelichickFan]

I know he's not a cool name to be wanting right now but looking at the splits on NFLDraftScout, from the combine; I assume they have the numbers right, his numbers stick out as the second fastest CB behind Leon Hall. This is across the board, the 40 but also he had the second best cone, the fourth best shuttle, the best 10 yard, a top five or six 20 yard.

We may be outthinking ourselves on some of these guys. For example he was similar to Josh Wilson in the 40 and 20 but SMOKED him in the shuttle (4.17 to 4.43) and cone (6.61 to 7.07). Similar 10s but McCauley had the best of all the CB in that.

For a guy who's 6'1", 203 pounds that combine was kind of sick, I didn't realize he did that well.

[patchick]

He's one of the big mystery men in the draft. I'd call Brian Robison another. Both seem to be swimming in athletic talent...why not a bigger impact on the field?

[BelichickFan]

I agree that his on field play this year is a concern but depending what Pat Hill tells Billy, I'm keeping my eye on him - for one of the bigger CB in the draft to put up the second best (overall) speed and quickness numbers is a real eyebrow raiser.

[Mogamedogz]

I LOVE McCauley's game... I think there is a MORE then solid chance that he goes to NE @ 1.28 (if we dont trade out).

I actually have him ranked as the second best CB prospect in the draft after Darelle Revis, and just selected him in a readers Mock that I am participating in on Fanball.

Here is my write up on him:

1.28 New England- Marcus McCauley CB Fresno State 6'0 205

McCauley is the second highest rated CB prospect on my draft board (after Darelle Revis). His collegiate stats are a bit mis-leading because teams did not elect to throw in his direction very much. Marcus has the size, speed (4.3), athleticism, and instincts to be a big time play-maker at the next level. He is fluid enough to go step for step with WR’s in Man coverage, but also excels in zone. Against the run, McCauley is an above average tackler, who plays very aggressively. Touted as a "natural leader" on defense by HC (and Bill Belichick disciple) Pat Hill; the “smart” hard working McCauley could thrive in the NE secondary.

[Fencer]

McCauley is a pure "In BB and his friends we trust" situation.

Pat Hill has praised him to the skies. Pat Hill has benched him for lack of effort.

Pat Hill's judgment of the young man is the deciding factor, or at least is a crucial input into Beoli's own judgment of him.

[ironwasp]

Originally Posted by Fencer

McCauley is a pure "In BB and his friends we trust" situation.

Pat Hill has praised him to the skies. Pat Hill has benched him for lack of effort.

Pat Hill's judgment of the young man is the deciding factor, or at least is a crucial input into Beoli's own judgment of him.

This is probably just about it. The guy was outstanding in his junior year, but benched towards the end of his senior year. A real mixed bag. I suspect only strong personal endorsement from Pat Hill gets him onto the Pats in round one.

[PATSNUTme]

If he can get his head together he can be a very good player. BB/Scott will dig deeper than any one of us can, so if they find he's a Patriot type player, then we should take him after Willis.

[sebman2112]

See I was all over McCauley prior to the season as a future Patriot. Marcus played very well the season before, and was actually their best CB (even better than Marshall, who I loved). This past season he flashed his talents at times, but for some reason didn't show it consistantly. Also he played pretty physical in '05, and during some '06 games, but McCauley started shying away from contact, and started playing at a lessor level as the season progressed. Some think he was trying to protect against injury, but as Marcus himself admitted he was trying to do to much. He was all over the field a lot of times trying to cover for the weaknesses of teammates, which sometimes found Marcus out of position.

If Pat Hill gives him a good review I would be fine with drafting him, because Marcus is very talented. Marcus is also extremely versatile and can play all four secondary positions which makes him more appealing. Considering McCauley's talent and how well BB's coaching staff has developed CB's, I think Marcus could turn into an elite CB.

Even though Marcus regressed, or didn't live up to expectation in '06, a lot of scouting reports still say he has the talent to develop into an elite cover corner:

"With all that said, McCauley still possesses the physical tools of a premier NFL cover corner, including an exceptional combination of size, athletic ability and speed. McCauley could slip to the end of the first round or beginning of the second round, in which case he's worth the gamble as a risk-reward prospect with loads of upside." - Scouts Inc.

[patfanken]

Everybody here keeps talking about his PHYSICAL SKILLS. However the Pats value what is going on in the Player's head as much as his body. HUGE alarm bells have to be ringing when a supposedly FIRST Round NFL prospect is benched at the end of the season. So don't talk to me about how well he ran around cones, that stuff JUST speaks to POTENTIAL. We need to deal with PRODUCTION. Remember this kid didn't just suck at the end of the year, he sucked at the senior bowl too.

In one sense, assuming Hill gives his blessing, this may work to the Pats advantage. I see McCauley dropping to the second round. I wouldn't hate it if the Pats took him in there, while picking up and extra pick next year.

BOTTOM LINE: For all we know McCauley, based on Hill's recommendation, McCauley could be OFF the Pats' draft board compeletly.

[sebman2112]

Originally Posted by patfanken

Everybody here keeps talking about his PHYSICAL SKILLS. However the Pats value what is going on in the Player's head as much as his body. HUGE alarm bells have to be ringing when a supposedly FIRST Round NFL prospect is benched at the end of the season. So don't talk to me about how well he ran around cones, that stuff JUST speaks to POTENTIAL. We need to deal with PRODUCTION. Remember this kid didn't just suck at the end of the year, he sucked at the senior bowl too.

In one sense, assuming Hill gives his blessing, this may work to the Pats advantage. I see McCauley dropping to the second round. I wouldn't hate it if the Pats took him in there, while picking up and extra pick next year.

BOTTOM LINE: For all we know McCauley, based on Hill's recommendation, McCauley could be OFF the Pats' draft board compeletly.

Why do you think we said a lot will depend on what Hill tells BB about McCauley? He has the physical skill to become a very good NFL corner, but his performance in '06 made him less appealing. How was that not evident in previous statements?

I'm only replying to you this way because you said:
"Everybody here keeps talking about his PHYSICAL SKILLS. However the Pats value what is going on in the Player's head as much as his body."

That statement simply is not true (interms of your take on our comments), and the capitalization can be taken as shouting so it makes your post come off a bit rude.