Ellis Hobbs

[SVN]

Anyone has been watching him closely this yr ? I heard felger say he could be a big problem in the colts game since a lot of teams are going on him and he isnt playing well. anyone see something ?

 

[letekro]

Anyone has been watching him closely this yr ? I heard felger say he could be a big problem in the colts game since a lot of teams are going on him and he isnt playing well. anyone see something ?

As always, he doesn't give up a lot of big plays, but he'll give up the 15-20 yd out pattern.

 

[chris_in_sunnyvale]

Hobbs is playing fine. The only guy I've seen get behind him is Ginn Jr. and that was on an overthrow. He has gotten pushed around a bit by some bigger guys after the catch, but he's so small that it's not all that surprising. Hobbs also suffers from teams throwing away from Samuel. Washington threw the most passes I've seen from any team in Samuel's direction and Asante had chances to return two for six. No wonder the other teams have avoided throwing at him.

Regards,
Chris

 

[patsgo]

Anyone has been watching him closely this yr ? I heard felger say he could be a big problem in the colts game since a lot of teams are going on him and he isnt playing well. anyone see something ?

oh wow if felger said we are in trouble, we are doomed, he is such a great football mind, thanks for the update im sure belichick will take note too

 

[Ring 6]

I think he has played extremely well. Our corner play this year (entire secondary in fact) has been as good as Ive seen in a long time.

Question: How can a corner be playing poorly when the defense is #1 in 3rd down conversions, is 4th in yards per reception, has allowed zero 40+ passes?

Most amazing stat? We have allowed on 25 3rd down conversion is 7 games. Less than 4 a game. Just to illustrate we also have 18 takeaways. That means our defense, average per game on lets up 1 more 3rd down conversion that it gets takeaways. I've never seen a stat like that before.

 

[emoney_33]

I see Hobbs doing his job. Like covering Chad tight on the line with help over the top against the Bengals, playing with more concern for the deep ball than the short pass in other games. I still see him as our best cover corner. While Asante has the better instincts and big-play ability. The Colts love to set the other team up for the deep ball with all those quick breaks for 10-15 yards, eventually the defense bites and they head back up field for a wide open bomb. I think the pats will play Hobbs very closely on Wayne with help over the top, with Asante playing a little more loose but will jump the route when Harrison tries to curl back in, again when he has help over the top. I dont see Hobbs being a problem at ALL against the Colts. The biggest problem is going to be covering the middle of the field, Anthony Gonzalez and Dallas Clark. AD, Bruschi, Seau and possibly Harrison are gonna have to come up big here, while our 4-man rush is going to have to get constant pressure on Manning.

 

[Dragda]

I haven't noticed any issues with Hobbs playing poorly.

He hasn't been called on PI, hasn't been burned. He's made quite a few tackles.

He's a pretty good starting corner.

 

[Flying Fungi]

I will echo the sentiment of Hobbs playing well. He is valuable as a CB and as a ST.

Is this one of those threads like Colvin not playing well or Vrabel being older and slowing down?

I love those threads.

 

[aluminum seats]

I think Hobbs has played well. He has played a bit off his man on some third down plays, but that's preferable to giving up a big gainer. He's always been somewhat susceptible to getting pushed down the field, but I expect his tackling to improve. He's a good player.

 

[bradmahn]

The Skins threw in Hobbs's direction only a few times, IIRC. He wasn't challenged but for a couple passes that resulted in one or two completions (again, this is from memory).

I'm not that concerned with how the corners will fare against the Colts, as I have a good deal of confidence in their abilities. They really took away the perimeters in the AFCCG, but that was after they were absolutely abused in the regular season so who knows?

What's been real exciting from a defensive perspective is that the Pats have faced some of the better TEs in the league, and none have been a viable threat. Gates was defended well save for late in the game, Witten check, Winslow check, Cooley check. Anyone else? It's encouraging to say the least.

 

[FirstAndGoal]

Hobbs plays off his man when asked. He plays tight when asked. He's fine.

 

[RayClay]

Hobbs plays off his man when asked. He plays tight when asked. He's fine.

It's all so simple, isn't it? Do what coach says.

Seriously, he's playing fine, the only issue to me is size if he has a big receiver and the Colts don't, really. He's plenty fast and physical for their reveivers IMO.

 

[Remix 6]

Hobbs is not playing "fine"

fine is okay. hes let up catches and hes getting run over by rBs and WRs when ball is caught

i saw him when he tries to jam. hes not very how do i say..great at it. He misses or gets very little and ends up chasing a step behind at the line. hes let up some catches deep..short..hasnt tackled well. i am worried..compare to way he played in post season..his game now is pretty off in terms of skill

 

[emoney_33]

Hobbs is not playing "fine"

fine is okay. hes let up catches and hes getting run over by rBs and WRs when ball is caught

i saw him when he tries to jam. hes not very how do i say..great at it. He misses or gets very little and ends up chasing a step behind at the line. hes let up some catches deep..short..hasnt tackled well. i am worried..compare to way he played in post season..his game now is pretty off in terms of skill

What are you seeing!? I don't think Chad Johnson believes he is "not very great at" jamming and covering tight. How many deep passes have the pats let up? whats the longest pass they have let up? When have you witnessed Hobbs missing many tackles? I think you are watching old game tapes of Duane Starks, ya know before Hobbs solidified that CB spot and became our best cover corner.

 

[skri65]

If Hobbs was playing poorly, we would know. He would be giving up big TD passes, giving up long PIs, and getting abused by WR's. He is doing none of these.

Hobbs is a #2 CB. He's playing like one. He's not perfect, and will be tested by the Colts. He's no all-pro, but right now, he's getting the job done.

Bashing on CB are all to easy. There's a reason QB's usually pass for more than 200 yards a game. Offenses always have the advantage. CBs get beat, and Hobbs has been beat (and will likely be beat against the Colts...just hopefully for short passes and not long ones) But no, he hasn't been abused. So in that respect, he's doing fine.

 

[drew4008]

Ouch, I forgot about Starks for a second there. What a disaster. Where's Earthwindandfire now?

 

[patsox23]

Okay, I'll say it: I think Hobbs was among the worst players on the Pats side of the field yesterday. It seemed like he gave up a lot of receptions, often there for the tackle, which is nice, but breaking up only a play or two.

I'm glad to read these responses, I'd like to be wrong, but he looked flat-out BAD to me yesterday. Will watch the tape later and see if anything looks different.

 

[emoney_33]

Okay, I'll say it: I think Hobbs was among the worst players on the Pats side of the field yesterday. It seemed like he gave up a lot of receptions, often there for the tackle, which is nice, but breaking up only a play or two.

I'm glad to read these responses, I'd like to be wrong, but he looked flat-out BAD to me yesterday. Will watch the tape later and see if anything looks different.

Santana Moss and Randel El combined for 9 catches and 84 yards. There was only one long pass to Hobbs side for 28 yards in the 3rd quarter. Other than that he allowed a couple of short 8-9 yard passes, which is to be expected as it is very likely that he was told to prevent the deep pass. Samuel let up a couple of short ones as well yesterday. The only gripe I remember having with Hobbs was his missed tackle on a quick pass to I THINK Santana later in the game, other than that I think he once again played a good game like usual.

Let me know what exactly you see when you watch the tape please. Thanks

 

[everlong]

He's not Samuel or Law. He's Poole or O.T.I.S. A #2 corner who plays well but will never be confused with Champ Bailey. Also this is only his 3rd season, Assante still wasn't a top corner until year 4. He's still growing as a player.