Asante Samuel was 20th ranked CB coming out of 2003 draft

[marcus]

4.51 40 TIME AT THE COMBINE, ranked 185th overall

Patriots do not need a "burner" for their CB. Should be able to get CB's who can fit in their system in 2nd round or later

CB rankings before 2003 draft


1. Terence Newman, Kansas St.
2. Marcus Trufant, Washington St.
3. Andre Woolfolk, Oklahoma
4. Sammy Davis, Texas A&M
5. Eugene Wilson, Illinois
6. Dennis Weathersby, Oregon St.
7. Rashean Mathis, Bethune-Cookman
8. Bryan Scott, Penn St.
9. Nnamdi Asomugha, California
10. Drayton Florence, Tuskegee
11. Charles Tillman, Louisiana-Lafayette
12. Shane Walton, Notre Dame
13. Ricky Manning, Jr, U.C.L.A.
14. Chris Crocker, Marshall
15. Mike Lehan, Minnesota
16. DeJuan Groce, Nebraska
17. Kevin Garrett, S.M.U.
18. Torrie Cox, Pittsburgh
19. Roderick Babers, Texas
20. Asante Samuel, Central Florida

 

[GPR11788]

Samuel was taken in the 4th round, just goes to show you BB and Piolli are good judges of skill and character. BB and the coaching staff probably had a big hand in the maturation of Samuel as one of the top corners in the league.

I was fine with them not signing Asante, he was just asking for too much money.

 

[Gunnails]

4.51 40 TIME AT THE COMBINE, ranked 185th overall

Patriots do not need a "burner" for their CB. Should be able to get CB's who can fit in their system in 2nd round or later

CB rankings before 2003 draft


1. Terence Newman, Kansas St.
2. Marcus Trufant, Washington St.
3. Andre Woolfolk, Oklahoma
4. Sammy Davis, Texas A&M
5. Eugene Wilson, Illinois
6. Dennis Weathersby, Oregon St.
7. Rashean Mathis, Bethune-Cookman
8. Bryan Scott, Penn St.
9. Nnamdi Asomugha, California
10. Drayton Florence, Tuskegee
11. Charles Tillman, Louisiana-Lafayette
12. Shane Walton, Notre Dame
13. Ricky Manning, Jr, U.C.L.A.
14. Chris Crocker, Marshall
15. Mike Lehan, Minnesota
16. DeJuan Groce, Nebraska
17. Kevin Garrett, S.M.U.
18. Torrie Cox, Pittsburgh
19. Roderick Babers, Texas
20. Asante Samuel, Central Florida

========================================

Woolfolk just sighned with the Jets, not that you guys care' just saying.

 

[Tunescribe]

========================================

Woolfolk just sighned with the Jets, not that you guys care' just saying.

Why was Woolfolk out of the league last season? What did he do before that? Just wondering.

 

[PonyExpress]

In today's game 40 times are more important for safeties than for cbs. Agility and leaping ability (as well as hands) are the most important athletic traits for a cb.

 

[Gunnails]

Why was Woolfolk out of the league last season? What did he do before that? Just wondering.

==================================

He was IRed last year (hammy I believe), and got an injury settlement.
I do not think he has done much in his career thus far. Seems he has been injured alot.

The good thing is he is 6'2" and 197#

 

[RayClay]

Great scouting. Small school and the guy had the moves of a cornerback coming out.

Of course corners need a certain amount of speed, but the difference between a few decimals is nothing compared to watching how they play

 

[ATippett56]

Great scouting. Small school and the guy had the moves of a cornerback coming out.

Of course corners need a certain amount of speed, but the difference between a few decimals is nothing compared to watching how they play

Except the New England Patriots organization had to wait four years for Asante Samuel to become elite. The New England Patriots do not have that luxury this year.

 

[JoeSixPat]

4.51 40 TIME AT THE COMBINE, ranked 185th overall

Patriots do not need a "burner" for their CB. Should be able to get CB's who can fit in their system in 2nd round or later

CB rankings before 2003 draft


1. Terence Newman, Kansas St.
2. Marcus Trufant, Washington St.
3. Andre Woolfolk, Oklahoma
4. Sammy Davis, Texas A&M
5. Eugene Wilson, Illinois
6. Dennis Weathersby, Oregon St.
7. Rashean Mathis, Bethune-Cookman
8. Bryan Scott, Penn St.
9. Nnamdi Asomugha, California
10. Drayton Florence, Tuskegee
11. Charles Tillman, Louisiana-Lafayette
12. Shane Walton, Notre Dame
13. Ricky Manning, Jr, U.C.L.A.
14. Chris Crocker, Marshall
15. Mike Lehan, Minnesota
16. DeJuan Groce, Nebraska
17. Kevin Garrett, S.M.U.
18. Torrie Cox, Pittsburgh
19. Roderick Babers, Texas
20. Asante Samuel, Central Florida

This isn't exactly a shock. Starting CBs have often been found throughout the draft.

70% of the starters at CB as of 2006 were drafted outside of the 1st round.

This Football Outsiders analysis of where starters are drafted is a great resource that helps put things in perspective, though its slightly dated now.

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/2006/04/24/ramblings/nfl-draft/3828/

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Except the New England Patriots organization had to wait four years for Asante Samuel to become elite. The New England Patriots do not have that luxury this year.

He's still not elite, just paid that way. But he could play early on, and that is all we need. That's why you look for them to sign a veteran corner who can hold the fort and ease a youngster in.


In 2005, Samuel started all 15 regular-season games in which he played and tied for the team lead with a career-high three interceptions and led the team with a career-high 18 passes defensed. He also notched a career-high 53 tackles (41 solo).

Samuel played in 13 games with eight starts in 2004 and led the team with 12 passes defensed.
Samuel started all three postseason contests for the Patriots in 2004 and finished tied for the team lead with four pass breakups.
Samuel tallied his second career touchdown with a 34- yard interception return for a score against Cincinnati (12/12/04).

Samuel was named NFL rookie of the week for his performance in the Patriots' victory over the Jets in New England's 2003 home opener. He returned his first career interception 55 yards for a touchdown to seal a 23-16 Patriots victory.
Samuel spent much of his rookie season as the Patriots' fifth defensive back, and earned his first career start in place of an injured Ty Law in the Patriots' 19-13 overtime win at Miami (10/19/03).

 

[ATippett56]

He's still not elite, just paid that way. But he could play early on, and that is all we need. That's why you look for them to sign a veteran corner who can hold the fort and ease a youngster in.

I seriously doubt Belichick will wait until the fourth round in the 2008 NFL Draft to select his first cornerback. Meanwhile in the 2003 NFL Draft, Belichick traded up in the second round to select cornerback Eugene Wilson, who was picked two rounds ahead of Asante Samuel.

http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFLDraft/Draft+Day/2003/Trades.htm

 

[MoLewisrocks]

I seriously doubt Belichick will wait until the fourth round in the 2008 NFL Draft to select his first cornerback. Meanwhile in the 2003 NFL Draft, Belichick traded up in the second round to select cornerback Eugene Wilson, who was picked two rounds ahead of Asante Samuel.

http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFLDraft/Draft+Day/2003/Trades.htm

Yup, and then he canned Lawyer Milloy and slid that kid in as a FS. Worked magically along side a secondary maestro he picked up in FA that season who took over as SS. Only Eugene started breaking things and by 2005 with Harrison on IR he was toast.

Hobbs was picked in the third round in 2005 and he had to step in and stabilize a veteran secondary that fell apart in Rodney's absence midway through his rookie season.

I think this thread was just a reminder that corners can be had outside the first round. And first round corners aren't always a slam dunk to start as rookies, or ever.

 

[PonyExpress]

He's still not elite, just paid that way. But he could play early on, and that is all we need. That's why you look for them to sign a veteran corner who can hold the fort and ease a youngster in.


In 2005, Samuel started all 15 regular-season games in which he played and tied for the team lead with a career-high three interceptions and led the team with a career-high 18 passes defensed. He also notched a career-high 53 tackles (41 solo).

Samuel played in 13 games with eight starts in 2004 and led the team with 12 passes defensed.
Samuel started all three postseason contests for the Patriots in 2004 and finished tied for the team lead with four pass breakups.
Samuel tallied his second career touchdown with a 34- yard interception return for a score against Cincinnati (12/12/04).

Samuel was named NFL rookie of the week for his performance in the Patriots' victory over the Jets in New England's 2003 home opener. He returned his first career interception 55 yards for a touchdown to seal a 23-16 Patriots victory.
Samuel spent much of his rookie season as the Patriots' fifth defensive back, and earned his first career start in place of an injured Ty Law in the Patriots' 19-13 overtime win at Miami (10/19/03).

Asante Samuel made the SI All-pro team, at nickel cb, as a rookie.

 

[ATippett56]

Yup, and then he canned Lawyer Milloy and slid that kid in as a FS. Worked magically along side a secondary maestro he picked up in FA that season who took over as SS. Only Eugene started breaking things and by 2005 with Harrison on IR he was toast.

Hobbs was picked in the third round in 2005 and he had to step in and stabilize a veteran secondary that fell apart in Rodney's absence midway through his rookie season.

I think this thread was just a reminder that corners can be had outside the first round. And first round corners aren't always a slam dunk to start as rookies, or ever.

However, the two best cornerbacks in New England Patriots history were both first rounders.

 

[ATippett56]

Hobbs was picked in the third round in 2005 and he had to step in and stabilize a veteran secondary that fell apart in Rodney's absence midway through his rookie season.

Hobbs stepped in because Tyrone Poole, Duane Starks, and Randall Gay all went down with injuries. Poole and Starks ended the season on injured reserve.

 

[Ice Cold Bruschi]

thats a pretty good cornerback class

 

[Wildo7]

perfect example of how people think good coaching only applies to schemes and plays. Developing talent is as valuable as the talent you choose in the first place.

 

[Steamer86]

However, the two best cornerbacks in New England Patriots history were both first rounders.

Who are the best two ever? Clayborn and Haynes? Was Law better than Clayborn? Ronnie Lippett?....just kidding.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

However, the two best cornerbacks in New England Patriots history were both first rounders.

Hobbs stepped in because Tyrone Poole, Duane Starks, and Randall Gay all went down with injuries. Poole and Starks ended the season on injured reserve.

And neither was drafted by BB. In fact one of them was cut because he cost too much to maintain on the cap and he wouldn't restructure.

Poole and Gay couldn't get/stay on the field because of injuries. Poole (who was once somebody else's first rounder...) started 1 game with 1 tackle in 2006 (after being IR'd in 2005) then went on IR again. Gay saw limited action as a reserve in 3 games before he too went on back on IR in 2006. Starks just sucked, even his teamates admitted it, which is why he was cut after that season, and the rookie outplayed Asante once he got on the field - which was why he started the 2006 season at LCB until he broke his wrist. Even then he moved to RBC and started there most of the next season playing with a cast. Just like he did in 2007 playing through injuries from week 8 on. Part of a players value is durability or the capacity to play at an acceptable level through injuries.

 

[primetime]

Why was Woolfolk out of the league last season? What did he do before that? Just wondering.

He was super-raw coming out of college with insane athleticism, a track guy playing football (like Rodgers-Cromartie this year, but at least Woolfolk played at Oklahoma). He just never got it. If I had to guess I'd say he's camp fodder for the Jets.