Georgia CB Brandon Boykin

[State]

He broke his fibula in the Senior Bowl and didn't run at either the Combine or his scheduled Pro Day April 9.

He oozes athleticism. Whenever I watched him last season I kept thinking of him playing the nickel and returning punts and kickoffs.

He would be a huge upgrade for our special teams.

He might fall because of uncertainty of his bones healing. These drafts are funny things.

He's only 5'9" 1/2 but he can flat out fly.

 

[ATippett56]

Brandon Boykin, Georgia, NFL Draft - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com

 

[SirApropos]

Speaking as a Georgia and Pats fan I would welcome Boykin's talents to New England.

He is a solid Nickel CB, KR and can be occasionally used on offense so Josh would have a new toy to play with.

 

[Avenger]

Speaking as a Georgia and Pats fan I would welcome Boykin's talents to New England.

He is a solid Nickel CB, KR and can be occasionally used on offense so Josh would have a new toy to play with.

Yeah, he had a number of receptions in his college career

 

[manxman2601]

He could knock Edelman off the roster. Edelman doesn't contribute on offense and people want to keep him for his defense. Well why not have a swing guy who actually specialises on defense and might be better as a returner. Really like Boykin as a late second or third rounder depending who else is on the board. Could challenge Woodhead for some of his reps too (and not just because he's short). Had a really good bowl game.

 

[State]

The areas of the team that need most improving are replacing Guyton and Edelman.

Getting a better back-up linebacker than Gary Guyton, and having more of a threat than Julian Edelman on special teams. I think BB should be faulted for letting Guyton start as long as he did, which was really disgraceful to have to watch. I remember we had the Luke Kuechly of the early 1980s in Clayton Weishuhn. Guyton gets blocked by his own shadow, while Weishuhn tackled everything in sight until he blew out his knee.

Clayton Weishuhn plays linebacker brilliantly for the - 07.04.83 - SI Vault

Although Guyton looks the part and has the athleticism, he is one of the poorest tacklers to play linebacker in the league. Maybe ever. As much as I like him personally, I think he needs to be shown the door.

And I think Bobby Carpenter, our recent FA pickup, does just that.

Second, is watching that nice Jewish boy returning punts, Julian Edelman. Enough already!

Boykin would be a very welcome sight to my eyes playing special teams.

I don't think Edelman should remain on the roster. I thought by now he'd be an adequate receiver. But he's made his living almost solely playing ST. And rather mediocre at that.

It's just that his talent isnowhere near Boykin's, who is versatile like Troy Brown--but with game-breaking speed--and scoring more ST TDs and gaining better field position would only accentuate the double tight end package we have used so effectively.

If Boykin is available at 62, I'd definitely love to have him. I probably wouldn't complain if they took him too early at 48.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

Yup. Edelman is so mediocre on special teams that he has the highest punt return average in Patriots history.

 

[State]

I'll take your word for it, Reamer, but just last season Wes Welker was only behind him in punt returns by 0.3 yards on average. And I didn't think Welker was that effective, either. Getting long in the tooth for that.

Luckily for Edelman, he had that giant 72 yard punt return that was truly a huge hole. Even Eddie Edelman could have gotten a good chunk of yardage on that play. So for punt returns it was Edelman at 10.6 yards versus Welker's 10.3. Count me as unimpressed. New England Patriots 2011 Statistics - Team and Player Stats - ESPN

But with as good as the Patriots are on special teams, I'd like to see someone who can create opportunities, rather than take what's given.

I want someone who can strike fear in the opposing team's special teams coach. Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't Edelman does. I think it's time for options on the punt returns. I'm not feeling as complacent about it as you.

I'm fine with Ridley and Woodhead on kickoffs, what with the rule changes. But I want excitement in the punt return game.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

In 2010 Edelman averaged over 15 yards per return, second only to Devin Hester. Yes, he had a down year in 2011, but he was still well above league average (around 8 yards per return), and became only the fourth Patriot to record multiple PR for TD. His all time average is almost 14 yards per return. You have ridiculous expectations if you think that's one of the prime areas in need of an upgrade.

I get it, though. It's the offseason. Sanity will return once there's real football.

 

[borisman]

Boykin is about a notch below Jenkins. He's probably best suited for "slot corner" duty but could be another Asante Samuel with a little more speed.
Worth a gamble in the second round if the Pats go front seven with their first two picks.

 

[ATippett56]

If Boykin is available at 62, I'd definitely love to have him. I probably wouldn't complain if they took him too early at 48.

With the #62 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, Boykin provides value. With the #48 overall selection in the 2012 NFL Draft, Shea McClellin or Vinny Curry provides value.

 

[State]

The Patriots, with their talented personnel blocking and superior coaching, should be doing well on special teams.

My point is Boykin is much more exciting than Edelman. He's faster, that's probably an objective fact.

And in 2010 McCourty was awesome. Bodies change from year to year. I wouldn't assume Edelman will return to what he was. He's regressed even more than I thought--you helped me with my argument, Reamer.

I bet Edelman's been in the league longer than a lot of fans realize. This will be his fourth year. He might not be as quick or as fast he was.

Time to reload on a guy who is a triple threat: ST, offense, and defense.

 

[Leemo]

The Patriots, with their talented personnel blocking and superior coaching, should be doing well on special teams.

My point is Boykin is much more exciting than Edelman. He's faster, that's probably an objective fact.

And in 2010 McCourty was awesome. Bodies change from year to year. I wouldn't assume Edelman will return to what he was. He's regressed even more than I thought--you helped me with my argument, Reamer.

I bet Edelman's been in the league longer than a lot of fans realize. This will be his fourth year. He might not be as quick or as fast he was.

Time to reload on a guy who is a triple threat: ST, offense, and defense.

There is ZERO chance Edelman is cut and 'replaced' by Boykin.

 

[ATippett56]

There is ZERO chance Edelman is cut and 'replaced' by Boykin.

However, Will Allen is a completely different story.

 

[State]

Mike Reiss has a story about the Patriots drafting a speedster to improve the woeful kickoff returns, in which--showing how little I know--we ranked near the bottom at 29th.

10 possible Pats: Chris Rainey - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

Chris Rainey is not as good of a football player as Brandon Boykin. Both are legitimate 4.35 guys, though.

But I think the point stands that a speedster added to ST is a direction we should expect the Patriots to go.

 

[ATippett56]

Mike Reiss has a story about the Patriots drafting a speedster to improve the woeful kickoff returns, in which--showing how little I know--we ranked near the bottom at 29th.

Let's see ........

The New England Patriots select wide receiver/kick returner Brandon Tate in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft. The New England Patriots trade a fifth round draft selection in the 2012 NFL Draft for wide receiver Chad Ochocinco and cut Brandon Tate prior to the commencement of the 2011 NFL Season.

The New England Patriots are now looking for a kick returner?

What a freakin' merry-go-round!

 

[Gronkandez]

He could knock Edelman off the roster. Edelman doesn't contribute on offense and people want to keep him for his defense. Well why not have a swing guy who actually specialises on defense and might be better as a returner. Really like Boykin as a late second or third rounder depending who else is on the board. Could challenge Woodhead for some of his reps too (and not just because he's short). Had a really good bowl game.

HA HA I laughed when I read this. There was another thread about Edleman and people got all bent out of shape by comments like this. He's a very good punt returner but I'd be surprised if we see him on defense or KR again. Just my opinion. Im not sure what to think about him as a WR. He showed flashes his rookie year but not much since then. And he's been dinged up a lot.

 

[manxman2601]

HA HA I laughed when I read this. There was another thread about Edleman and people got all bent out of shape by comments like this. He's a very good punt returner but I'd be surprised if we see him on defense or KR again. Just my opinion. Im not sure what to think about him as a WR. He showed flashes his rookie year but not much since then. And he's been dinged up a lot.

I don't have a problem with Edelman, in fact I quite like him. But as per War Room, when projecting a potential pick for the Pats, one has to determine who on the roster they're likely to replace. If the Pats do pick Boykin, the chances are they like his defense/offense/special teams versatility and in that respect he'd likely be lined up to take Edelman's spot. The fact that he specialises on defense which is where Edelman gets most of his snaps nowadays would be a plus in his favour.