Would Archuleta be a good match for the Patriots?

[JoeSixPat]

Seems as though the Redskins will cut or trade Adam Archuleta soon - seeing as he might be available for a reasonable price (as the Skins will probably be soaked for a lot of guranteed money) does he fit into our defensive scheme and provide some veteran depth at Safety?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/16/AR2007031601979.html

I think he might be a good pickup for us. I'll confess some ignorance in terms of how often, beyond in the red zone, we're running a Cover 2 defense these days, but I think we're often in that mode. Overall I'd prefer a veteran over a rookie at S anyway, especially given the zone coverages we run.

Beyond that if anyone can shed more light on what happened to Adam Archuleta in Washington I'd appreciate it - I remember he was benched which I thought in part was out of the Redskin's interest in seeing if they could replace his production (and high price tag) toward's the end of the season. (This article doesn't really answer any questions)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/28/AR2006122801370.html

Seems to me that Archuleta for whatever the reason didn't fit in with the Redskin defensive scheme. I'd have to think that, assuming we are looking for a Cover 2 guy, the coaches here would be sure to use him well - making him more productive and happier.

Also, seems to me that the Redskins Defense had a helluva lot more problems than Archuletta. This article makes it sound like he was being used in a man2man defense - which is not how you want to use Archuletta and indeed, he got beat by Witten which seemed to mark the beginning of his benching.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/06/AR2006110601268.html

I kindof like the Patriots history in taking a Safety who was misused by other teams and giving him a chance to serve as a solid foundation for our defense.

 

[Remix 6]

no..he couldnt even start on 1 of the worst secondaries in the leauge. He was the 2nd highestp aid safety when he got paid and hes always been overrated. He cant cover and misses a lot of tackles.

 

[Terry Glenn is a cowgirl]

He would be a good pickup... after the humility he faced in DC, he would try his hardest to right his ship.

He can't be any worse than Hawkins...

 

[RxJock1120]

Yeah I agree, he is definetly not worth the kind of money that he will probably command. I think drafting and molding our next safety would be the better choice. Personally I have my fingers crossed that Nelson drops to us at #24.

 

[JoeSixPat]

no..he couldnt even start on 1 of the worst secondaries in the leauge. He was the 2nd highestp aid safety when he got paid and hes always been overrated. He cant cover and misses a lot of tackles.

I don't think he's going to "command" much money at all. He needs a situation where he can begin to look good again, and playing on a good defense is a good way to make that happen.

The Redskins I think were one of the worst defenses in the league. That doesn't bode well for a guy who is more of a zone guy. No one tends to look good in that situation.

No doubt he's not worth what the Skins paid him (highest paid safety in NFL history) but obviously he must have done something right to get that salary in the first place.

But generally I'm ignorant about him - can't say I've even watched him play while on the Skins.

 

[the taildragger]

If Joe Gibbs can't wait to get rid of you I don't want you on my team.

His ability is overrated and he's a backstabbing snitch. Players don't like him. Coaches don't like him. please, anyone but this guy.

 

[Rob0729]

Archuletta would only be good as a situational player on running downs. Archuletta can be a beast playing close to the line, but he is horrible at coverage. The move for the Redskins never made sense since Sean Taylor is an even better beast playing close to the line and they brought Archuletta to be their deep safety.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

not a good fit

 

[patsox23]

A terribly overrated player. No way.

 

[JoeSixPat]

like I said, I'm somewhat ignorant about him. But what the hell did he do in St. Louis to allow him to be the highest paid Safety in the league?

Yes, I know its the Redskins, but he must have some skills.

If a team with the right system wants him he can be had cheap. His salary for the next few years is effectively being paid by Washington.

 

[Don Kipines]

Archuleta is a guy who would be a good linebacker, except that he's too small. In fact I'm not sure why someone doesn't turn him into a Cato June-type player. He could play WOLB in a Tampa defense. He can cover tight ends but not receivers. He wouldn't work for us at all, there's no spot for him in our defense. Both safeties have to cover in our defense.

 

[TealSox]

Wanted him. Past tense.

Not that he is a bad player. Hits hard. Can rush the passer. Good against the run. Experienced.

At the time, I don't think the Pats need a cover two safety and if they wanted someone like him, they should just draft SS Wendling from Wyoming. Pretty much the same guy but without the experience of a cover two system.

 

[VJCPatriot]

I'd also favor drafting the safety to develop. I don't think he would cut it as a starter for us. Archuleta also looks like he may be a little old and washed up type.

 

[Commander Shears]

Basically, Archuleta is a much more expensive James Sanders. He's a very good run-stuffing safety (or at least he was a couple years ago), but he is absolutely horrendous in coverage. That's the main reason he was so upset and then didn't even play in Washington - the geniuses signed and started two run-stopping safeties and expected Archuleta not only to happily change styles, but to do it successfully. They went oh-for-two.

 

[dhamz]

No doubt he's not worth what the Skins paid him (highest paid safety in NFL history) but obviously he must have done something right to get that salary in the first place.

I think it has been proven over and over that all you need to get that kind of salary from Synder is some name recognition prior to hitting free agency.

As many have said, he's good against the run but shouldn't be on the field in anything but obvious run situations. He just can't cover anyone.

 

[JoeSixPat]

Basically, Archuleta is a much more expensive James Sanders. He's a very good run-stuffing safety (or at least he was a couple years ago), but he is absolutely horrendous in coverage. That's the main reason he was so upset and then didn't even play in Washington - the geniuses signed and started two run-stopping safeties and expected Archuleta not only to happily change styles, but to do it successfully. They went oh-for-two.

See, that's kindof my point - except for the fact that he wouldn't be a more expensive James Sanders - or at least, the team that signs him won't be paying much more than Sanders.

But given the comments about him being an awful tackler, it just seems to me he's a role player only - not someone to have on the field in passing situations, therefore, no matter what the price one has to question having him take up a roster spot.

 

[muaythaipatriot]

The reason why archleta was benched was because he covers like Duane Starks outher than that hes a dam good run stoper and bulk 5-10 lbs make him the fastest olb on the pats have also bb loves versitile players he could play olb,ss,fs we would confuse the hell outa teams. imo he would be nice fit for the right price ofcourse

 

[Urgent]

He doesn't fit the Pats needs.

The Pats are OK with big run-stuffing safeties with Harrison and Sanders. They are weak at great coverage safeties.

Further, if hypothetically Archuletta came, he would replace Mitchell or Sanders. Can he be a leading special teams player? Probably not.

The Pats need to add a coverage safety, or a young high-potential guy to lead the secondary when Harrison retires. Archuletta is neither.

 

[JackBauer]

Basically, Archuleta is a much more expensive James Sanders. He's a very good run-stuffing safety (or at least he was a couple years ago), but he is absolutely horrendous in coverage. That's the main reason he was so upset and then didn't even play in Washington - the geniuses signed and started two run-stopping safeties and expected Archuleta not only to happily change styles, but to do it successfully. They went oh-for-two.

There is nothing to say Sanders is "absolutely horrendous" in coverage. If you want to make comparisons, please try and at least make them apt.

As for the question at hand, no, Archuleta would not be a good match. He's terrible at just about everything.

 

[hwc]

like I said, I'm somewhat ignorant about him. But what the hell did he do in St. Louis to allow him to be the highest paid Safety in the league?

Nothing. He stunk in St. Louis, too. The Redskins are famous for paying ridiculous money for bad players.