Opinions Consolidated: How bad does the Bodden loss hurt us?

[DW Toys]

And I do not understand this at all. We haven't seen any sign in preseason of the run defense being a problem.

Cousin, I feel that Brandon Spikes maybe the difference in the run game this year. Seriously, I think he has been our best LB in the pre-season. Does anyone disagree? His girth, and there was no pun intended so stop it and enough with that, has been apparent compared to Guyton last year and a semi-injured Mayo. I am a little concerned with Mayo so far.

Here is the "IFS":
Brace
Spikes
Mayo
Chung
And a "must" pick up of a vet who can put the pressure on the QB. Why did we wiff on Wimbly? Who was sleeping there? He was a steal. I have watched him play for Oakland and he has been sound. Dallas is desperate for OL help and has a few pieces. Our cowboy to the Cowboys? DE John Henderson might have been an important pick up for nada. Ellis awaits a phone call. Still love to see Manny Lawson here and I think he can be had.
What about Osi Umenyiora? They have a surplus at DE or even the 6'7" Chris Canty who is playing a DT spot for the Giants. He disappointed there. Wasn't he a Dallas 3-4 DE that could rush the passer (he was consistent at 3-4 sack per year but with Ware he didn't have to be "that" guy)?

If these IFS can produce 20%-25% of an effort BETTER THAN LAST YEAR, it will take pressure off of the two kid CB's if not, TB better have a pro-bowl year toward points per game. "Running up the score" or so they say, would be a must especially if #24 is on the field. Would I take the old #24 back for the season to help out?....yep.

I am not a Wheatley fan and thought his loss would be insignificant not if, but when he was cut. He has certainly played decent this pre-season so I must eat my words so far.

As far as the "quick twitch" little smurfy CBs in the future? I think that experiment was B.S. and a major fail. It came back to bite us so I do not expect to see those types of picks from this organization again. I think they go after another CB in 2011 the type of Bodden. The WR are getting bigger every year. Our 5' 10" CBs are still an issue. Jump balls with T.O. , Marshall and even Edwards will kill us. Bodden hurts. Quick twitch CBs hopefully left with Pioli.
DW Toys

 

[MoLewisrocks]

No pass rush, no secondary. You'd have to be on something pretty powerful to see this team making the playoffs, sad to say.

No offense, no secondary, you'd have to be on something pretty powerful to see the JETS or Dolphins making the playoffs if you looked at things in perspective...

 

[Uncle Rico]

Definitely a loss that could hurt, but IIRC, Bodden was released by the Lions last year. He had a very good season with the Pats; at the same time I take some solace in having a coach with a good track record of developing DBs.

On McCourty: Anyone think this means he'll be used less on special teams now that he'll have to play more DB? Seems like that could hurt the team too.

 

[Pats726]

Definitely a loss that could hurt, but IIRC, Bodden was released by the Lions last year. He had a very good season with the Pats; at the same time I take some solace in having a coach with a good track record of developing DBs.

On McCourty: Anyone think this means he'll be used less on special teams now that he'll have to play more DB? Seems like that could hurt the team too.

Yes, of course he'll be used less on ST...that is why having a vet MAY help stabilize and aid the young ones in the backfield..MAY also allow DM more ST time. NOW..I would say VERY limited because of depth....

 

[SanAngeloState]

By the end of the year I think they'll be much improved. It'll be a little rough though.

Depending on how bad the rotator cuff is, it could be a career ender. I had mine fixed and while it's better it's still weaker and in some positions my mobility is limited. Reaching for something at an awkward angle it feels a little weird like it's part paralyzed or something.

I think it will probably be fine but it's a nasty thing to get. They cut mine all the way through before sewing it back up and I couldn't lift anything for about 3 months. It's still a lot tighter than the other side and it's been over a year.

 

[Rob0729]

Definitely a loss that could hurt, but IIRC, Bodden was released by the Lions last year. He had a very good season with the Pats; at the same time I take some solace in having a coach with a good track record of developing DBs.

On McCourty: Anyone think this means he'll be used less on special teams now that he'll have to play more DB? Seems like that could hurt the team too.

Would McCourty be used that much in the regular season on special teams anyway? It looks like Tate might have won the kick return responsibilities last week. McCourty hasn't been on the punt return unit. If Tate is doing kick returns and what we saw vs. the Rams is indicative of what he can do on that unit, barring injury McCourty not playing special teams will not be a factor at all.

 

[Uncle Rico]

Would McCourty be used that much in the regular season on special teams anyway? It looks like Tate might have won the kick return responsibilities last week. McCourty hasn't been on the punt return unit. If Tate is doing kick returns and what we saw vs. the Rams is indicative of what he can do on that unit, barring injury McCourty not playing special teams will not be a factor at all.

I was thinking more along the lines of how McCourty blocked I think 6 or 7 punts in college, though I guess they haven't used him that way in pre-season.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Would McCourty be used that much in the regular season on special teams anyway? It looks like Tate might have won the kick return responsibilities last week. McCourty hasn't been on the punt return unit. If Tate is doing kick returns and what we saw vs. the Rams is indicative of what he can do on that unit, barring injury McCourty not playing special teams will not be a factor at all.

McCourty was drafted based on his ability to be what Bill characterized as a four down player...

 

[Rob0729]

McCourty was drafted based on his ability to be what Bill characterized as a four down player...

And I am sure he will probably play four downs, but if he doesn't it looks like it may not be a huge loss since there looks to be other players who stand out.

 

[Rob0729]

I was thinking more along the lines of how McCourty blocked I think 6 or 7 punts in college, though I guess they haven't used him that way in pre-season.

Well, a lot of the defensive starters stay out on the punt return units. I don't know how making him a fulltime starter would change this. If he loses time on special teams because of his playing time, it will most likely be on the kick return unit as a returner.

 

[PatsBoy12]

This is another crushing loss to a Patriot team who many had questions about going into this season. I don't know if there are any positives to losing Bodden. Aside from the big contract, he was truly the best corner on the team.

As someone else already stated, Butler has looked bad this preseason and McCourty, though athletic and really impressive this preseason (Rams game aside), is still a rookie. Something else that we may be overlooking is Bodden's size. We play in a division where the Jets and Miami both have big receivers. We also play a few teams with bigger receivers, so Bodden's size was a huge asset. I just don't know. I hate to be so pessimistic, but this is a big loss.

 

[Triumph]

After last season BB looked at his defense and beyond Bodden (who is solid but not spectacular) there wasnt another CB on the roster who looked like he would step up and man the other side of the field.

Hence, CB being the # 1 selection.

NE needs a Vet with something to prove or a miracle player that gets cut and turns out half as good as Mike Vrabel.

 

[JackBauer]

After last season BB looked at his defense and beyond Bodden (who is solid but not spectacular) there wasnt another CB on the roster who looked like he would step up and man the other side of the field.

Hence, CB being the # 1 selection.

NE needs a Vet with something to prove or a miracle player that gets cut and turns out half as good as Mike Vrabel.

No offense, but your logic here is terrible.

 

[Triumph]

No offense, but your logic here is terrible.

It is? Why?

 

[Triumph]

CB was the # 1 need in this draft.

Butler may turn out but Wheatley and Wilhite are sketchy. I have no doubts that McCourty will pass Butler at some point during the season.

 

[Rob0729]

One funny thing is if you look at a lot of the Jets boards, they seem to be talking that the loss of Bodden is more devestating blow than their loss of Revis.

 

[JackBauer]

It is? Why?

Because there is absolutely no evidence for that being BB's reasoning behind drafting McCourty. Assuming it as an indictment of Butler is premature and unfounded.

More likely, he wanted to:

1.) Increase explosiveness on ST returns
2.) Recognized you now need three starting-caliber DBs in today's NFL (this is where Bodden hurts).
3.) More depth, for the perennial injury bug

 

[TedyB54]

This loss is absolutely devastating.

I love the Patriots and I want them to win the Super Bowl, but right now I don't see this team reaching 0.500.

I'm amazed at how every thread regarding a player that's been injured or is missing results in predictions of going .500 and missing the playoffs.

Mankins holds out - Pats won't be better than 8-8 or 9-7

Kazcur needing back surgery - Pats won't be better than 8-8 or 9-7

Warren IR'd - Pats won't be better than 8-8 or 9-7

Bodden IR'd - Pats won't be better than 8-8 or 9-7


How quickly fans forget that TFB missed the ENTIRE 2008 season and even with their MVP gone for the year, the Pats finished 11-5.

I suppose we should be grateful that the players themselves don't have the quitter mentality that a lot of posters on this board seem to embrace.

There hasn't been a single regulation snap played yet, but somehow you'd get the impression from peoples reactions that we're already into week 14 and the Pat's are 3-10 or something.

 

[Deus Irae]

The battle has been joined:

v.

Let the games begin!

 

[patsfan-1982]

One funny thing is if you look at a lot of the Jets boards, they seem to be talking that the loss of Bodden is more devestating blow than their loss of Revis.

i just went on gang green and one guy said... so sanchez, will make there #5 CB look like Champ Bailey, LMAO