PFW - Bryant not tough enough

[D-cleater]

http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFL/AFC/AFC+East/New+England/WWHI/default.htm

September
Sept. 4, 2008

Belichick's insistence on CB toughness leads to Bryant's release

Lest people think the NFL is all about talent, the Patriots’ release of presumed starting CB Fernando Bryant was all about one thing: his lack of toughness. The clincher was Bryant getting steamrolled by Giants TE Darcy Johnson in the preseason finale, when he barely even tried to make the tackle on a first-quarter touchdown. Although Bryant was one of the most gifted players in the Patriots’ patchwork CB stable, coach Bill Belichick showed by cutting Bryant that he is far more comfortable going in with players who aren’t afraid to stick their helmets in a pile. The irony in all this is that Belichick’s cornerbacks are typically undersized, as the coach believes the soft zone coverage he typically employs can mask physical shortcomings of his cover men. One such player who personifies the undersized-but-tough mantra is rookie Terrence Wheatley, who is penciled in to start opposite incumbent Ellis Hobbs.

I forgot who mentioned that play as being key to Bryant being cut but it appears there may be some truth to it. I'm fine with this decision, and other cuts meant to send a message to the team ( no names ;-) )

 

[363839]

When I saw that play on NFLreplay I thought of Monty Beisel getting rolled by the QB for the Giants. Granted the guy was huge for a QB but Beisel was totally chumped. He was released the next week too. IIRC.

 

[Pat the Pats Fan]

What's the quote from Bill? Don't give me a defensive player that can't tackle, what am I going to do with him?

 

[DefenseRules]

When I saw that play on NFLreplay I thought of Monty Beisel getting rolled by the QB for the Giants. Granted the guy was huge for a QB but Beisel was totally chumped. He was released the next week too. IIRC.

Forget the QB, the sight of LT running through him like he wasn't even there,
is something that I will never forget.
I am so glad that BB cut Bryant. After seeing that tightend abuse him, I started to get these horrid flashbacks of Monty Beisel and Duane Starks combined.

 

[Pat the Pats Fan]

Forget the QB, the sight of LT running through him like he wasn't even there,
is something that I will never forget.
I am so glad that BB cut Bryant. After seeing that tightend abuse him, I started to get these horrid flashbacks of Monty Beisel and Duane Starks combined.

Oh No, Duane Starks, another pro bowl CB that didn't pan out with the Pats.....

Here's hoping O'Neal is no Duane Starks.....

 

[WhiZa]

What's the quote from Bill? Don't give me a defensive player that can't tackle, what am I going to do with him?

Would have been funny if he said that after releasing him.

 

[WhiZa]

Oh No, Duane Starks, another pro bowl CB that didn't pan out with the Pats.....

Here's hoping O'Neal is no Duane Starks.....

Thye difference between Starks and O'Neal is O'Neal can come in slowly and and hopefully take over for Wheatley. Starks was supposed to be the man day1.

 

[captain stone]

So the large cushions allowed by Bryant were perhaps a manifestation of his softness rather than the implementation of the defense.

Yet another reason to prefer bigger CBs, who tend to be tougher than smaller CBs.

 

[WhiZa]

So the large cushions allowed by Bryant were perhaps a manifestation of his softness rather than the implementation of the defense.

Yet another reason to prefer bigger CBs, who tend to be tougher than smaller CBs.

Getting run over had something to do with it. You'd figure smaller CBs would have better leverage.

 

[Deus Irae]

So the large cushions allowed by Bryant were perhaps a manifestation of his softness rather than the implementation of the defense.

Yet another reason to prefer bigger CBs, who tend to be tougher than smaller CBs.

coverage ≠ tackling

 

[JSn]

So the large cushions allowed by Bryant were perhaps a manifestation of his softness rather than the implementation of the defense.

Yet another reason to prefer bigger CBs, who tend to be tougher than smaller CBs.

I don't think bigger CB's are necessarily tougher and actually smaller CB's likely have better balance when trying to drop an opponent.

"Cornerbacks who are wussies... cornerbacks who are tough... cornerbacks."

 

[Kontradiction]

So the large cushions allowed by Bryant were perhaps a manifestation of his softness rather than the implementation of the defense.

Yet another reason to prefer bigger CBs, who tend to be tougher than smaller CBs.

Was your tongue firmly planted in your cheek after this post?

 

[captain stone]

Was your tongue firmly planted in your cheek after this post?

I'm afraid not. I'm just tired of seeing these soft, injury-prone midgets paraded in & out of here. Besides, what good is being tough but small if one has to rehab from off-season hernia & shoulder surgeries instead of participating in the off-season program?

If a CB is short & small, then he needs to have elite COD & leaping abilities. Otherwise, what's wrong with a couple of taller, bigger CBs? Remember Ty Law?

 

[Deus Irae]

I'm afraid not. I'm just tired of seeing these soft, injury-prone midgets paraded in & out of here. Besides, what good is being tough but small if one has to rehab from off-season hernia & shoulder surgeries instead of participating in the off-season program?

If a CB is short & small, then he needs to have elite COD & leaping abilities. Otherwise, what's wrong with a couple of taller, bigger CBs? Remember Ty Law?

According to Pro-Football-Reference.com

Hobbs has missed 1 game in 3 seasons, playing 16 games in 2 of 3 seasons. Law has played 16 games in only 7 of 13 seasons.

Furthermore, the notion that a player is "soft" when he's playing with hand, shoulder and sports hernia issues is a bit of a disconnect.

 

[BelizePats]

Why let facts ruin a perfectly good argument????