Why CB IS a need in this years draft

[midwestpatsfan]

Hi all,
I have been reading in a lot of the discussions regarding the draft that CB is not a need in this years draft and that the patriots should look elsewhere early in the draft. I have to respectfully disagree. Here are a few reasons why:

1. Ellis Hobbs- I love Ellis Hobbs, I am an ISU grad and have always stuck up for him. I was in class with him and was in a group project with him and he was nothing but nice to me, so I am a huge Hobbs fan, always have, always will. The problem is that Hobbs seeing his personality, I think that Hobbs is going to be wanting a big payday come next year, and I cannot see the Patriots paying him what I think he will be looking for.

2. Wheatley and Whilhite- Wheatley and Whilhite are unproven commdoties. Wheatleys injuries have to come into play in the discussion, he too will basically be a rookie next year. Wilhite played well at the end of the season, but his body of work is to small to say he is a starter in this league.

3. ........ my point exactly. After those 3, who do you have? I think a top flight CB is very much a need and would have no problem with drafting someone like alphonso smith in the 1st. Watching him at the senior bowl was impressive. He almost always seem to know what route was going to be run and while he does give up some size which will hurt him on occasion, he has amazing ball skills.

Any thoughts?

 

[LuthierJr]

You're clearly forgetting Wilfork. I mean come on....the receiver will never get past the 5 yard mark.

 

[Water Boy]

I think that the majority of people think that CB is a need for this team.

I like Ellis too, but based on his current body of work, I cannot see him commanding a big money contract in FA.

 

[BelichickFan]

I know I read something about Hobbs not really liking NE (location not team) a year or so ago, I forgot how good, or not, the source was.

I also expect next year to be his last with us. He's alright, he's been worth the #3 pick we spent on him. But he's not remotely close to a top CB. We need a good CB this year and hopefully him and Wheatley will be our 2010 starters with Wilhite as the #3 guy.

 

[mgteich]

I believe that CB is a Day One need.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I believe that CB is a Day One need.

I believe CB is a Day One possibility, but there are some good looking kids carrying Day Two grades and I'd rather spend Day One picks on LB (preferably someone with SILB potential - Sintim) and S (Louis Delmas is working towards binkie status). "If" NE goes into this draft with the three Day One picks they currently have (and no extra Day One picks in 2010), then I'm hardpressed not to consider rolling one of the three picks into Day One of 2010 with the projected DL draft class I'm seeing. If NE gets an extra Day One from somewhere, I'm still going to be weighing Barwin vs. CB. And I want a WR too...I'm starting to feel like a fat guy at Golden Corral (on a 20 minute lunch break)!

 

[BelichickFan]

I believe that CB is a Day One need.

We need a guy who can start in 2010 IMO. Doesn't have to be day one, that's just two rounds. Hobbs was a 3rd round, Samuel a 4th. I will sleep fine on Saturday night if we haven't drafted a CB in the first two rounds but they'd better have a plan to get someone who can play the next day.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

We need a guy who can start in 2010 IMO. Doesn't have to be day one, that's just two rounds. Hobbs was a 3rd round, Samuel a 4th. I will sleep fine on Saturday night if we haven't drafted a CB in the first two rounds but they'd better have a plan to get someone who can play the next day.

I could see Wheatley starting from day 1 opposite Hobbs. I do not see any CB in this draft that is an upgrade over those two, provided Wheatley and Hobbs are healthy.

The best fit for a day one CB for the BB defense is Smith of Wake Forest. But Ithink BB can find a lot of CB value in the third and fourth round.

Of course the optimal choice at CB for next season is Asomugha of Oakland, provided BB can untangle him from the Davis web.
I like the idea of Cassel going to Oakland for Asomugha. Russell looks like a grossly over weight bust and Cassel's ability to run will serve him well behind that horrible OL.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I like the idea of Cassel going to Oakland for Asomugha. Russell looks like a grossly over weight bust and Cassel's ability to run will serve him well behind that horrible OL.

I didn't have you down as a Cassel hater!

 

[Ochmed Jones]

I didn't have you down as a Cassel hater!

I am not a Cassel hater. I like the kid a lot. But I think he has proven he is an NFL starter and he is better than a lot of the chuckleheads starting for most teams. And I think BB will do right by the kid and give him his chance while securing an asset or two in return.

If that asset we receive turns out to be Asomugha, then it is a win win trade for both New England and Oakland.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I am not a Cassel hater. I like the kid a lot. But I think he has proven he is an NFL starter and he is better than a lot of the chuckleheads starting for most teams. And I think BB will do right by the kid and give him his chance while securing an asset or two in return.

If that asset we receive turns out to be Asomugha, then it is a win win trade for both New England and Oakland.

Oh it's a win for NE and Oakland, but I would so hate to see Cassel in that hell-hole.

 

[BelichickFan]

I could see Wheatley starting from day 1 opposite Hobbs. I do not see any CB in this draft that is an upgrade over those two, provided Wheatley and Hobbs are healthy.

Right, I'm talking about 2010 when a rookie this year would be going into his second year. Like MWPF said, we need to draft Hobbs' replacement this season; a year ahead of his actual departure.

 

[SunnyDenmark]

CB definately day one need. I am debating whether it is the top need for Pats or is top need a ILB to take over for Bruschi. feks. spell Bruschi first half of season while learning the ropes and gradually take more reps 2nd half of season keeping Bruschi fresher for the postseason. Another good thing is that Mayo or Adalius Thomas will be calling the plays allowing the rookie ILB not be too overwhelmed.

As far as CB though , Pats do have much less quality depth at CB than they do have at LB so definately I would hope they take a day one CB. Depth at LB not a problem due to good play this year of Guyton / Woods plus also shadow roster of Seau and now Colvin. Very little quality depth at CB and they seem to get injured often (Hobbs, Richardson, and this year Wheatly). Plus Pats can't rely any more on Troy Brown to bail them out and hopefully we wont go back to scrounging CB' s off the street (E. Moorewind, plus that guy now on Jets that we had a few years back).

My final deciding factor though which is better to draft with our 1st rounder: when looking at the top 5-10 LB's vs. this years top 5-10 CB's , I am much more drooling over the top 5 LB'ers especially for the ILB position. Hopefully one of these ILB studs will drop to spot # 23. And then use one of of our two 2nd rounders to address CB and the second of our 2nd rounders for either a ball hawking safety stud to team up with Merriweather or a OLB. Great we have 3 day one picks. Hopefully we can aution off Matty C. giving Pats 4 first day picks!

 

[mgteich]

We have three Day One picks. I understand that serious needs can be met in the 3rd and 4th rounds. The question is where the following needs projects in THIS draft. Where is the value.

CB, S, LB, OG, TE, DE and any other need that you believe we have.

Box suggests that one of the three should be used for a 2010 DE stud. Since there aren't there now, he suggests trading a pick into 2010 and picking the 2010 DE then. This is certainly a reasonable position.

Perhaps Belichick has lots of 3rd and 4th rounders at CB projected as 2010 starters, or perhaps he thinks that he already has them in Wheatley and Wilhite (he would still need a 2010 nickel). We will see on draft day. I guess the question is whether you and others have lots of 3rd and 4th rounders graded as 2010 starters. One or two is certainly NOT sufficient. We have no guarantee at all of getting a particular player.

MY PERSONAL POSITION is that it will be easier to get a safety than a corner is the 3rd and 4th rounds this year. LB, CB and a trade into 2010 does seem the most reasonable outcome at this time with our top 3 picks. And, yes I would sleep fine if we didn't pick a corner. That would mean that Belichick thinks that he can get one later, or that he has already provided for the starters.

Finally, I do expect to have 2-4 free agent defensive backs signed before the draft. Who those players are will help determine the 2009 draft need at corner and at safety.

We need a guy who can start in 2010 IMO. Doesn't have to be day one, that's just two rounds. Hobbs was a 3rd round, Samuel a 4th. I will sleep fine on Saturday night if we haven't drafted a CB in the first two rounds but they'd better have a plan to get someone who can play the next day.

 

[N.Eman]

I hope we get a CB, as obviously needed. I hope we have the same results as our last year 1st rounder. (DROY)

 

[BelichickFan]

MY PERSONAL POSITION is that it will be easier to get a safety than a corner is the 3rd and 4th rounds this year.

I wouldn't be one bit surprised if we finally take a CB in the first round. It's a need - it's the biggest need IMO - and there seems to be a few CB who will be there at our pick who will be the BPA or close to it. S, ILB, OLB, OT and DE (unless they extend Seymour) are also solid needs along with WR to some extent. So I am a little more in the camp of just hoping we get a big time player somewhere and if we have to wait for the CB then so be it. But when you look at need intersecting likely value at #23, CB does look good for the pick this year.

 

[bakes781]

I think it will all depend on how the draft shapes out. If there's an early run on LBs, then you look to select a CB & vice versa. I would steer clear of WR in the 1st because of the egos usually associated with highly regarded players of that position.

 

[PatsFan2]

I could see Wheatley starting from day 1 opposite Hobbs.

I could see Wheatley spending his Patriots career in the Trainers room.

 

[DW Toys]

I know I read something about Hobbs not really liking NE (location not team) a year or so ago, I forgot how good, or not, the source was.

I also expect next year to be his last with us. He's alright, he's been worth the #3 pick we spent on him. But he's not remotely close to a top CB. We need a good CB this year and hopefully him and Wheatley will be our 2010 starters with Wilhite as the #3 guy.

Hobbs=Slot DB.
That is where he should be. He would be better in that role.
DW Toys

 

[Deus Irae]

I don't have corner in my top 3 when it comes to needs. I've got safety (Sanders is a free agent), ILB and OT as my top 3 needs. OT may seem funny, but this is a year where a quality OT may actually drop down to an area pretty close to where New England is drafting, and I think that makes taking that player a higher priority than corner. I look at CB as the #4 need, although re-signing Sanders would drop Safety down to #4 and move ILB, OT and CB up one slot each.