Jim Miller expects Wilhite to get the nod over Springs at corner

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

On Sirius NFL radio today with Ross Tucker and Jim Miller they were discussing who they think will be the starters on opening day roster and while there were not many surprises in what we expect,I thought Miller's prediction that Wilhite would get the nod over Springs as starter at corner seemed surprising,Butler was not mentioned as I think they don't see much action from the rookie barring injury to the other corners and they look at Wheately as another STer early on.

They also discussed Safety and that Chung for most of the season would retain a role on STs and as a situational Safety and be behind Williams on the depth chart.

They also predict that Pierre Woods will most likely win the starting OLB spot opposite Thomas with Crable and Cain vying for backup depth.

Does anyone think BB goes to youth over experience if both have equal to similar camp production? - BTW, They both LOVE the pickup of Leigh Bodden who they say will be a difference maker the Patriots have not had since Law and Samuel left.

I respect anything that Jim Miller says,Not only is he an intelligent sports personality analyst but he was a member of this team years ago and knows the Patriots way,Wilhite will be a surprise though,I thought Springs would be a lock unless his preseason was horrendous.

 

[BradyFTW!]

On Sirius NFL radio today with Ross Tucker and Jim Miller they were discussing who they think will be the starters on opening day roster and while there were not many surprises in what we expect,I thought Miller's prediction that Wilhite would get the nod over Springs as starter at corner seemed surprising,Butler was not mentioned as I think they don't see much action from the rookie barring injury to the other corners and they look at Wheately as another STer early on.

They also discussed Safety and that Chung for most of the season would retain a role on STs and as a situational Safety and be behind Williams on the depth chart.

They also predict that Pierre Woods will most likely win the starting OLB spot opposite Thomas with Crable and Cain vying for backup depth.

Does anyone think BB goes to youth over experience if both have equal to similar camp production? - BTW, They both LOVE the pickup of Leigh Bodden who they say will be a difference maker the Patriots have not had since Law and Samuel left.

I respect anything that Jim Miller says,Not only is he an intelligent sports personality analyst but he was a member of this team years ago and knows the Patriots way,Wilhite will be a surprise though,I thought Springs would be a lock unless his preseason was horrendous.

I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Springs not starting, but I don't think we can entirely rule out Wheatley, either. He was performing very well before he got hurt, and I'm anxious to see how he's progressed.

 

[unoriginal]

Springs at least has an obvious role if he isn't a starting corner: he is the Chad Scott "tall corner" replacement.

 

[BradyFTW!]

Springs at least has an obvious role if he isn't a starting corner: he is the Chad Scott "tall corner" replacement.

Yeah- given his long history of shutting down Terrell Owens, in particular, I look forward to seeing him match up against the physical WRs that have been hell for us the last couple of years.

 

[Deus Irae]

They are paying Springs a lot of money. I expect him to start.

 

[patriot lifer]

oh how i can't wait for the darn season to just start already. so many questions. How will Bodden play? Will Woods be effective? Is wrestling fixed?

 

[jmt57]

From what I recall Wilhite was used primarily on slot receivers; I would expect Springs to be on the outside lined up against bigger receivers like Owens. In other words, it's not like either one is starting over the other. I would expect Wheatley and Bodden to be Springs' biggest competitors for playing time, not Wilhite.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I also believe that Springs will get the starting nod, but I do respect Miller's opinion. Willhite has shown promise.

Even though I like Bodden, I'm of the opinion that anointing him as the starter opposite Springs is not a sure thing.

 

[farn]

It would be really, really interesting to see Wilhite over Springs, Wheatley, and Butler. I'd not be surprised, but it would be quite interesting. Hopefully it'd be because he's so hot in TC and not because they others fail...

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

At the moment, I expect Wilhite to be penciled in as starter to start camp. Being no football expert, but having had some experience training people, I'd look to see Wilhite paired with one of Springs/Bodden and Wheatley paired with the other initially, Butler will probably be third string working with Richardson (if he's not cut or in the training room) or Love. As for seasonal roles, Wilhite/Wheatley and Bodden would seem to be the regular starters, with Springs playing a nickel/situational role. Springs is making a lot of money, but he's also more injury prone and I expect BB to target and manage his time carefully. Week one against Terrell Owens, Springs starts.

 

[Leave No Doubt]

They are paying Springs a lot of money. I expect him to start.

:yeahthat: though I think they'll job-share depending on the situation/opponent. We know one game we'll see Springs as numero uno

But I agree, that's why Springs makes the big bucks; he's not here to be a fill-in or veteran back-up, he's here to play. Plus our secondary needs to come out smoking and make those big plays.

Springs gets the nod but I think Wilhite's going to be good. I don't see Wilhite starting unless the situation calls for it.

JMHO

 

[RobertWeathers]

Either way they are gonna have one helluva dime defense.

Springs
Bodden
Willhite
Wheatley
Merriwether
Butler/Chung

Guyton- coverage for the TE/RB
Mayo

Thomas
Sey
Wilfork/Crable

Thats some serious speed on the field

 

[farn]

Either way they are gonna have one helluva dime defense.

Springs
Bodden
Willhite
Wheatley
Merriwether
Butler/Chung

Guyton- coverage for the TE/RB
Mayo

Thomas
Sey
Wilfork/Crable

Thats some serious speed on the field

I hear you... but anyone else think it's kinda funny he mentions Big Vince a few words before "serious speed" ?

 

[RobertWeathers]

I hear you... but anyone else think it's kinda funny he mentions Big Vince a few words before "serious speed" ?

For a 325lber, he moves with great agility.

That's why I put Crable in there too.

 

[Ring 6]

Here is what I expect, by position
DE- Seymour and Warren play all the snaps they can. Wright and Green fill in.
DT- Wilfork plays every snap he can.
OLB- Thomas is on the field all the time. Woods starts opposite him, Crable is the backup to both.
ILB- Mayo 100%er. Bruschi and Guyton pretty equally share the rest of the load.
CB- Bodden and Springs are the starters. Wheatley and Wilhite compete for the nickel, with Wheatley surpassing Wilhite somewhere from camp through week 4. I fully expect all 4 to play a lot, and expect injuries among the group to dictate a lot of who plays how much. Butler will be on the outside looking in for pt unless he takes advantage of the chance he gets due to injuries. Butlers eta as a big contributor goes from week 10 to week 4 of 2010, IMO.
S- Merithwether and Sanders play full time, Chung is getting 1/3 to 1/2 of the snaps by the 2nd half of the season as their backup.

Crabel, TBC, Woods, all work in as 3rd down DEs across from AD.

 

[Leave No Doubt]

Either way they are gonna have one helluva dime defense.

Springs
Bodden
Willhite
Wheatley
Merriwether
Butler/Chung

Guyton- coverage for the TE/RB
Mayo

Thomas
Sey
Wilfork/Crable

Thats some serious speed on the field

Gives ya chills doesn't it

 

[Ring 6]

Going into last season my somewhat broken-record mantra was that we desperately needed better athletes on the field on defense on 3rd down. I traced the disappointing ends to both 06 and 07 to the lack of speed and coverage ability on the field in obvious passing situations. In the SB Eli Manning literally watched receivers run away from Gay and Harrison all day long.
I think it would seem that this area has now gone from biggest weakness to an actual strength. Our speed in the secondary may have been 32nd of 32 on 2007, and it is defintely above average now.

 

[tombonneau]

Either way they are gonna have one helluva dime defense.

Springs
Bodden
Willhite
Wheatley
Merriwether
Butler/Chung

Guyton- coverage for the TE/RB
Mayo

Thomas
Sey
Wilfork/Crable

Thats some serious speed on the field

Hopefully one of them can cover Dustin Keller on 3rd & long ....

 

[miDeuce]

Hopefully one of them can cover Dustin Keller on 3rd & long ....

Unfortunately that one was on Mayo.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Hopefully one of them can cover Dustin Keller on 3rd & long ....

You just hit on my #1-b (besides a pass-rush) concern for this defense.

In his prime, #37 brought a presence to that backfield. Receivers cut off routes and experienced a sudden case of the alligator arms when he was in their vicinity. As of right now, this backfield does not have that sledgehammer. I am covinced that they have speed, 2nd & 3rd year players and new veterans that will learn the schemes and coverages and be functional in either a zone or man-to-man coverage defense. Going back to my origional point, Chung seems to have the skills and the attitude to be that kind of player. But to expect the same level of physical play that Rodney brought to the field in Chung's rookie year is not reasonable to expect from a rookie.

IMO Sanders is serviceable, but it not a lumber-layer and Merriweather needs more meat on the bones and play with more leverage (as we saw with Keller) to be that type of hitter. IMO whatever they get out of Tank will be a bonus.

It will be interesting to see how physically and mentally tough this secondary will be in December. Specifically an "attitude" that disrupts opposing passing games. Clearly BB values physical play in the secondary and wants to see it come to fruition. I'm excited to see how it all develops.