ESPN Insider: Scout information anyone?

[SavioKid]

Does anyone have ESPN Insider access? If so can u post the scouting needs of the PATS of course. Thxs

 

[sebman2112]

Does anyone have ESPN Insider access? If so can u post the scouting needs of the PATS of course. Thxs

Are you talking about AFC East Team Needs?

New England Patriots
Linebacker -- The Patriots' linebacking corps is by far the oldest in the league. Experience is great, but three of the top five linebackers are clearly aging and have lost a step. Mike Vrabel, Tedy Bruschi and the 40-year-old Junior Seau have had outstanding careers but adding fresh legs to the defense will likely be addressed. And of the nine linebackers currently on the roster three are free agents. There are some solid football players on the roster who give the Patriots depth at the position but none who would be able to replace Vrabel, Bruschi or Seau.

Cornerback -- Asante Samuel is a free agent who can't be franchised, so unless he is willing to take less money than the market will dictate to stay with the Patriots, coach Bill Belichick will need to find a replacement. There are two other free agent corners on the New England roster (Randall Gay and Chad Scott) and this position will definitely need attention. Ellis Hobbs is a good football player, but his lack of height hinders his ability to cover the bigger receivers in the league. The Patriots' front office will likely be aggressive when addressing this position.

Safety -- Next season will be Rodney Harrison's 15th in the NFL and two other safeties on the roster are set to become free agents. There are some solid football players on the roster, but no big bangers who can set the tone if Harrison isn't on the field. The middle of any defense is extremely important and with the status of several players still up in the air it's likely there will be a new face or two acquired before the start of the 2008 season.

Offensive line -- New England's starters are one of the better groups in the league, but the depth behind them is questionable. There is a noticeable drop off when one or more offensive linemen are out due to injury. Fresh faces are needed at guard and center to bolster the line and another athlete at the tackle position would also help. After addressing some defensive concerns there will not be much for the Patriots to worry about, but the offensive line was clearly banged up by the time the Super Bowl arrived and that area will have to get some help.

Running back -- Laurence Maroney was nicked up this season and third-down back Kevin Faulk is aging, so bringing in a back to help share the load would make some sense for New England.

For the remainder of the article (Bills, Jets, and Dolphins team needs), you'll have to pay:

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/insider/news/story?id=3240410


Incidently, some of the more knowledgeable Patriots fans could give you a more precise list of team needs. For example, NE could bring in another RB, especially to develop behind Faulk (it's a good RB class too), but they (Scouts Inc) seemed to entirely forget about Sammy Morris.

 

[BPF]

For what it's worth here is my take on our top needs this offseason.

1.) Cornerback - Asante is a FA and we all know he can not be franchised so unless the Pats are willing to give him a $80+ million Nate Clement's type deal (which is really backloaded and full of fake $$ but Asante probably doesn't see that) he is more than likely gone. Hobbs is better off as a 3rd CB so we might need two quality CB's to step in and play.
2.) Linebacker - Bruschi and Seau could both be retiring. Meanwhile all of our starting linebackers are at least 30 yrs old and there is really no quality depth unless Woods and Alexander step up BIG time.
3.) Safety - Rodney is aging and not the playmaker he was in 2003/2004. We need a veteran with a physical presence.
4.) Offensive Tackle - Light is solid at LT while Kaczur is a marginal starter and was exposed at times this past season. Is O'Callaghan nothing more than a backup?? Would probably be better off at G.

 

[NE_PATS_FAN_54]

scouts, inc just flat out did not do their homework on this one. he mentions safety as an area of need. i guess they forgot about james sanders and brandon merriweather. who is the second free agent safety they are talking about??? like the previous poster, they completly forgot about sammy morris. and about linebacks, since when do the patriots need to replace mike vrabel? he's the best lineback they have and comparing him to seau and bruschi in terms of declining is simply ridiculous.

and how do they not bring up the offensive line in this discussion?? its certainly an area of greater need than safety or running back.

 

[NE_PATS_FAN_54]

For what it's worth here is my take on our top needs this offseason.

1.) Cornerback - Asante is a FA and we all know he can not be franchised so unless the Pats are willing to give him a $80+ million Nate Clement's type deal (which is really backloaded and full of fake $$ but Asante probably doesn't see that) he is more than likely gone. Hobbs is better off as a 3rd CB so we might need two quality CB's to step in and play.
2.) Linebacker - Bruschi and Seau could both be retiring. Meanwhile all of our starting linebackers are at least 30 yrs old and there is really no quality depth unless Woods and Alexander step up BIG time.
3.) Safety - Rodney is aging and not the playmaker he was in 2003/2004. We need a veteran with a physical presence.
4.) Offensive Tackle - Light is solid at LT while Kaczur is a marginal starter and was exposed at times this past season. Is O'Callaghan nothing more than a backup?? Would probably be better off at G.

hobbs is a very good #2 CB. he's better than you give him credit for. i think that he could concievably become a #1. so if asante leaves, yes they most definatly need to sign another CB of substance and/or re-sign randall gay. i dont think safety is a need, rodney is exactly what we need. he is that physical, veteran presence.merriweather should be stepping up and progressing to fill in for harrison in the next year or two.
the only one area of need that needs to be addressed this offseason is linebacker. they need to get youth and speed at that position. simple as that. the rest depends on who stays and who goes from last year's roster. if moss/ stallworth/washington/some combination of the three leave, then wr will need to be addressed. if asante/ gay/combination of the two leave, then thats an area of need. i think regardless of bruschi/seau retiring, LB is a need no matter what happens. if one/both of them leave, then the need is greater. offensive line is an area where they could address, but most likely wont make a huge splash because of the cost of offensive linemen in free agency and based on the fact that the pickings are slim. they will probably grab another tackle in the draft. the guard/center position is pretty well set. light was iffy towards the end and kaczur wasn't overly impressive towards the end. and no, o'callaghan would not be better at guard. if he were, he'd already be there.

 

[BPF]

hobbs is a very good #2 CB. he's better than you give him credit for. i think that he could concievably become a #1. so if asante leaves, yes they most definatly need to sign another CB of substance and/or re-sign randall gay. i dont think safety is a need, rodney is exactly what we need. he is that physical, veteran presence.merriweather should be stepping up and progressing to fill in for harrison in the next year or two.
the only one area of need that needs to be addressed this offseason is linebacker. they need to get youth and speed at that position. simple as that. the rest depends on who stays and who goes from last year's roster. if moss/ stallworth/washington/some combination of the three leave, then wr will need to be addressed. if asante/ gay/combination of the two leave, then thats an area of need. i think regardless of bruschi/seau retiring, LB is a need no matter what happens. if one/both of them leave, then the need is greater. offensive line is an area where they could address, but most likely wont make a huge splash because of the cost of offensive linemen in free agency and based on the fact that the pickings are slim. they will probably grab another tackle in the draft. the guard/center position is pretty well set. light was iffy towards the end and kaczur wasn't overly impressive towards the end. and no, o'callaghan would not be better at guard. if he were, he'd already be there.

You seem to have all the answers, maybe BB and SP should give you a call.

 

[skinnydog]

I can't see Hobbs as a #1 corner unless he suddenly grows a few inches. I agree withthose who think he is better suited for a nickel back. Safety is OK for now with Harrison coming back.

 

[Scouse Patriot]

Jordan Gross would be be a big improvement for us at RT, pity he'd cost too much.

 

[NE_PATS_FAN_54]

I can't see Hobbs as a #1 corner unless he suddenly grows a few inches. I agree withthose who think he is better suited for a nickel back. Safety is OK for now with Harrison coming back.

hobbs is only an inch shorter than asante. fyi.

 

[BPF]

hobbs is only an inch shorter than asante. fyi.

They play a totally different game. Asante is a much better man-to-man cover player while Hobbs does a nice job in zone schemes but loses his man in coverage. Hobbs lacks top end speed and although he is a fierce competitor his lack of size will always hurt him. As a 3rd CB he can be more involved in ST, where he is very strong and a top player.

 

[BPF]

They play a totally different game. Asante is a much better man-to-man cover player while Hobbs does a nice job in zone schemes but loses his man in coverage. Hobbs lacks top end speed and although he is a fierce competitor his lack of size will always hurt him. As a 3rd CB he can be more involved in ST, where he is very strong and a top player.

I'd also like to add that Asante has much better ball skills because he reads the play quicker and plays with a quicker burst. He is quicker than Hoobs in a football sense although Hoobs might be faster straight line. Hobbs seems to get out-maneuvered for the ball and doesn't make many picks ala Asante, Law and O T I S. How many times have we seen Hobbs in perfect position only to have the WR make the catch?? He is a good player but the position could be greatly improved.

 

[kas]

They play a totally different game. Asante is a much better man-to-man cover player while Hobbs does a nice job in zone schemes but loses his man in coverage. Hobbs lacks top end speed and although he is a fierce competitor his lack of size will always hurt him. As a 3rd CB he can be more involved in ST, where he is very strong and a top player.

Don't mean to be an ass, but this is flat out wrong. Asante is an excellent zone corner who excels at breaking on the ball. He is very quick but lacks pure deep speed. Hobbs, on the other hand, is not as instinctive as AS. He has the speed and hips to be a #1, but lacks size. IMO he's gotten way too much flack this season. Samuel usually has safety help over the top, allowing him to come down on the ball aggressively. With the coverage rotating away, Hobbs has had deep responsibility and has done a pretty good job of not getting beat deep. Remember also he's usually matched up against the opposition's fastest WR. He did a great job on Burress in the SB, despite getting beat for the final TD.

Hobbs reminds me a lot of Antoine Winfield. Small, but very athletic and physical. Great cover guy, but only average ball skills/instincts. I don't know if he'll ever be a game breaker, but he's definitely a starting caliber player on any team in the league.

I'm actually very interested to see how/if our defensive coverages change next year with AS gone.

 

[NE_PATS_FAN_54]

Jordan Gross would be be a big improvement for us at RT, pity he'd cost too much.

and he might get franchise tagged. and he'll cost in the range of 7 years/50+ million.

 

[363839]

I would love to see the Pats use their 7th pick to get
a monster inside linebacker.
I don't know who that would be, though.

 

[BPF]

Don't mean to be an ass, but this is flat out wrong. Asante is an excellent zone corner who excels at breaking on the ball. He is very quick but lacks pure deep speed. Hobbs, on the other hand, is not as instinctive as AS. He has the speed and hips to be a #1, but lacks size. IMO he's gotten way too much flack this season. Samuel usually has safety help over the top, allowing him to come down on the ball aggressively. With the coverage rotating away, Hobbs has had deep responsibility and has done a pretty good job of not getting beat deep. Remember also he's usually matched up against the opposition's fastest WR. He did a great job on Burress in the SB, despite getting beat for the final TD.

Hobbs reminds me a lot of Antoine Winfield. Small, but very athletic and physical. Great cover guy, but only average ball skills/instincts. I don't know if he'll ever be a game breaker, but he's definitely a starting caliber player on any team in the league.

I'm actually very interested to see how/if our defensive coverages change next year with AS gone.

Hobbs is nowhere near the player Winfield is, at best a poor man's version. Winfield is one of the best run support CB's in the NFL and next to Sanders probably the toughest player pound for pound. Winfield is very physical and physically plays closer to the line and doesn't give up the 10-yd cushion Hobbs does. Winfield has outstanding football instincts and is a much more complete player than Hobbs.

No insticts means no chance to be a #1 CB, especially coupled with a lack of size. And he did a great job on Burress because he was hurt.

 

[kas]

Hobbs is nowhere near the player Winfield is, at best a poor man's version. Winfield is one of the best run support CB's in the NFL and next to Sanders probably the toughest player pound for pound. Winfield is very physical and physically plays closer to the line and doesn't give up the 10-yd cushion Hobbs does. Winfield has outstanding football instincts and is a much more complete player than Hobbs.

No insticts means no chance to be a #1 CB, especially coupled with a lack of size. And he did a great job on Burress because he was hurt.

Fair enough, but I think the comparison is still valid. And as frustrating as that underneath throw is, I think it's given up by design. Hobbs is usually matched up against the opponent's deep threat. He has deep responsibility. I think the plan by the coaching staff is to make the "finesse" WR catch the ball short and then get smacked in the mouth.

And how can you belittle Hobbs' play against Burress, Plaxico absolutely blew up Green Bay's corners (both Harris and Woodson are established #1 corners IMO) in the NFC championship game, and then had 2 weeks to rest up? He may not have been 100%, but he was as healthy as he'd been all year.

I'm not saying Hobbs is an elite shut down corner - he is too limited for that. But IMO, the thought that he isn't a starting caliber corner is crazy IMO. In all likelihood, he'll be our "#1" corner next year, and although he won't be a shutdown guy, he'll do an above average job against the oppositions top threats. After all, he did a pretty good job of it this year.

One thing I think he both can agree on, however, is that more than size (which he somewhat makes up for with his ups and aggressiveness), are his lack of ball skills. He really doesn't get his hands on a lot of passes. Asante was and never will be an elite shutdown guy, but he can make game-changing plays. Hopefully Hobbs can develop his ball skills and take the next step in his development.

 

[Metaphors]

I would love to see the Pats use their 7th pick to get
a monster inside linebacker.
I don't know who that would be, though.

Sorry Charlie. Have to wait until 2009. Which is why I think the Pats try to trade back and get another 2009 #1 pick.

 

[sebman2112]

Hobbs is nowhere near the player Winfield is, at best a poor man's version. Winfield is one of the best run support CB's in the NFL and next to Sanders probably the toughest player pound for pound. Winfield is very physical and physically plays closer to the line and doesn't give up the 10-yd cushion Hobbs does. Winfield has outstanding football instincts and is a much more complete player than Hobbs.

No insticts means no chance to be a #1 CB, especially coupled with a lack of size. And he did a great job on Burress because he was hurt.

As I told a few other fans who complained about Hobbs distance from the LOS, it's scheme based! They've employed a soft zone that plays into Asante's strengths, not Hobbs. Also, both Asante and Hobbs will play that far off the LOS, as that distance is chosen by the coaches. If you'd like to complain about said distance go ahead, but in reality you're complaining about a coaching decision.

Also, Hobbs is better in man, while Asante is a better zone CB. Hobbs is also faster, more athletic, and out jumps him by a large margin, but I'm sure you'll keep on believing otherwise.

I'm actually very interested to see how/if our defensive coverages change next year with AS gone.

I've actually had similar questions/thoughts and might post a thread on the subject in the future.

 

[jbb9s]

OL banged up? What are they talking about? Koppen was helped off the field for a few series midseason. I remember Mankins came out for a play or two to tie his shoe. Light played every game. Kazcur sat at the end of the season as a precaution. Neal started the SB but Hochstein had filled in for him so flawlessly that he was featured in the cheeseball darts competition during the pregame to the Balt. game.

When is the last time the Pats had a 5 opening day starters on the field for week 19?

 

[Crazyeechrispats1]

Agree that Hobbs is a better man to man cover corner than Assante, if Assante has those stone hands he portrayed as a rookie, to quote Philip Rivers he'd be the sorriest corner in the league.
Put him in a system with a average to terrible front 7 and watch how he goes from a stud to new england system cb.
I'm sorry but that's my opinion when he dropped that pick in the superbowl all bets were off with me, he is not worth the money.
Trade for disgruntled Deangelo Hall and let him train against the best in the game, Moss and Brady.
He is as young as a rookie and would be less money then a 7th overall pick and a proven commodity.
I think in this lockeroom it could work and being we have one of our guys over there it could happen.
Cornerback is not a weak spot for the Falcons and it could allow them to pick up their franchise QB along with their franchise RB.
I would personally make that trade.