When's the last time Eugene Wilson really hit someone?

[RayClay]

We're going on about 2 1/2 years since I've seen him flying around like in his rookie year, like you expect a safety to.

Remember, this guy was a consensus low first round pick as a corner. I think he's a talented player, but I don't see him inviting contact anymore. If that's the case, he needs to find a different position than safety.

I'd rather have a hard hitting cornerback, than a "safety" who looks like he's trying to avoid injury every time he tackles.

Thoughts?

 

[SeanBruschi54]

2004.

Honestly the guys lost most of his ability and doesnt even look like a shadow of his former self. Now we know why Meriweather was drafted. Not to replace Rodney but to replace Wilson.

 

[Amnorix]

Sadly, moving him to CB seems to have really fouled him up in terms of aggressiveness. Now he's back to safety but can't seem to bring the same heat.

 

[D-cleater]

Couldn't agree more.

Assuming Meriweather is worth a first rd pick I really think Wilson's future on this team is to compete with Gay for a position at slot corner at a commensurate salary. It all depends on whether he wants to remain a Patriot or not.

 

[Slagathor]

We're going on about 2 1/2 years since I've seen him flying around like in his rookie year, like you expect a safety to.

Remember, this guy was a consensus low first round pick as a corner. I think he's a talented player, but I don't see him inviting contact anymore. If that's the case, he needs to find a different position than safety.

I'd rather have a hard hitting cornerback, than a "safety" who looks like he's trying to avoid injury every time he tackles.

Thoughts?

I don't want to pile on with my agenda here, but I've never been a big fan of Eugene.

He gets burnt alot, and truth be told, my hopes were that Merriweather would have stepped in by now.

I think Merriweather's issues are cerebral and also maturity. I'm hoping he starts getting more time as the season progresses.

I agree as he seems much less aggressive when engaging ball carriers and has ALWAYS been a sloppy tackler IMO.

 

[Oswlek]

I thought Wilson was flying around and making solid tackles up to this game.

He missed some tackles this game (like a lot of other guys) but one game does not make a season.

 

[Deus Irae]

Why do people keep bagging on individual players for this team, especially when they keep bagging on the wrong players? Yesterday, Gay, Samuel and Harrison were getting outplayed and taken advantage of. Today, the posts are complaining about Wilson. Maybe someone should start a thread complaining about Hobbs' allowing Samuel to trip him up on that touchdown to Owens while we're at it.

 

[JackBauer]

Whoa, whoa, whoa.

While I expect Meriweather to start next year at FS, what is with this "Wilson has lost most of his ability" nonsense? The fact remains that while he has been more gunshy since his injuries, he is still solid in coverage (better, I would say, than a lot of FS's around the league on balance).

 

[JackBauer]

He gets burnt alot

1) How do you define "a lot"?

2) Please provide recent examples.

I think Merriweather's issues are cerebral and also maturity. I'm hoping he starts getting more time as the season progresses.

Just like Ty Warren's were, I'm sure.

 

[WhiZa]

He does lead the team in solo tackles. That says something for FS/CB. He is getting his hits in and is around the action a lot. Also it's not surprising being a contract year.

 

[RayClay]

I'm not down on the guy either. I'm not one of the "Seymour's a pansy cause he get's hurt tying up 3 350 lb. players" crowd.

Remember, when Milloy left, for whatever reason, Harris stunk out loud and we were stuck. Eugene saved our ass and was enthusiastic about hitting next to Rodney.

I don't think he is now and there's no shame in that. The guy's a talent and he should be able to work back to corner.

Meriweather is no corner, by his own admission. In a Globe story, he was so happy to be back at safety, it wasn't funny.

That doesn't mean he won't gradually be worked at corner, but Wilson was a #1 corner, that's why the Pats traded up for him.

I'd like to see a kamikaze type worked in a little, maybe Mitchell or Baker. you never know when we'll need backups with a little game experience (Carolina Super Bowl).

 

[Rob0729]

Weird. In the Globe yesterday, Wilson was credited with his play at FS was a big reason why we haven't given up a big play this season on defense. Since the game yesterday, there hasn't been a guy who has been more trashed than Wilson. I don't get why. Harrison, Hobbs, and Samuel all gave up TDs (Hobbs and Samuel took each other out on one TD and Harrison was responsible for the other). Yet, none of them get blamed. People point to the consecutive Jones runs (one of which Wilson actually made a good tackle even if the refs got it wrong), but ignore the fact that the only reason Wilson was in place to make these plays was because the front seven didn't do their job.

Wilson is having a very good year this year. He has been primarily playing deep and he is directly credited that we do not give up many if any big plays in the open field. Yet, people find any reason to attack him.

From yesterday's Globe:

Patriots safety Eugene Wilson has quietly returned to form after two disappointing seasons in which he either underperformed or was plagued by injuries.

Entering today's showdown against the undefeated Dallas Cowboys, Wilson is tied for third on the team in tackles with 24, according to coaches' film review. His ability to get players properly aligned from his free safety spot is one of the reasons the Patriots have not given up big plays this season.
New England has allowed only one pass completion longer than 30 yards, a 36-yard reception by Cleveland's Braylon Edwards last Sunday that came with 32 seconds left in the Patriots' 34-17 win. The longest run the defense has allowed is just 16 yards.

"I feel I'm doing well. I feel like I got the defense down well," said Wilson. "I'm able to get guys to where they need to be and it's really shown. We haven't given up that many big plays, so everybody is jelling real good now."

Wilson said the biggest key for him is staying healthy. After a disappointing 2005 season in which he struggled in the absence of Rodney Harrison, Wilson played in just four games last season before going on injured reserve with a nagging hamstring problem Dec. 4.

"When you're able to go out there and not worry about a nagging injury that is holding you back from going full speed, it's always good to have that, and, as of now, I'm good and I'm happy for it," said Wilson.

Eligible for free agency after this season, Wilson may be playing for his Patriots career. He would like to stay. "Of course I love it here," said Wilson. "I got a house here. I got a family here and I'm comfortable."

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2007/10/14/wilson_isnt_playing_it_safe/

Big hits are great for the highlight reel, but I will give up big hits for a FS who plays a big role in opposing offenses not being able to give up the big play. You don't win Super Bowls for the most appearances on the Jacked Up segment.

 

[RayClay]

Whoa, whoa, whoa.

While I expect Meriweather to start next year at FS, what is with this "Wilson has lost most of his ability" nonsense? The fact remains that while he has been more gunshy since his injuries, he is still solid in coverage (better, I would say, than a lot of FS's around the league on balance).

The fact that you had to use the word "gunshy" in your comment makes my point. I don't dislike him and I think he has a lot of talent.

I just think he should gradually be moved back to his natural position in college. We do have to make an expensive decision on Samuel for next year.

The words gunshy and starting safety don't belong in the same sentence.

 

[RayClay]

Weird. In the Globe yesterday, Wilson was credited with his play at FS was a big reason why we haven't given up a big play this season on defense. Since the game yesterday, there hasn't been a guy who has been more trashed than Wilson. I don't get why. Harrison, Hobbs, and Samuel all gave up TDs (Hobbs and Samuel took each other out on one TD and Harrison was responsible for the other). Yet, none of them get blamed. People point to the consecutive Jones runs (one of which Wilson actually made a good tackle even if the refs got it wrong), but ignore the fact that the only reason Wilson was in place to make these plays was because the front seven didn't do their job.

Wilson is having a very good year this year. He has been primarily playing deep and he is directly credited that we do not give up many if any big plays in the open field. Yet, people find any reason to attack him.

From yesterday's Globe:



http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2007/10/14/wilson_isnt_playing_it_safe/

Big hits are great for the highlight reel, but I will give up big hits for a FS who plays a big role in opposing offenses not being able to give up the big play. You don't win Super Bowls for the most appearances on the Jacked Up segment.

The game was on TV. I don't need to wait for the Globe to decide what I see.

 

[JackBauer]

The fact that you had to use the word "gunshy" in your comment makes my point. I don't dislike him and I think he has a lot of talent.

I just think he should gradually be moved back to his natural position in college. We do have to make an expensive decision on Samuel for next year.

The words gunshy and starting safety don't belong in the same sentence.

Like Rob noted above, I don't put a premium on a free safety's ability to lay the lumber. I'm looking more at coverage and tackling ability (in particular the ability to prevent big plays through the air). In both regards, Wilson has played very, very well this year.

If anything, we should be starting a thread wondering if Harrison should be used in coverage at this point.

 

[Rob0729]

The game was on TV. I don't need to wait for the Globe to decide what I see.

And then you have missed that Wilson has been solid all year. No he doesn't hit people well, but he is a solid tackler. You know who can lay a smackdown on a player? Tebucky Jones. Want him back? He was one of the hardest hitter in the league. Sometime he hit his own teammate, but he made him feel it.

Wilson is having a good year. He made one or two bad tackles yesterday and people are piling on. Wilson is guy people seem to wait until he makes a few mistakes just to attack him.

 

[Rob0729]

Like Rob noted above, I don't put a premium on a free safety's ability to lay the lumber. I'm looking more at coverage and tackling ability (in particular the ability to prevent big plays through the air). In both regards, Wilson has played very, very well this year.

If anything, we should be starting a thread wondering if Harrison should be used in coverage at this point.

Exactly! We already had Tebucky Jones who could lay wood with the best of them, but had zero instincts and tackling skills and gave up tons of big plays. I don't care of Wilson is on the "Jacked Up" segment as long as we don't give up big plays because he is trolling the field deep.

 

[D-cleater]

I think a lot of it is just missing tackles, and the fact that the FS , being the last line of defense, is often asked to make the play on the ball carrier or reciever. no one is blocking the Free safety, its his job to make the tackle and Wilson isn't always getting it done.

I credit the lack of big plays to our corners more than Wilson.

 

[RayClay]

And then you have missed that Wilson has been solid all year. No he doesn't hit people well, but he is a solid tackler. You know who can lay a smackdown on a player? Tebucky Jones. Want him back? He was one of the hardest hitter in the league. Sometime he hit his own teammate, but he made him feel it.

Wilson is having a good year. He made one or two bad tackles yesterday and people are piling on. Wilson is guy people seem to wait until he makes a few mistakes just to attack him.

Well, if he had tackled that guy instead of a no arms cut around the ankles, we wouldn't be complaining that the ref didn't make the right call today would we?

Surprising how few of Harrison's tackles need referee's "interpretations".

I thought little Ellis Hobbs was more aggressive and persistent in trying to stop Barber than Wilson was.

 

[PatsMan26]

Eugene has started in the NFL since he was a rookie. That's not by accident. He missed a tackle on Barber which Harrison, Seau, Warren, Green, and Sanders did as well. By the way who eventually chased Barber out after all those players missed?