Are we fast enough in the defensive backfield?

[Tunescribe]

Watching Tivo'd playoff games today. One thing about our defensive backfield that seems a bit troublesome: We're not that fast. Hobbs and Samuel have decent speed but our guys in general seem to have trouble closing when balls are caught in space downfield. I think our safeties and nickel/dime players are going to need some fresh blood with speed.

 

[Kontradiction]

We're too slow right now, but I believe Pioli plans to change that in the draft.

 

[Remix 6]

i think Hobbs is pretty fast..definatley fastest..with Wilson were a much faster group. Hawkins is not fast at all and Harrison is slowing down. Sanders isnt very fast but our starters CBs are fast..Hobbs/Wilson are definatley the fastest

 

[patsfan13]

Cb's did well inm the playoffs. If Gay can stay healthy we are OK Wilson has good speed, Sanders adequate. The issue in the Colt game was using backups (esp backup LB's) to cover their TE's.

The flu cost us the game.

 

[He Ban Me]

We're too slow right now, but I believe Pioli plans to change that in the draft.

Yes, I think he plans on equipping the DB's with a turbo boost

 

[He Ban Me]

Cb's did well inm the playoffs. If Gay can stay healthy we are OK Wilson has good speed, Sanders adequate. The issue in the Colt game was using backups (esp backup LB's) to cover their TE's.

The flu cost us the game.

Ahem, cough, cough...

Boy those refs sure were dirty a few years ago, cough cough

 

[jman924]

Yes, I think he plans on equipping the DB's with a turbo boost

Hold "R" to sprint!

 

[LloydBraun]

2 weeks from now we will be loaded with speed in the secondary.

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

Not only do we need some fresh blood, but we need a playmaker as well. I really hope S Reggie Nelson is available at #24 because all he does is make plays. If not, taking Griffin at #24 or #28 would be great as well. Also, I think the Pats should draft either a cornerback or T (Joe Staley-if available). I really like Chris Houston from Arkansas because of the fact he shut down some of the best prospects in the country, he's fast (4.38 40 time) and is really strong for his size. I watched the game between USC-Arkansas and Houston caught my eye because 1. He was swatting everything thrown to Jarrett and Jarrett manhandles every corner that he plays against and 2. Houston has a swagger that would fit in nicely with our secondary. If the Pats can re-sign Samuel and draft Houston, the Pats would have a pretty good looking secondary.

My updated withlist for the Pats:

Ideal draft:

#24 S Reggie Nelson
#28 CB Chris Houston (I think the Jets may take him at #25)

Good draft:

#24 CB Chris Houston
#28 S Michael Griffin

I just don't understand why mock drafts have the Pats taking either Jon Beason or the Paul guy from Penn State (I don't want to spell his last name). They both play outside LB and are undersized to play the 3-4. In my opinion, I think the Pats should take care of the secondary in round 1 and try to trade up in round two for ILB David Harris.

 

[patsfan13]

Ahem, cough, cough...

Boy those refs sure were dirty a few years ago, cough cough

They did a crappy job this year too especially the grab on Caldwell in the End Zone.

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

They did a crappy job this year too especially the grab on Caldwell in the End Zone.

That was unfortunate for Caldwell, I saw that grab in the endzone from California. The refs were standing right there looking at the play and didn't call anything. In big games, if a player isn't a big name, he probably won't get the call.

 

[zarakotas5]

No, the Pats are not. In fact, contrary to what everyone else thinks, I feel the Pats are embarrassingly unequiped in the backfield. Samuel and Hobbs I like. Harrison has a free pass for life. Sanders is good depth.

I don't know if the lack of exciting secondary is philosophical, talent, or coaching. What I do feel, is that watching the secondary of the Pats vs. the secondary of virtually most other top teams is that the Pats are ripe to be exploited every game. Of course, it rarely happens, but it IS the biggest weakness.

There is no reason for it to continue after this draft. The game is continually evolving. DBs are generally plug'n'play types with a bit of rookie mistakes, particularly the top-tier talents.

 

[RayClay]

2 weeks from now we will be loaded with speed in the secondary.

Hallelujah!

 

[BelichickFan]

Like some others have said, if I were drafting we would have two new DBs after round 1 of the draft.

If we can sign Samuel and Gay longterm, I'd draft Griffin and Merriweather, with Harrison almost done and Wilson a UFA. Sanders is a nice backup. But a CB instead of one would be fine too especially if Samuel is gone in 10 months.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

I think the Pats have been not fast for a long time. I will not say slow. They are jsut above averge speed wise and they get away with it because of the guys up front who shut down the run and the Pats typically do not have to commit a safety to shutting down the run. They are extremely disciplined in their scheme and they've been able to get away with not having alot of top end speed on the defensive field.

I definitely think that they need to add some playmakers and speed behind the front 3. I hope they get at least one def. player with speed, if not two, to go with the AD addition on the roster.

They added speed on offense, now they have to do it on defense.

 

[JackBauer]

Like some others have said, if I were drafting we would have two new DBs after round 1 of the draft.

If we can sign Samuel and Gay longterm, I'd draft Griffin and Merriweather, with Harrison almost done and Wilson a UFA. Sanders is a nice backup. But a CB instead of one would be fine too especially if Samuel is gone in 10 months.

I'll say it again: Sanders is the heir to Rodney's SS position. Right now we need a FS, or someone who can play both.

The Pats are, when healthy, fast enough, with the exception of perhaps Harrison at this point. Samuel isn't that fast, but doesn't get beat deep much. Hobbs and Gay are both pretty quick, and Wilson can run. Hawkins is a little slow, but he shouldn't be starting anyway. Sanders isn't exactly a burner but has good enough speed at SS.

What they need is speed and athleticism at LINEBACKER. Which is why I hope they draft Beason and a safety in the first round (contingent of course on Samuel).

 

[Rob0729]

No, the Pats are not. In fact, contrary to what everyone else thinks, I feel the Pats are embarrassingly unequiped in the backfield. Samuel and Hobbs I like. Harrison has a free pass for life. Sanders is good depth.

I don't know if the lack of exciting secondary is philosophical, talent, or coaching. What I do feel, is that watching the secondary of the Pats vs. the secondary of virtually most other top teams is that the Pats are ripe to be exploited every game. Of course, it rarely happens, but it IS the biggest weakness.

There is no reason for it to continue after this draft. The game is continually evolving. DBs are generally plug'n'play types with a bit of rookie mistakes, particularly the top-tier talents.

In the Patriots' system, the secondary is almost irrelevant (at least as irrelevant as far as NFL defensive systems go). The Pats' pass defense lives and dies on their front seven. That is the key of the Pats' 3-4 defense. That is why we have had 5 different starting CBs in 3 Super Bowls. The Pats are successful with different pass rush packages to get the Qb off his game. Eventhough they don't get a ton of sacks, they do make the QB throw under pressure as much or more than virtaully any other team in the NFL.

As for CB speed, the Pats don't want speedy CBs. They want CBs who are physical and will knock receivers off their routes at the line of scrimmage. The Pats use a lot of zone coverage which means speed isn't as much of an issue because the DBs pass over coverage and do not have to stay covered to a player the entire play. If we did a lot of man-to-man, then speed in our secondary would be an issue.

When have we ever had a speedy CB in the Belichick system? Ty Law? Otis Smith? Tyrone Poole? Asante Samuel? Randall Gay? Duane Starks? Chad Scott? Some of those guys had decent speed, but none of them are/were burners. Pats smart agressive CBs, not speedy guys.

 

[Brarrell]

I'll say it again: Sanders is the heir to Rodney's SS position. Right now we need a FS, or someone who can play both.

The Pats are, when healthy, fast enough, with the exception of perhaps Harrison at this point. Samuel isn't that fast, but doesn't get beat deep much. Hobbs and Gay are both pretty quick, and Wilson can run. Hawkins is a little slow, but he shouldn't be starting anyway. Sanders isn't exactly a burner but has good enough speed at SS.

What they need is speed and athleticism at LINEBACKER. Which is why I hope they draft Beason and a safety in the first round (contingent of course on Samuel).

I agree but Hawkins is very slow and he needs to be replaced. I would love to see a CB,S combo in this draft in round 1. Resign Asante to a long term contract, by the way its been awfully quiet since last week.

 

[Rob0729]

I'll say it again: Sanders is the heir to Rodney's SS position. Right now we need a FS, or someone who can play both.

The Pats are, when healthy, fast enough, with the exception of perhaps Harrison at this point. Samuel isn't that fast, but doesn't get beat deep much. Hobbs and Gay are both pretty quick, and Wilson can run. Hawkins is a little slow, but he shouldn't be starting anyway. Sanders isn't exactly a burner but has good enough speed at SS.

What they need is speed and athleticism at LINEBACKER. Which is why I hope they draft Beason and a safety in the first round (contingent of course on Samuel).

Speed is not a huge deal with either our secondary or LB corp. Bruschi, Phifer, and McGinest were never fast. All of them had great intelligence, instinct, and a nose for the ball. What we need in our LB corp is size, intelligence, versatility, and instincts. Speed and even athleticism are secondary. In fact, usually to be speedy, you have to smaller and that is a detriment at ILB because of the fact that they have to take guards head on at times. That is why Beisel was such a huge disapointment. He had speed, but he could get nuetralized pretty easily with a guard.

 

[He Ban Me]

They did a crappy job this year too especially the grab on Caldwell in the End Zone.

Let's not get started. I think the VAST majority of Pats and Colts fans thought the refs did NOT determine any outcomes. The grabbing of D. Clarks left arm as he's going up for a TD pass from Manning was a NICE GIFT to Pats fan, as the next play, the no call on Wayne was made, resulting in a FG to end the half. Go look at the tape, and report back please.