Patriots concerned about Aqib Talib's work ethic

[Triumph]

I think it was more of a scheme issue than a talent issue. He was the premier press man cover guy in the league in Oak. If we re looking for a guy to do that, with alot of upside and that will come at a discount, he may be an option.

It was reported that the Philly players mailed it in for 2013 once things started going south. Everybody knew that Reid was getting fired and the ownership Philly began firing front office people well before the season was over.

It couldnt have been a good environment to play in.

 

[skspikex2]

There're some good FA CB, hope the Pats explore around.

 

[Ivan]

Talib really hasn't shown enough to warrant a 4 year 8+ million a year deal, and it is going to take that to re-sign him imo. They definitely looked better when he was at CB and McCourty was at safety but given his status and inability to stay on the field for even a short part of the season the risk is too high, especially if they have concerns about his work ethic.

Even if the Eagles release scrabble their are teams that will give him a good contract and take the chance on him, and i don't see the Patriots doing it unless the price is in their ballpark.

 

[Sicilian]

If there are questions about his work ethic, I'd rather move on. He had trouble staying healthy and may be a ticking time bomb of attitude down the road. We need a corner to replace him, but I'd rather take a chance on someone else, especially if we can upgrade the safety position.

 

[BB4PRez]

They were a much better defense with Talib on the field. Not surprised about the work ethic leak.

The only way I would be willing to go for a multi-year deal is if the front end bonus/guarantee money were not to high. Lets Talib save face by getting a big money deal in line with the market, but lets the Pats get out if he does not play up to par. If he plays well he can earn the market money I doubt Talib would agree to it...

I thought the interview with Mike Flynn on Comcast made sence. Knuckheads rarely improve becuase they have singed a big money deal, while guys that bust for short money will keep working. Unfortunately I see Talib falling more into the first catagory.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Let's see...
Concerns about next step in League discipline costing a year's suspension
Concerns about work ethic
Very good but decidedly not stellar performance at CB
Possible injury rehab concerns

I was very excited about the guy coming here despite the 1st concern, but now with more information the level of risk with Talib is very high. Now I'd prefer to roll the FA dice on another FA CB for the level of $ we'd invest in Talib. Major point being we really really need to sign a credible FA CB so McCourty can stay at FS.

 

[Marqui]

Not sure if I buy this. This was Belichick on Talib right after the Texans playoff game:

“He’s a good football player, good teammate, he’s very well-respected because of his professionalism,” Belichick said. “He studies hard and prepares well. He’s tough. He competes well, both in practice and on Sundays. Smart kid.

“I like him; the team likes him. He’s a good guy to be around, and he works hard and competes well. I think those are his most impressive qualities.”

Aqib Talib has helped shore up Patriots secondary - Sports - The Boston Globe

So Talib one week is a "great teammate and hard worker" and the next week "he's lazy and can't be trusted"? Okay...

 

[BradyFTW!]

I never got the love for Talib on this board. I thought he was just ok. He got free passes on giving up a lot of big plays which were very similar to ones that McCourty was getting killed by people for. He basically sucked unless he could manhandle the receiver. He was lost in spaces.

His greatest contribution was allowing McCourty to slide to safety and Arrington to slide to the star. He was good enough to be adequet at the LCB position which allowed the Pats to shore up other positions in the secondary.

I think the Pats can replace him in free agency with other options.

Agreed. He was a pretty good press corner. Nothing more, nothing less. I was hoping that he'd improve on his zone coverage as he got used to the system, but if the Pats have doubts about his work ethic, then that's unlikely. If this report is accurate, I doubt he's a Patriot in September.

 

[Deus Irae]

They were a much better defense with Talib on the field.

Yes, but that was much more about having a legit CB1 than it was specifically about Talib.

Not surprised about the work ethic leak...

Nor am I. "Leaks" are another one of the frequenty used tools in the toolbox for this team when it comes time to negotiate deals.

 

[JackBauer]

Yes, but that was much more about having a legit CB1 than it was specifically about Talib.

So if not Talib, who? Keenan Lewis or Brent Grimes?

 

[skspikex2]

I like Keenan Lewis and if fair money and healthy, Derek Cox.

 

[Deus Irae]

So if not Talib, who? Keenan Lewis or Brent Grimes?

I'd love them to test out Grimes' achilles and see how it's coming along.

I'd keep a serious eye on what Green Bay does with Sam Shields, in terms of what level tag they apply.

I'd take a long look at Sheldon Brown.

I'd see what both Lewis and Smith are asking for their services.



I may be wrong, but it seemed to me that the real key to Talib was just having two guys who could compete against the top WRs, and he allowed Dennard to have help rolled his way. He didn't have to shut his man down as long as he contained him. I think that there are a lot of those CBs available this year. Dennard should be better this year, so he will (hopefully) not need as much help. Bring in someone who can be functional, not spectacular, as a CB1 and they should be alright, IMO, because I think that's pretty much all Talib did last year.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

At this point his work ethic is not of concern - all you have to do is compare the patriots secondary with and without him.

 

[edboc]

List of DB Free Agents:
KFFL - 2013 NFL Free Agents

 

[JackBauer]

I'd love them to test out Grimes' achilles and see how it's coming along.

I'd keep a serious eye on what Green Bay does with Sam Shields, in terms of what level tag they apply.

I'd take a long look at Sheldon Brown.

I'd see what both Lewis and Smith are asking for their services.

Nice call on Sam Shields. Wouldn't be a bad pickup and he's got the U of Miami connection.

 

[JackBauer]

At this point his work ethic is not of concern - all you have to do is compare the patriots secondary with and without him.

Of course his work ethic is of concern. The only way it wouldn't be of concern is if replacement-quality substitutes weren't available. Which, obviously, they are.

 

[signbabybrady]

Best option get him in a one year deal much cheaper than the franchise price and let him continue to rehab his image for his big deal next year. He could go after it now and he likely can get it but next years could be huge if he came back and really proved to the world.

Even before this report I thought there were to many flags to give him a long term deal so while I think he played great for us when healthy I was ready for the team to move forward without him while hoping we could get him for one more year on short money maybe 5 or 6 for the year.

While I think he will go after the money now and you cant blame him, staying here for one more year is win win for both sides as he gets a chance to stay with a SB contender and if he were to start 19 for the SB winners next years deal would be twice as much as this years.

 

[terabthia2]

Not sure if I buy this. This was Belichick on Talib right after the Texans playoff game:

Aqib Talib has helped shore up Patriots secondary - Sports - The Boston Globe

So Talib one week is a "great teammate and hard worker" and the next week "he's lazy and can't be trusted"? Okay...

I don't think BB would say anything negative in the midst of the playoff run, regardless of the actual situation. He would not want to project anything other than a unified front. It sounds to me like he was fulifilling the minimum effort requirements, but not going the extra mile "above and beyond", so to speak, that will probably win you BB brownie points, and what is probably expected from most other players.

 

[Nikolai]

I'm one of the people who was high on Talib because of how his presence transformed the alignment of the secondary. However, the risks are pretty high, even without taking this report into consideration. There is a definite injury concern, a disciplinary concern, and a high price tag. There are other guys out there who could step in and do what he did; allow the Pats to put McCourty as FS and move Arrington to the nickel.

IF the work ethic leak has truth to it, especially in regard to his injury recovery (a veritable double-whammy), it only makes sense to pass.

 

[condon84]

Do you want a guy who's got questionable work habits but performs well on Sundays? Or a guy who's a maniac working out but is awful on Sundays?