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

[patriot lifer]

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.

great job with the type up by the way. :verycool:

 

[jmt57]

One thing that has become very apparent the last few years is the effect of injuries on not just the Patriots, but any NFL team. I would point to examples from last year of the offensive line of the Jaguars, the Rams offensive line, the Colts in games Jeff Saturday could not start, and what happened to both Ben Roethlisburger and their team's running game when the Steeler's offensive line was dealing with mid-season injuries. After players were banged up or out on the defensive line and at linebacker Tampa Bay went from a good defensive team to one that was being absolutely run over in their last four games. Maybe not the best examples since they are at different positions, but I hope you get my point.

So while this current Patriots roster may not include a DeMarcus Ware or Nnamdi Asomugha, it may be better set up to survive the rigors of NFL season. When the inevitable injury does happen, there should be far less of a dropoff in production than that which other teams may experience. That in turn could put them in better position than many other teams for this 2009 season.

 

[patchick]

This is just to say how amazing it is that we're not even talking about a highly touted rookie like Butler being in the mix for the nickel spot (and through no fault of his own).

It all remains to be seen on the field, of course, but at this stage the rebuilding of the secondary looks mighty impressive.

 

[spacecrime]

This is just to say how amazing it is that we're not even talking about a highly touted rookie like Butler being in the mix for the nickel spot (and through no fault of his own).

It all remains to be seen on the field, of course, but at this stage the rebuilding of the secondary looks mighty impressive.

What a difference a year makes. Last year the discussion was trying to find two worthy players to start at corner. This year we are trying to pick two among the several players worthy of starting.

 

[Deus Irae]

What a difference a year makes. Last year the discussion was trying to find two worthy players to start at corner. This year we are trying to pick two among the several players worthy of starting.

Last year, the team had 1 definite starter quality player and a bunch of question marks.

This year, the team has 1 definite starter quality player and a bunch of question marks.

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

Last year, the team had 1 definite starter quality player and a bunch of question marks.

This year, the team has 1 definite starter quality player and a bunch of question marks.

I think you can argue whether Hobbs was worthy of starting. Clearly he wasn't, that's why the Pats shipped him off for nothing.

 

[Deus Irae]

I think you can argue whether Hobbs was worthy of starting. Clearly he wasn't, that's why the Pats shipped him off for nothing.

You can argue it. That just makes me more confident that he was worthy.

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

You can argue it. That just makes me more confident that he was worthy.

Ok, then why was he shipped off for nothing?

 

[jmt57]

Last year, the team had 1 definite starter quality player and a bunch of question marks.

This year, the team has 1 definite starter quality player and a bunch of question marks.

I should know better, but I'll go ahead and take the bait. Though both the 2008 and 2009 rosters may (or may not) have had only one definite starter and a bunch of question marks, do you really feel you can simply dismiss the current squad by implying they are essentially the same as last years group?

At this time last year we were looking at Hobbs, Bryant, Wheatley, Wilhite, Spann, Richardson, Lewis Sanders, and the possibility of transitioning Meriweather into a CB.

This year the options appear to be Bodden, Springs, Wheatley, Wilhite, Butler, Spann, and Richardson.

The players on both the '08 and '09 rosters - Wheatley, Wilhite, Spann and Richardson - are all upgrades because they have an additional year of experience without yet reaching a point of decline in speed and reaction.

That leaves the following:
Bodden: Hobbs
Springs: Bryant (O'Neal)
Butler: L Sanders

Even if you were to make an argument that Hobbs is as good or better than Bodden, the other moves on the positive side (e.g., whomever you compare to Bryant or O'Neal) make the 2009 cornerbacks far superior to the 2008 group.

 

[BelichickFan]

Last year, the team had 1 definite starter quality player and a bunch of question marks.

This year, the team has 1 definite starter quality player and a bunch of question marks.

Bodden vs. Hobbs. I'll call it even but it'll be Bodden by year's end.
Springs vs. O'Neal. Duh.
Wheatley 2nd year vs. Wheatley 1st year. Wheatley 2nd year wins.
Willhite 2nd year vs. Willhite 1st year. Willhite 2nd year wins.
Butler vs.Lewis Sanders. Butler wins.

You can label them question marks all you like, the reality is every CB spot is better now than last year other than MAYBE Hobbs' spot; although I disagree with you there, the argument could at least be made. Two through five there isn't even a plausible argument.

 

[unoriginal]

Last year, the team had 1 definite starter quality player and a bunch of question marks.

This year, the team has 1 definite starter quality player and a bunch of question marks.

I was going to post something similar, but then I had a moment of clarity regarding the responses I was going to get.

I'm optimistic about the secondary this year, but I think a lot of that is because we have no idea where the ceiling is (so it must be high, right?) and just the thrill of the new. Wilhite is the most experienced corner in the Pats system right now.

 

[BradyFTW!]

I was going to post something similar, but then I had a moment of clarity regarding the responses I was going to get.

I'm optimistic about the secondary this year, but I think a lot of that is because we have no idea where the ceiling is (so it must be high, right?) and just the thrill of the new. Wilhite is the most experienced corner in the Pats system right now.

Do you think that Bodden's experience in Crennel's defense warrants consideration? I'm on the fence myself, but I guess that would be largely the crux of it.

Still, though, I think there's a notable difference in the circumstances of the #1 CB's departure between 2007 and 2008. When Asante left, it was because Philly overpaid for him and we couldn't afford to match. When Hobbs left it was because we traded him, which would seem to indicate that Belichick felt he was expendable. I find that, in of itself, somewhat encouraging as far as how he regards the crop of CBs. If the alternative was starting a Deltha O'Neal-caliber corner, I think that Belichick would have just held on to Hobbs instead.

 

[Deus Irae]

Bodden vs. Hobbs. I'll call it even but it'll be Bodden by year's end.
Springs vs. O'Neal. Duh.
Wheatley 2nd year vs. Wheatley 1st year. Wheatley 2nd year wins.
Willhite 2nd year vs. Willhite 1st year. Willhite 2nd year wins.
Butler vs.Lewis Sanders. Butler wins.

You can label them question marks all you like, the reality is every CB spot is better now than last year other than MAYBE Hobbs' spot; although I disagree with you there, the argument could at least be made. Two through five there isn't even a plausible argument.

Sure there is, but people don't want to admit the blatantly obvious. Last year, there was Hobbs and Bryant, and Webster, and some 2nd round draft pick with nice measurables, and another kid taken later in the draft. It's the same basic scenario playing itself out again. The hope is that this time it works.

 

[unoriginal]

Do you think that Bodden's experience in Crennel's defense warrants consideration? I'm on the fence myself, but I guess that would be largely the crux of it.

Absolutely. I assumed he was the 1 definite starter Deus was talking about. I see Springs as a matchup guy because of age and injury concerns.

 

[jmt57]

I wouldn't be surprised if Springs ends up with a whole lot less playing time than many seem to be assuming he will end up with. As mentioned by others, I can see him playing a whole lot against some big receivers - obviously Owens in the two games against the Bills - but beyond that, who else? Perhaps Denver (Brandon Marshall), Tennesee (Justin Gage), and New Orleans (Marques Colston). Other than that, I would expect other corners to be on the field for majority of the snaps in the eleven other games.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Last year, the team had 1 definite starter quality player and a bunch of question marks.

This year, the team has 1 definite starter quality player and a bunch of question marks.

Ian really does need to bring rep back. +1

 

[JFK]

Why are people giving Wheat a better chance than Wilh? The next CB drafted after Wheat was Wilh in the 08 draft. I think Wilh is better and the future of our Cb along with Butler and Wheat @ nickle. Bodden would get traded and our young secondary would grow together. Springs has one more year in 2010

 

[nashvillepatsfan]

Why are people giving Wheat a better chance than Wilh? The next CB drafted after Wheat was Wilh in the 08 draft. I think Wilh is better and the future of our Cb along with Butler and Wheat @ nickle. Bodden would get traded and our young secondary would grow together. Springs has one more year in 2010

I thought Bodden was a one year deal? If so, we couldnt trade him

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Why are people giving Wheat a better chance than Wilh? The next CB drafted after Wheat was Wilh in the 08 draft. I think Wilh is better and the future of our Cb along with Butler and Wheat @ nickle. Bodden would get traded and our young secondary would grow together. Springs has one more year in 2010

Wilhite saw more playing time last season, his development is further along. Wheatley is more of a playmaker than Wilhite, so he'll be competitive soon enough, but for the start of camp, Wilhite has the edge. When camp starts NE will have two veteran free agent starters, a returning starter (Wilhite), Wheatley and Richardson who have limited playing time, two rookies, and a couple S/CB tweeners. Sounds like a camp battle Chris Price should be watching.

 

[JFK]

I thought Bodden was a one year deal? If so, we couldnt trade him

Really? Can't we tag and trade??