Devin McCourty: Really That Good?

[PatsBoy12]

I must say that I'm starting to feel really good about this kid. I knew nothing of him coming out of college, as I have not watched many Rutgers games (or Big East games for that matter). Everything I've read thus far suggests that he is going to be really good (understanding that they haven't been in pads yet). To those who have actually seen the kid, is he really that good?


Here is another short excerpt that speaks to his positive play so far:

10. It’s risky to make a definitive judgment based on May and June practices, but the more you watch cornerback Devin McCourty, it’s easier to see why he was the team’s first-round choice. He’s a big, physical player who looks like a natural at an outside position. He now looks like a top backup, and his presence should have a positive trickle-down effect on Jonathan Wilhite, who can now focus solely on slot duties.

Quick-hit thoughts around NFL & Pats - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

 

[JoeSixPat]

People make it seem like he was an outrageous reach - but I saw more than a few mock drafts that had him going in the first round

whether anyone works out winds up being nothing more than an educated guess by the organization

 

[Badluck]

yea im excited to see him play, i think people were more upset about the position than the player, no one was really looking at CB as a 1st round need so we didnt really look at the potential 1st round CBs, so when his name was announced im sure there was a collective "WHAT?!?!??!?!" in patriot land

 

[RayClay]

Also, people need to realize we draft the player, not the draft, or team position. People say we could have this guy, or this other cornerback was better, but the Patriots identify players they want, they don't just take the "best" CB or player available.

This guy's physical and versatile and the player they wanted, in the right spot.

That's also the beauty of having a ton of bunched picks. You get the guy you want and still have a shot at good values for other players you find similar, or bargains.

There's also no such thing as a "reach" IMO. That means you get the player you want instead of what Mel Kiper says. Seems like, if Mel Kiper can make your picks better than you can, you need to find another business.

Of course, there are bad picks. Bobby Grier made a short career out of making the pundits look like geniuses.

 

[Dragda]

we always have one of our high picks as a bit of a head scratcher--like Vollmer or Mankins. But they usually work out.

 

[patfanken]

This just confirms what I've said since the day he was drafted (btw-that sound you hear in the background is me patting myself on the back. ). Then everyone felt he was going to be a slot guy, but I believe he has a good chance at being one of the starting outside CBs, and either Wilhite or Butler working the slot.

Really folks, if this kid is as good as I hope, then we will have a VERY solid, VERY deep secondary this season.

 

[Badluck]

This just confirms what I've said since the day he was drafted (btw-that sound you hear in the background is me patting myself on the back. ). Then everyone felt he was going to be a slot guy, but I believe he has a good chance at being one of the starting outside CBs, and either Wilhite or Butler working the slot.

Really folks, if this kid is as good as I hope, then we will have a VERY solid, VERY deep secondary this season.

eventually but not any time soon
i think the depth chart will go like this:
Bodden
Butler
Wilhite
McCourty

 

[stinkypete]

McCourty was my 2nd favorite CB in the entire draft, after Haden. He struck me as kind of an old schooler, a biger, more physical CB than what the league has produced in recent years. I think he will be very, very good.

We're looking at several years of Bodden, Butler, McCourty, Meriweather and Chung in this secondary. I feel real good about that.

 

[DaBruinz]

eventually but not any time soon
i think the depth chart will go like this:
Bodden
Butler
Wilhite
McCourty

WRONG..

You can't just lump them all together.. BB said as much.

You have LCB, RCB, and then your Slot/Nickle Corner and your Dime Back. They each have their own depth charts..

 

[Rob0729]

If McCourty performed like he did at Rutgers at another school in a better conference, he would have have been a top ten pick. He was probably the closest thing to a shutdown CB in the draft. He just played for Rutgers who plays in the Big East.

If you look at his number of times thrown to vs. receptions made, he could be another Darrell Revis if he can translate those skills into the NFL. The NFL is a big leap from the Big East so it is far from a guarantee though. But I think most people overlooked this guy because of where he played and he didn't get many INTs.

 

[Calciumee]

Reading the reports, I can't help but being excited by McCourty

I think the DBs will be VERY strong this season

 

[TheComeback]

we always have one of our high picks as a bit of a head scratcher--like Vollmer or Mankins. But they usually work out.

It seems like the head-scratchers are often some of the Pats' best picks in the draft, doesn't it?

I think BB is trying to get another Ty Law in McCourty. Smart, big, good tackler, good press corner, physical player. I really hope this kid works out. He could help the defense more than some on this board believe.

 

[Ring 6]

eventually but not any time soon
i think the depth chart will go like this:
Bodden
Butler
Wilhite
McCourty

Why are you condemning a 1st round pick to be behind Wilhite who struggled terribly, and Butler who has 1 year experience (really about half a season of pt) after being picked in the 2nd?

I agree that Butler has a leg up, because of a year in the system, but McCourty has at least a decent chance of surpassing him and probably already has surpassed Wilhite.

 

[patriot lifer]

It seems like the head-scratchers are often some of the Pats' best picks in the draft, doesn't it?

Word. After we draft Logan Mankins and Vollmer, the "analysts" said that they expected the players to go in the 3rd or 4th rounds. We draft this guy and all they have to say about him is "he's a strong special teamer." That's like telling a girl she has a 'great personality.'

It'll be curious to see if he starts week 1 over Butler, who's no slouch in his own right.

 

[Ring 6]

Word. After we draft Logan Mankins and Vollmer, the "analysts" said that they expected the players to go in the 3rd or 4th rounds. We draft this guy and all they have to say about him is "he's a strong special teamer." That's like telling a girl she has a 'great personality.'

It'll be curious to see if he starts week 1 over Butler, who's no slouch in his own right.

No. ONE OF the comments made on the draft coverage was he is a good special teamer. Same as if they said, and he was a good student.
The idea that this was ALL they had to say was only created and then supported on this board. It was a fallacy to begin with.
Also NO ONE said Mankins was a 3rd rounder.

 

[patriotscpfc]

Word. After we draft Logan Mankins and Vollmer, the "analysts" said that they expected the players to go in the 3rd or 4th rounds. We draft this guy and all they have to say about him is "he's a strong special teamer." That's like telling a girl she has a 'great personality.'

It'll be curious to see if he starts week 1 over Butler, who's no slouch in his own right.

I'm curious to see how long until Butler and McCourty are starting. If they earn their spots, we've got 4 years of high-level Secondary play ahead.

 

[convertedpatsfan]

I have really high hopes for McCourty, but I think we need to tone it down for this season. He's still a rookie, still has a lot to learn, and I wouldn't be surprised if Wilhite starts the season ahead of him on the depth chart (though I still hope McCourty wins the #3 job out of TC, and expect him to overtake Wilhite at some point).

I was thinking of Butler's rookie season, and how slowly they brought him in despite not having a decent corner opposite Bodden. Though Butler and McCourty are different types of players, I think BB will bring McCourty along similarly. And I'm hopeful Butler has improved significantly in his second season to give us a solid trio of corners.

 

[Ring 6]

I have really high hopes for McCourty, but I think we need to tone it down for this season. He's still a rookie, still has a lot to learn, and I wouldn't be surprised if Wilhite starts the season ahead of him on the depth chart (though I still hope McCourty wins the #3 job out of TC, and expect him to overtake Wilhite at some point).

I was thinking of Butler's rookie season, and how slowly they brought him in despite not having a decent corner opposite Bodden. Though Butler and McCourty are different types of players, I think BB will bring McCourty along similarly. And I'm hopeful Butler has improved significantly in his second season to give us a solid trio of corners.

There is a difference between holding back your optism and thinking that a rookie can't play. Many, many rookies start in the NFL.
McCourty has more ability than anyone we have at corner. He will need to adjust to the NFL game, really adjust to being a professinal, but there is no reason he cannot, we have had a number of rookies, esp first rounders play a lot and start as rookies.
If he os behind Wilhite, then he will have had an abysmal camp. He would have to just not understand the defense to be behind Wilhite. He is simply too much better a football player.

 

[chicowalker]

No. ONE OF the comments made on the draft coverage was he is a good special teamer. Same as if they said, and he was a good student.
The idea that this was ALL they had to say was only created and then supported on this board. It was a fallacy to begin with. ...

Bingo. Will he work out and justify the 1st round pick? No idea. But somehow the fact that many think he could be a strong contributor on special teams turned into this notion the Pats used a first rounder on a special teams player.

 

[convertedpatsfan]

There is a difference between holding back your optism and thinking that a rookie can't play. Many, many rookies start in the NFL.
McCourty has more ability than anyone we have at corner. He will need to adjust to the NFL game, really adjust to being a professinal, but there is no reason he cannot, we have had a number of rookies, esp first rounders play a lot and start as rookies.
If he os behind Wilhite, then he will have had an abysmal camp. He would have to just not understand the defense to be behind Wilhite. He is simply too much better a football player.

I believe in McCourty's talent, but there's a learning curve for all rookies. Revis was decent, but nowhere near great in his first season. And a lot of people felt the Raiders wasted a pick on Nnamdi, a safety they were trying to convert to CB. And I was hoping to see Butler start every game last season, because apart from Bodden, no one else was that good.

But I expect a big year out of Butler, and maybe I'm the only one in the world (including BB), but I think Wilhite could improve. I'd be thrilled if McCourty was our #3 from day 1, but it's still a long way to go and there's a lot to learn.