Defensive Backfield

[Bostonian1962]

Did everybody realize, what I just realized recently:

Excluding Springs, who is on the bubble to even make the team, if you believe what you read, the oldest DB on the team is currently only 27 years old (Boddin).

That, to me bodes very well for the future. We seem to have a bunch of not only talented players, but young talented players in the defensive backfield.

Thoughts?

 

[Mack Herron]

DBs should be vastly better than last year. Age does not mean what it used to with free agency, because if DBs develop into pro-bowl caliber players, we cannot afford them (Law, Samuel). If talented, as at least willhite, Butler, Meriweather and Chung seem to be, they are a great value while they are young.

 

[DaBruinz]

Did everybody realize, what I just realized recently:

Excluding Springs, who is on the bubble to even make the team, if you believe what you read, the oldest DB on the team is currently only 27 years old (Boddin).

That, to me bodes very well for the future. We seem to have a bunch of not only talented players, but young talented players in the defensive backfield.

Thoughts?

What makes you think that Springs is on the bubble to make the team???

 

[Ochmed Jones]

What makes you think that Springs is on the bubble to make the team???

Did you not see Benson, juke Springs out of his jock strap in the last game? Based on game performance, Springs looks weak. slow and one hit from a physical breakdown.

 

[Ring 6]

Did you not see Benson, juke Springs out of his jock strap in the last game? Based on game performance, Springs looks weak. slow and one hit from a physical breakdown.

I dont think one play decides that a guy who has been a very good tackler for an entire career forgot how.
How can you "Look one hit from a physical breakdown"?

 

[bbabin]

I dont think one play decides that a guy who has been a very good tackler for an entire career forgot how.
How can you "Look one hit from a physical breakdown"?

Yeah, I'd like to see the list of players who, when hit in the knee from the side don't tear their ACL's. Let's sign them.

 

[PatsDparty]

Did you not see Benson, juke Springs out of his jock strap in the last game? Based on game performance, Springs looks weak. slow and one hit from a physical breakdown.

Brady looked pretty weak on that INT he threw in Philly, he might be on the bubble as well.

 

[spacecrime]

Did everybody realize, what I just realized recently:

Excluding Springs, who is on the bubble to even make the team, if you believe what you read

Where did you read that? Here, where people are ready to cut Wheatley?

Springs got a $2.7 mil signing bonus and has not played poorly. Why in the world would he be cut?

 

[spacecrime]

Brady looked pretty weak on that INT he threw in Philly, he might be on the bubble as well.

Cut him, the loser. He hasn't played much at all this year after being out all last year. Brady's made of glass. Him and Seymour. Cut 'em both!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[mayoclinic]

I don't think Springs is on the bubble. But, as the OP points out, our other DBs are all 27 or under. And, many of them are signed for the next 3+ years:

S Meriweather - 25; signed through 2011
S Chung - 22; not sure about the duration of his contract
S Sanders - will be 26 in November; signed through 2011
S McGowan - will be 26 in September; signed through 2010
CB Butler - 23; signed through 2012
CB Bodden - will be 28 in September; signed through 2009
CB Wheatley - 24; signed through 2011
CB Wilhite - 25; signed through 2011

That's potentially the nucleus of a great defensive backfield, most of them signed through 2011, with only Bodden a FA after this year. After all of of the turnover and disruption of the past few years, having a nucleus of talented young DBs signed for a 3 year period would be phenomenal. That's part of why I could see potentially extending Bodden early if he looks to be worth keeping. Just like the FO seems to be locking down a good bit of the OL early, having the secondary be a non-issue for the offseason would be a breath of fresh air.

 

[Rob0729]

Did you not see Benson, juke Springs out of his jock strap in the last game? Based on game performance, Springs looks weak. slow and one hit from a physical breakdown.

One play isn't going to win or lose anyone a roster spot. Springs has been injured and this was his first game back. He will be given some time to prove himself.

My take is that the defensive backfield is pretty much already set. I don't expect to see any surprise cuts or additions to the roster from that area.

 

[fester]

I don't think Springs is on the bubble. But, as the OP points out, our other DBs are all 27 or under. And, many of them are signed for the next 3+ years:

S Meriweather - 25; signed through 2011
S Chung - 22; not sure about the duration of his contract
S Sanders - will be 26 in November; signed through 2011
S McGowan - will be 26 in September; signed through 2010
CB Butler - 23; signed through 2012
CB Bodden - will be 28 in September; signed through 2009
CB Wheatley - 24; signed through 2011
CB Wilhite - 25; signed through 2011

Chung is on a 4 year contract, so that is through the last game of the 2012/2013 season. The most notable thing is that excluding Sanders, all of the multi-years remaining contracts are comparatively cheap contracts.

 

[mgteich]

I added Springs who certainly isn't on the bubble to your post as well as putting in Chung's contract length. We have a fine young set of SEVEN defensive backs signed through 2011. Only Bodden (2009) and McGowan (2010) need to be replaced before the 2012 season.

I think congrats are in order to the front office for taking care of business!

I don't think Springs is on the bubble. But, as the OP points out, our other DBs are all 27 or under. And, many of them are signed for the next 3+ years:

S Meriweather - 25; signed through 2011
S Chung - 22; signed through 2012
S Sanders - will be 26 in November; signed through 2011
S McGowan - will be 26 in September; signed through 2010
CB Butler - 23; signed through 2012
CB Bodden - will be 28 in September; signed through 2009
CB Springs - 34; signed through 2011
CB Wheatley - 24; signed through 2011
CB Wilhite - 25; signed through 2011

That's potentially the nucleus of a great defensive backfield, most of them signed through 2011, with only Bodden a FA after this year. After all of of the turnover and disruption of the past few years, having a nucleus of talented young DBs signed for a 3 year period would be phenomenal. That's part of why I could see potentially extending Bodden early if he looks to be worth keeping. Just like the FO seems to be locking down a good bit of the OL early, having the secondary be a non-issue for the offseason would be a breath of fresh air.

 

[mayoclinic]

I added Springs who certainly isn't on the bubble to your post as well as putting in Chung's contract length. We have a fine young set of SEVEN defensive backs signed through 2011. Only Bodden (2009) and McGowan (2010) need to be replaced before the 2012 season.

I think congrats are in order to the front office for taking care of business!

Agreed. They seem on the way to doing the same thing with the OL. Very impressive how the FO is managing to put together solid units with a blend of youth and veteran leadership and long-term stablity.

 

[NE39]

If Springs is healthy, I would think he is going to start.

That is especially true with them opening up against Buffalo and his history playing against Terrell Owens. I'd feel a lot more comfortable with him covering Owens than Jonathan Wilhite or Darius Butler, who may be talented but are both pretty inexperienced.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

If Springs is healthy, I would think he is going to start.

That is especially true with them opening up against Buffalo and his history playing against Terrell Owens. I'd feel a lot more comfortable with him covering Owens than Jonathan Wilhite or Darius Butler, who may be talented but are both pretty inexperienced.

Springs may start against Buffalo because of Owens, but more likely Wilhite starts since he seems to have earned the job.

 

[ausbacker]

I don't care who we put out as the defensive backs. As long as they do their job and work well as a unit, I'll be pleased.

I'm excited about the defense as a whole this season. Moreso than the offense.

 

[Lloyd_Christmas]

Excluding Springs, who is on the bubble to even make the team...

Did you not see Benson, juke Springs out of his jock strap in the last game? Based on game performance, Springs looks weak. slow and one hit from a physical breakdown.

Everyone has a right to their opinions, but I think you both are wrong about Springs being on the bubble. I agree with Spacecrime's comment that because Springs got a $2.7 mil signing bonus and has not played poorly, he will not be cut.

Any player can be made to look bad on ONE play. You can't judge a player on one play, especially a veteran player that has proved himself consistently over time.

Will Springs be one of the 2 best cornerbacks on our team when the season begins? as the season progresses? will he end up a nickel/dime back? All up for debate since we haven't seen much of him yet. However, I think it is safe to say that he makes the team.

 

[mgteich]

Springs was paid a $2.7M signing bonus and signed through 2011 in order to secure his services for that period of time. Even if he performed poorly for half a year, I still wouldn't expect him to be cut. Springs will do fine. He is capable of starting. At very least he is a 3-year backup at all the corner and safety positions.

I understand that his signing bonus is sunk cost, and long gone. He still is well worth the less than $2M a year of salary as a backup.

 

[Bostonian1962]

What makes you think that Springs is on the bubble to make the team???

Everything I've read since camp has begun. His biggest saving grace may end up being the large cap hit he will cost the team if cut.