Do We Need Another Corner?

[mgteich]

If Wheatley is ready to be depended on, I suppose that we are OK. Page allows us to have a 3 safety rotation without Sanders. As always, there are those who aren't comfortable with Sanders being the leader of the secondary and having such a major role.

Our Current Situation
-------------------------
Starters - McCourty, Butler
Nickel/Dime - Wilhite, Sanders

We could use a JAG veteran corner, even if Wheatley is healthy.

 

[patsfaninpa]

If Wheatley is ready to be depended on, I suppose that we are OK. Page allows us to have a 3 safety rotation without Sanders. As always, there are those who aren't comfortable with Sanders being the leader of the secondary and having such a major role.

Our Current Situation
-------------------------
Starters - McCourty, Butler
Nickel/Dime - Wilhite, Sanders

We could use a JAG veteran corner, even if Wheatley is healthy.

Maybe Ty Law's family is hungry.

 

[BradyManny]

Shawn Springs might make some sense, IMO. His agent seemed to leave the door open for a return and I do not believe he has signed with anyone. I wonder if he's stayed in shape.

 

[The Brandon Five]

Shawn Springs might make some sense, IMO. His agent seemed to leave the door open for a return and I do not believe he has signed with anyone. I wonder if he's stayed in shape.

There is an open roster spot...

 

[RayClay]

Shawn Springs might make some sense, IMO. His agent seemed to leave the door open for a return and I do not believe he has signed with anyone. I wonder if he's stayed in shape.

Not this year. His attitude is what they were trying to get rid of. Besides, a lot less expensive vets to sit on the bench in case of emergency.

 

[BradyManny]

Not this year. His attitude is what they were trying to get rid of. Besides, a lot less expensive vets to sit on the bench in case of emergency.

I think the attitude thing was refuted, if I recall. The "Sorry, Shawn" story (which started the rumors of an attitude problem) turned out to have nothing to do with AD's lateness and all that. That was per SMY, who take it FWIW - she clearly became a biased outlet for AD, for right or wrong.

 

[Sicilian]

I think if Wheatley can get healthy we're ok. I wouldn't mind another corner for depth (and to avoid having Arrington or a PS guy playing the dime role), but I don't see many corners coming onto a team post camp and playing great. I'm sure it's happened, but it's rare.

If Wheatley can't come back or another corner goes down, we definitely need another body in the mix.

 

[Pats726]

If Wheatley is ready to be depended on, I suppose that we are OK. Page allows us to have a 3 safety rotation without Sanders. As always, there are those who aren't comfortable with Sanders being the leader of the secondary and having such a major role.

Our Current Situation
-------------------------
Starters - McCourty, Butler
Nickel/Dime - Wilhite, Sanders

We could use a JAG veteran corner, even if Wheatley is healthy.

Is this a change of mind??? A bit over a week ago..that was not the case at all...Wheatley's injury was also known at that point..so??? Maybe one if Wheatley is out for a LONG time..and/if the coaching staff thinks a vet could help. I also think the difference why a vdet MAY NOT be needed is Coach Brown in the DBackfield.

 

[Calciumee]

Maybe Ty Law's family is hungry.

For solid gold

 

[D-cleater]

If Wheatley is ready to be depended on, I suppose that we are OK. Page allows us to have a 3 safety rotation without Sanders. As always, there are those who aren't comfortable with Sanders being the leader of the secondary and having such a major role.

Our Current Situation
-------------------------
Starters - McCourty, Butler
Nickel/Dime - Wilhite, Sanders

We could use a JAG veteran corner, even if Wheatley is healthy.

Sanders *is* the leader of this secondary, and thats why was in there on the first few drives last sunday. With one rookie and two second year players starting, Sanders plays a very important role, as his specialty is his deep understanding of the defensive scheme and ability to communicate with the young players. As the secondary gains experience, we could see his time decrease in favor of BM.

I think we are shallow at CB, especially due to Wheatley's fragility. I like Kyle Arrington, but he may still be lacking in many areas. We need Mcourty, Butler, and Wilhite to stay healthy.

 

[TheComeback]

I think the attitude thing was refuted, if I recall. The "Sorry, Shawn" story (which started the rumors of an attitude problem) turned out to have nothing to do with AD's lateness and all that. That was per SMY, who take it FWIW - she clearly became a biased outlet for AD, for right or wrong.

No, we don't want Shawn on the team. SMY was sticking for AD and Springs, probably her two best locker room sources at the time. Springs sealed his fate in an interview a month or two ago, where he claimed that BB's scheme isn't "designed to win." It was very clear that the coaching staff didn't think highly of Springs and he has taken it personally.

 

[BPF]

Probably not:

BostonHerald.com - Blogs: Rap Sheet Blog Archive What happened at Patriots practice today as they inch closer to their first Jets showdown?

During a brief trip through the lockerroom earlier, Wheatley was not wearing the protective boot on his foot, which is likely a sign of progress.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

As long as Wilhite is geting snaps, we need another corner.

Next year we could have Butler, Bodden, Wheatley, McCourty and Arrington at the CB position. That would allow us to send Whilite to the Raiders for a 2013 first round pick. (Sweet! Thanks in advance Al!)

 

[Calciumee]

As long as Wilhite is geting snaps, we need another corner.

Next year we could have Butler, Bodden, Wheatley, McCourty and Arrington at the CB position. That would allow us to send Whilite to the Raiders for a 2013 first round pick. (Sweet! Thanks in advance Al!)

I hope we get Nnamdi aswell

 

[mgteich]

Perhaps I ahve changed my mid. I don't recall what I posted last week.

1) I was,and am, fine with our four corners if Wheatley is near 100% and ahead of Wilhite in the depth chart (or at least even or close to Wilhite). However, Wheately is still unproven. I always worry about coming abck 100% from injuries, but for Wheatley, he has never performed; he is just a hope and a dream.

2) Even with Wheatley healthy, another defensive back is solid insurance. I am NOT suggested a major trade, just the possible acquisition of a veteran backup. I always favored carrying six corners, including Bodden and special-teamer Arrington. I would think that we still could still use the sixth corner, as injury protection for the situation when an additional defensive back were down. It is a long season in a passing league. We just don't have the dominant front seven so that we don't need the depth at corner. BALT can play without Ed Reed and a couple of more defensive backs. I don't think that we should find out if we can.

And just BTW, I 100% trust Belichick's ability to direct the coaching up the kids. Brown is an able assistant. But unless Brown is ready to play dime back later in the season, we have no real options if Wheatley is out or underperforms and someone else is out.
=====================================================
The OPEN QUESTION is the best use of the last three roster spots and the Practice Squad. McKenzie and Crable on the Practice Squad may be the best way to have backup linebackers in case of injuries. Jenkins on the Practice Squad is good contingency at WR, as Sergio Brown is as a special teamer.

The offensive line is backed up on the roster since we usually carry two inactive OL's as well as two backups on Game Day. We currently have 10 OL's since Kaczur is injured. AND we have Ohrnberger on the Practice Squad, able to promoted to the 53 if needed.

The defensive line is being backed up on the roster with Love and Deaderick.
=======================================================
BOTTOM LINE
We have an open roster spot and an extra OL on the roster. I think that we have a depth issue at corner. I suggest that one of the two roster spots be used on a corner. The other would still be available for a LB, RB or for Sergio Brown.

Is this a change of mind??? A bit over a week ago..that was not the case at all...Wheatley's injury was also known at that point..so??? Maybe one if Wheatley is out for a LONG time..and/if the coaching staff thinks a vet could help. I also think the difference why a vdet MAY NOT be needed is Coach Brown in the DBackfield.

 

[MustaphaM0nd]

As long as Wilhite is geting snaps, we need another corner.

Next year we could have Butler, Bodden, Wheatley, McCourty and Arrington at the CB position. That would allow us to send Whilite to the Raiders for a 2013 first round pick. (Sweet! Thanks in advance Al!)

Maybe its just me, but it looks like the nickel back in this defense is Sanders, not Wilhite. Wilhite might be the #3 corner, but it looks like he will be seeing the field less

 

[Sicilian]

Maybe its just me, but it looks like the nickel back in this defense is Sanders, not Wilhite. Wilhite might be the #3 corner, but it looks like he will be seeing the field less

Not only that, but he didn't have a bad game against the Bengals. I thought he was always pretty close to Shipley in the slot. One of those typical, didn't do much, but didn't get burned either. I can live with that if we have to.

I'm just worried about one more injury.

 

[BradyManny]

Maybe its just me, but it looks like the nickel back in this defense is Sanders, not Wilhite. Wilhite might be the #3 corner, but it looks like he will be seeing the field less

Mayo, McCourty were ironmen on D - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

Looks like Wilhite and Sanders got pretty comparable time since we were in a nickel or dime so much. I'd say the general rule of thumb is we go 3 safeties when we want to stay a little bigger. Otherwise, Wilhite will be nickel CB in the slot.

 

[mgteich]

I agree that Wilhite and Sanders are our nickel and dime backs. Both played a lot, and would be expected to continue to do so.

The issue is what we would do with an additional injury. We went into the bengals game with the untested Wheatley injured. If two corner s were to out at any point in the year, we could use the services of an additional corner. Even with one injury, we would be thin against a passing team. After all, we are already using Sanders as corner (or dime or big nickel).

Mayo, McCourty were ironmen on D - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

Looks like Wilhite and Sanders got pretty comparable time since we were in a nickel or dime so much. I'd say the general rule of thumb is we go 3 safeties when we want to stay a little bigger. Otherwise, Wilhite will be nickel CB in the slot.

 

[convertedpatsfan]

I'd love to have another veteran corner, just not sure how to get one.

Bodden's injury really screwed up the cornerback rotation. With Leigh healthy, Butler or McCourty starts on the other side, with the other being the nickel back. One might even argue Butler with his speed might be a better nickel back option than McCourty. And then Wilhite/Wheatley for depth is great.

But now we've got the youngest starting secondary, with Wilhite playing significant minutes, and an injured/unproven Wheatley as insurance.

I don't think we need (or could even acquire) a Pro Bowl corner, just someone to push Wilhite back down to a reserve role. If he could challenge Butler for a starting spot or push Butler into the slot, that'd be even better. I like Wilhite as a depth player, but not as a permanent part of the sub package.