Jonathan Wilhite

[Bring Back Antowain!]

One player that people seem to be overlooking is 2nd year cornerback Jonathan Wilhite.

I keep hearing people mentioning Butler, Wheatley, Bodden, and Springs, yet no one mentions Wilhite.

Recently, I went back and watched the final four games of the season (all of which Wilhite started), and I paid particular attention to the play of Wilhite.

In the four games, he never made any major mistakes, showed some surpising physicality, had a couple of deflections, and showed some good fluidity. While I originally thought he would be best in zone as a nickelback, he seemed to play particularly well lining up closer to the line of scrimmage playing man-to-man coverage.

There was one play, in week 14 against Seattle that really caught my eye. Seattle receiver Bobby Engram was the split right end, and Wilhite moved up closer to the line in man-to-man with Engram. Engram ended up running a fade to the right sideline and Wilhite backpedaled, turned around, and went stride for stride down the sideline to defend a deep pass from Seneca Wallace.

While there has been a lot of hype surrounding the other top 4 corners on the roster, people should not be quick to forget Wilhite. I have a feeling he is going to have a big season in 2009.

Anyone else think so?

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

Unless Butler has a ridiculous training camp, I see Wilhite as the #3 corner. He is currently ahead of Wheatley because of his wrist injury. Overall, it will be good competition between some young talented CB's.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

One player that people seem to be overlooking is 2nd year cornerback Jonathan Wilhite.

I keep hearing people mentioning Butler, Wheatley, Bodden, and Springs, yet no one mentions Wilhite.

I seriously doubt Springs can go 16 games anymore. I'm not even sure he can get out of TC uninjured, so for guys like Wilhite and Richardson, there is plenty of opportunity. Let the best man win!

 

[PYPER]

It should be a very competitive training camp at the CB position. This has the potential to be our best secondary since '03-'04. Yeah I know that is a bit premature but I'm excited to see what these guys can do.

 

[JSn]

While there has been a lot of hype surrounding the other top 4 corners on the roster, people should not be quick to forget Wilhite. I have a feeling he is going to have a big season in 2009.

Anyone else think so?

I'm pretty sure Belichick mentioned his name when asked about leaders on D this year, on Total Access.

 

[BradyManny]

While there has been a lot of hype surrounding the other top 4 corners on the roster, people should not be quick to forget Wilhite. I have a feeling he is going to have a big season in 2009.

Anyone else think so?

Quality post. I was looking thru Lindy's preseason NFL guide yesterday and they went as far to have Wilhite penciled in as the #2 CB. I think thats a little too far since Springs and Bodden seem to have #1 & 2 on lockdown (granted its early, and we've only had minicamps) - but as you show here, there is a pretty good argument for why Wilhite could be considered the next in line until proven otherwise.

There's a lot of promise in the secondary:
- Springs was a #1 CB in 2007 - had the best success rate of any CB in the league, and played in all 16 games. So there's reason for optimism.
- Bodden has been talked about a bit on this board and why he's clearly a high upside guy in this system.
- Wilhite, for the aforementioned reasons looks like he could be a quality starter.
- In Wheatley's lone start (in which he injured his hand) he was looking very active - he had a good TC and preseason last year as well.
- Butler was a bargain at #41.

 

[JFK]

He is our #2 cornerback.

 

[ALP]

i was thinking of this a couple of days ago...

through OTA's and camp, wheatley's name has come up a lot, and wilhite's hasn't

it surprised me too, but at this point i believe wheatley has surpussed wilhite on the depth chart....

i think wilhite and butler are fighting for the #4 cb spot

 

[JoeShmoe]

I can see a situation into the season where Wheatley and Wilhite and #1 and #2

The first few games of the season Wheatley looked really promising, ditto Wilhite at the end

No wonder they let Hobbs go as I think both these guys, whilst similar in stature have a bigger upside

 

[Feep50]

I can see a situation into the season where Wheatley and Wilhite and #1 and #2

The first few games of the season Wheatley looked really promising, ditto Wilhite at the end

No wonder they let Hobbs go as I think both these guys, whilst similar in stature have a bigger upside

Speaking of Hobbs.... I doubt I will miss Hobbs the CB, but I might miss Hobbs the return man a little.

Bodden and Springs are well-oiled vets. Wheatley, Wilhite, Butler and Richardson looks like a Battle Royale brewing.... Which is good for everyone!
Wilhite will have his fair shot to playing time!

 

[patchick]

i think wilhite and butler are fighting for the #4 cb spot

Unless Butler has a ridiculous training camp, I see Wilhite as the #3 corner.

I can see a situation into the season where Wheatley and Wilhite and #1 and #2

Ah, consensus!

If there's one thing you can say for sure about the CB situation, it's that it's fluid. Its not hard to imagine any pair of the top 5 candidates as a solid starting tandem by midseason. Usually that's a bad sign, but not this time, I think...it's a strong enough collection of talent. I'm not going to even pretend to have an opinion until well into camp.

 

[JSn]

I think we'll be in a position to comfortably let Bodden walk off to his next deal when the season ends. So many good candidates at such reasonable investment.

 

[Ring 6]

In a perfect world, we use the 2 veterans to transition into a secondary with Wheatley, Wilhite and Butler as the top 3 corners for the next 5 years.
That can happen quickly or slowly, either is ok by me.

 

[PatsBoy12]

Honestly, I really see a year where everyone contributes in the secondary. I think we're all just assuming that since Bodden and Springs are the veterans they'll get the nod when it's all said and done. However, I wouldn't be so sure, especially when it comes to Springs. He's probably really football smart since he's been around for so long, but he probably can't lock anyone down at his stage in his career and would probably be more suited to playing the safety position.

Assuming most of you are right about Springs and Bodden being the #1 and #2 guys, I still can't see a master game-planner in BB not devising ways to get the younger guys - Butler, Chung, Wilhite, and Wheatley - onto the field. I'm sure he'll find ways to include Chung and Butler in some exotic blitz packages. I really hope all of the guys can get onto the field in situational play at least. I'm excited about this young defense.

 

[Feep50]

In a perfect world, we use the 2 veterans to transition into a secondary with Wheatley, Wilhite and Butler as the top 3 corners for the next 5 years.
That can happen quickly or slowly, either is ok by me.

Agree 110%...... Nirvana is good veterans and hungry rookies!

 

[BradyFTW!]

Honestly, I really see a year where everyone contributes in the secondary. I think we're all just assuming that since Bodden and Springs are the veterans they'll get the nod when it's all said and done. However, I wouldn't be so sure, especially when it comes to Springs. He's probably really football smart since he's been around for so long, but he probably can't lock anyone down at his stage in his career and would probably be more suited to playing the safety position.

I'm really not all that concerned about Springs' ability: he's shown the ability to lock guys down just fine. He's also notoriously good at absolutely shutting TO down, which will help a lot when we play the Bills. I'm far more concerned about Springs' durability than ability when healthy.

 

[stinkypete]

Wilhite probably enters camp in a battle for a starting CB spot. This isn't asecondary with a clear #1 or a clear 1-3 for that matter. I can see any of the group of Springs, Bodden, Wheatley and Wilhite winning a starting job.

 

[Leave No Doubt]

Agree 110%...... Nirvana is good veterans and hungry rookies!

We've got really good balance back there, BB's put together a nice mix.

I remember Whilite as showing some good stuff when he was out there but it's true, he doesn't get much press or mention. Inquiring minds want to know

 

[PatsBoy12]

I'm really not all that concerned about Springs' ability: he's shown the ability to lock guys down just fine. He's also notoriously good at absolutely shutting TO down, which will help a lot when we play the Bills. I'm far more concerned about Springs' durability than ability when healthy.

Glad you're so confident in him. We'll see what happens when the season starts. I hope he's still up to the task.

 

[PatsBoy12]

Wilhite probably enters camp in a battle for a starting CB spot. This isn't asecondary with a clear #1 or a clear 1-3 for that matter. I can see any of the group of Springs, Bodden, Wheatley and Wilhite winning a starting job.

So can I man.