I don't have the same expectation for Wilson as I have had for previous 2nd rounders. I think that this year's (and last year's) safety situation has been a special case. We would all like to avoid being in the same case in 2013.
We went into the offseason with the oft-injured Chung (in his contract year), Barrett (coming off IR and who has produced almost nothing) and Brown (who really doesn't play the position).
Belichick was in a desparate situation. He brought in Gregory and Allen who could play FS this year and brought back Ihedigbo to compete with Barrett and Brown for the ST spot.
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So you think Belichick, who according to most fans ignores needs (like LB) in the draft, now drafted out of desperation?
BELICHICK WANTS TO DEVELOP A YOUNG SAFETY OR TWO
He's wanted to do this for awhile.
Like, always, just as he does at every other position.
The pickings in the draft were simply aweful. Belichick had already drafted a fine DE/OLB and a fine LB. I think that he would have used the rest of the draft for a top safety prospect if one were available. I suspect that Wilson was the only player left on our board that Belichick projected as a potential future starter at safety. The choice was simple: draft Wilson or wait another year to find a reasonable developmental safety.
You are making an argument based solely on speculation to get to your forgone conclusion.
You think Wilson was a poor pick, so you have decided that you must know what special circumstances were going in BBs head so that you can both consider it a bad pick and not blame BB.
I do not for a moment believe that Wilson became a 2nd round talent the moment Belichick drafted him in the 2nd round. That would be homerism of the highest order.
Huh?
Who is the judge of whether he is a 2nd round talent? Is no other pick a second round talent just cause they were drafted in the 2nd round.
How is it homerism of the highest order to believe the player was drafted where his value is? Isn't it just the opposite to assume he isn't?
And yes, I would rather have Allen (FS) or Ihedigbo (SS) come in if there is an injury during Game One, rather than have Wilson come in.
Its nice to see that in your book Mr Wilson doesn't need to show up for camp because 2 guys who are not even sure to make the team, one who isn't a safety and another who was awful last year have already beaten him out.
I did NOT say that Wilson would not produce for the entire season.
No you didn't you said he would be a 4th or 5th safety. I translated that this means he won't contribute all year if you are correct.
Perhaps he will; perhaps by mid-season, perhaps by the playoffs, perhaps not until next year. I would be fine with any of these scenarios.
You are 'fine' if a second round pick does nothing all year?
BOTTOM LINE
We disagree. You believe that because Wilson was drafted in the 2nd round that he will perform as well as previous late first or second rounders.
Where did I say that?
I believe that Wilson is a 4th or 5th round talent that was drafted in the 2nd round because of a serious, serious need. Alternatively, he might be a 2nd round talent that takes some months to develop.
Why wouldn't he be a 2nd round talent that is ready to play like a 2nd round talent?
Again, you decided you don't like the player becuase the Kipers of the world have a different opinion than BB. I would imagine you took criticism for this and it made you feel unsupportive of BB, so now you have created a ficticious explanation that after all these years BB has now decided to chase need by drafting a 5th rounder in the 2nd round.
Did you wonder why he didn't wait and take him in the 3rd if he is a 5th rounder that somehow is such a tremendous 5th rounder we had to have him and couldn't risk trading down? If he is a 5th rounder why wouldn't the master of the trade down have traded down?
Please post anything before the draft that indicates that we should expect 2nd round talent from Wilson.
Why would there have to be something to post? Do you really think a player is only what draft followers think he is? I seem to remember hearing that other teams were prepared to take him in the 2nd as well.
And please, please don't bring up Vollmer.
Why because it conflicts with your post?
First, Gosselin and others had him on their radar. Gosselin having him relatively close to where he was drafted. Second, just because most media folks were wrong on Vollmer doesn't mean that almost all are wrong on Wilson.
But the fact that they are wrong about many, many, many players means they are wrong all the time.
That being said, Wilson could be a 16 game starter. But that won't happen because he was drafted in the 2nd round. That will be because almost everyone underestimated his talent.
Who is everyone? The best talent judge I know didn't underestimate him.
Did you really think I was saying that the reason for what he will or won't do is that he was drafted in a certain round and that is proof of his future?
FINALLY
We all know what we would say if one of the poor drafting teams drafted Wilson in the 2nd.
That makes no sense. If a team that drafted poorly drafted a guy that instead was drafted by a team that drafts well, 'we all' would say different things about him? Isn't he the same guy no matter who drafts him? Isn't being picked by a poor drafting team less of an indication that you will work out than being drafted by a team who drafts well?
You are just making things up.
The only reason that we say that he was not a major reach is that Belichick made the pick,
Who is WE?
I would agree that the people that you pay attention to think he was a reach. I would also agree that the people you pay attention to don't get it right very often.
I don't know why you feel an obligation to pretend they do.
