Belichick Praises Ihedigbo In Friday News Conference

[NEP4Life]

Leftovers from Bill Belichick - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

4. Impressions of James Ihedigbo. Asked his impressions of safety James Ihedigbo, Belichick said, "Very professional, smart guy. Did a real good job for us in the kicking game, well prepared on defense even though he didn’t have a lot of defensive playing time early, but he’s one of those guys that always paid attention, knew what to do. You put him in there, he was on top of it. As he’s gotten more of an opportunity to play, he’s really shown that he communicates well, he makes quick decisions, I think he has good football instincts and understands the game – whether its in the kicking game or defensively. The kind of guy that you tell him once and he understands it or he’ll ask a question that kind of one step ahead of your explanation. You’re explaining something and then he’s like, ‘So if this happens, then would you want me to do this? Yeah, exactly, that would be the next thing to go to.’ He’s kind of thinking one step ahead like that. He’s been a real good addition to this team."

Are these words more than the standard Belichickisms? Does Belichick's evaluation imply Jimmy has a longer than expected future at safety for the NEP?

 

[The Scrizz]

Leftovers from Bill Belichick - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston



Are these words more than the standard Belichickisms? Does Belichick's evaluation imply Jimmy has a longer than expected future at safety for the NEP?

I like Ihedigbo just fine. As a special teamer and backup safety. Great role for him. Starting, not so much. I will say he guts out every game. Even though he seems to get knocked out every game with that shoulder he's back in a few plays later.

 

[RayClay]

Leftovers from Bill Belichick - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston



Are these words more than the standard Belichickisms? Does Belichick's evaluation imply Jimmy has a longer than expected future at safety for the NEP?

I would say that's very high praise. As much as i am chagrined this guy is our best safety, he certainly is for the moment.

He's obviously a gamer.

I couldn't care less about next year, especially at safety. Let's scrape together the best of what we used this year and make some plays in the post season.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I like Ihedigbo just fine. As a special teamer and backup safety. Great role for him. Starting, not so much. I will say he guts out every game. Even though he seems to get knocked out every game with that shoulder he's back in a few plays later.

Couldn't have said it better myself. Team need guys like him.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

I just wish Ihedigbo would just get dinged up on the first play of the game so we don't have to witness it later on....it saves us the worry later.

It happens once a game,so the earlier the better

He is almost always back out there a series later.

 

[Slash]

High Praise = Ihedigbo cut tomorrow, knowing Belichick

 

[Betterthanmost]

This is not off topic.

Belichick claims Burgess is "probably as good as we've had as a run player and a pass rusher."

 

[AzPatsFan]

Ihedigbo is a heady player. But he seems to always be a step late in picking up a WR from the corners. That momentary gap has lead to lots of opposition completions. OTOH, he does seem to get there, even if all it does, is to allow him to particiapte and make the tackle AFTER the completion.

I think lots of the long completions against McCourty are where Mc is in proper trail technique, and the Safety doesn't get there to accept the handoff and render assistance with breaking up the pass completions.

 

[PatsDeb]

I've gotten the sense over the years that BB goes with what he has and makes the best lemonade he can out of lemons. What good does it do to throw this guy under the bus? He's all we've got unless/until something better falls into our laps. He's out there doing the best he can, whether he's any good or not. If Ed Reed suddenly became available, BB would sign him and wish James I. the best. Plus, it was BB who let Sanders and Merriweather go. Doesn't really help him to say that their replacement stinks (even if he does).

 

[goheels22002]

We're all happy that James Ihedigbo can think ahead. Now, how about covering somebody?

 

[PatsDeb]

We're all happy that James Ihedigbo can think ahead. Now, how about covering somebody?

LOL. He's too busy being helped off the field. That does allow the rest of the D to regroup, however, so there's a benefit.

 

[nabwong]

I was about to start a poll: In which quarter will Ihedigbo go down?

 

[Deus Irae]

Are these words more than the standard Belichickisms?

No.

Does Belichick's evaluation imply Jimmy has a longer than expected future at safety for the NEP?

Let's all hope not.

 

[Patjew]

Seems like a real BB playr. A good STer who's doing his best to help the D. Also a very decent human being from all accounts.

 

[patchick]

I think it is 100% sincere flattery, and well earned. I think it's also telling that BB gave a long, detailed compliment without actually saying anything about Ihedigbo's play on defense.

Ihedigbo came to the Pats with the reputation of being a highly intelligent and all-around impressive person, a great locker room presence, a strong special teams contributor...and a back-of-the-roster safety. He's obviously working hard on and off the field, and toughing out a painful lingering injury. I appreciate his efforts, but I sure wish we had a real starting safety instead.

The safety position is a MESS league-wide. There's a serious talent dearth -- Meriweather's Pro Bowl nods were a clear sign of that. And the pipeline isn't looking good. In this past draft not one college safety came close to meriting a 1st-round grade.

 

[patfanken]

This is not off topic.

...and for the good season he had with us, it probably described him. Vuudu, here's a clue.....these descriptions by the coach are NOT meant to be perceived as lasting a lifetime.

 

[patfanken]

No.



Let's all hope not.

What. I guess nothing but all pros on your team DI. No room for quality special teamers who can fill in at another position and are great in the lockerroom. But I guess he's not GOOD enough for your team. I always thought you were a closet Jet fan. That's the way "they" think.

 

[Fencer]

I'm on the cynical side that says he's being praised sincerely, but without BB actually saying he's a good football player.

I would be surprised but not shocked if Ihedigbo was a starting safety at the start of training camp.

I also would be surprised but not shocked if he didn't make the team next year.

My base case prediction is that he's a backup, who gets some snaps and starts as backups commonly do, as well as getting a lot of reps on STs.

 

[Deus Irae]

What. I guess nothing but all pros on your team DI. No room for quality special teamers who can fill in at another position and are great in the lockerroom. But I guess he's not GOOD enough for your team. I always thought you were a closet Jet fan. That's the way "they" think.

Are you really going to pull out the "Jet fan" canard to use on me? You've fallen so far, Ken. Then again, as a homer who's had to pull nonsense out of his backside all year in order to pretend this defense is good, it's to be expected that the burnout would get to you.

1.) BB praises players. It's S.O.P..

2.) I expect Ihedigbo's stay at safety to last only this year as a starter, with any future time as a backup. If you want him to continue as a starter after his level of play this year, I'd suggest that you have given up on wanting your team to have good players in the starting spots. And don't give me that "nothing but all pros" crap, because this guy's not even at Sanders' level, and Sanders was certainly not an All-Pro.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

So Deus, how do you think the Jets will do Sunday?