CB Strategy - TSAAWASWS!

[ayjackson]

Throw **** at a wall and see what sticks?

Here's what we have per Reiss today:

Fernando Bryant (5-11, 184) -- Veteran is expected to sign a one-year free-agent deal, and will look to turn back the clock to his days with Dom Capers with the Jaguars (1999-2000), when he was a highly touted first-round pick.


Ellis Hobbs (5-9, 195) -- Returning starter who will look to work his way back following offseason surgery (hernia, groin).


Brandon Meriweather (5-11, 200) -- First-round pick in 2007 has position flexibility to line up at safety and corner.


Tim Mixon (5-9, 184) -- Practice squad player in 2007 will look to emerge.


Mike Richardson (5-11, 190) -- Sixth-round draft choice out of Notre Dame in 2007 spent last year on injured reserve.


Lewis Sanders (6-1, 210) -- Veteran signed a one-year deal as a free agent and is the tallest of the current crop.


Antwain Spann (6-0, 195) -- Mostly a special teams presence.


Jason Webster (5-9, 187) -- Veteran signed a one-year deal as a free agent and hopes to turn back the clock to his 49er days (2000-2003), when he worked his way into a top free agent.

So how does the FA strategy mesh with the drafting strategy? Do we find more **** in the late second or third round to throw at the wall? Or do we find a way to select one of the best six in the first 40 picks or so?

I can see one of the top six CBs in the draft being able to come in and start, while the FA's battle it out for nickle and dime spots. If we pick one with 62 or 69, they might not be one of the top five corners on our roster - then what do we do with them. Is there any point in drafting a Charles Godfrey or Chevis Jackson or Patrick Lee? Would they beat out Bryant, Webster, Sanders or Richardson for a roster spot?

 

[WhiZa]

The interesting part is all 3 CBs were signed to 1 year deals. It became habit a few years ago to sign some no namers to 2 year deals (ie gaffney) because if they do well you have them for at least 2 years and if they suck you can cut them at little cost. By signing all 1 year deals tells me they will be drafting 1 or 2 CBs this year who they will look to grow into the position. I don't expect the pick to be #7 tho. If there are no trades then it will be the second rounder and a 2nd day pick I'm guessing.

 

[DocE]

I think all the CB signings could mean that the Patriots might look at Rodgers-Cromartie in a trade down situation. Having veteran CB's like Bryant and Webster, would allow Rodgers-Cromartie to learn for a year without the pressure to get on the field.

On the other hand, it could mean that the Patriots might wait until the 3rd or 4th round to take a CB to develop behind the veterans.

Bryant and Webster are better signings than many give them credit for being. Both players have been starters every year of their career and both received big free agent deals a few years ago.

I don't think a Hobbs/Bryant or a Hobbs/Webster tandem at CB is ideal by any means, but these guys are solid NFL players.

 

[My2Cents]

I think they go with the following:

1. CB Mike Jenkins, USF
Arguably the top DB available. Best combination of ball skills + footwork.

2. OLB/DE Marcus Howard, UGA
Under the radar. 10 sacks last season. Top speed in draft class.

 

[JoeSixPat]

The interesting part is all 3 CBs were signed to 1 year deals. It became habit a few years ago to sign some no namers to 2 year deals (ie gaffney) because if they do well you have them for at least 2 years and if they suck you can cut them at little cost. By signing all 1 year deals tells me they will be drafting 1 or 2 CBs this year who they will look to grow into the position. I don't expect the pick to be #7 tho. If there are no trades then it will be the second rounder and a 2nd day pick I'm guessing.

A 1 year deal could well be at the request of the player or agent - and could well be the type of tradeoff that gets a quality middle class player in the fold.

Having a 2 year deal with no risk to the organization is something that's to the team's advantage, not the player - especially if that player has a very good year.

So I don't read too much into the team's 1st round draft strategy into this.

While the Throw Crap at the Wall theory might be disparaged, if you get enough middle class players in here you WILL find some diamonds in the rough. This worked well for the Patriots in past Super Bowl season, especially in the secondary, when we saw average players who fit well in our scheme more than hold the fort in the face of injuries.

Just like with Asante leaving there were some who thought we'd never be able compete without Ty Law. They were wrong.

The Patriots secondary scheme really isn't designed to need a major playmaker - average players, playing in position and in the scheme, DO find themselves in position to make plays, but the hotshot gambler CBs won't like it here.

We DO have a D scheme that likes playmakers at DE and LB - and there are certainly some guys who fit that criteria who should be available to us.

 

[DaBruinz]

I think they go with the following:

1. CB Mike Jenkins, USF
Arguably the top DB available. Best combination of ball skills + footwork.

2. OLB/DE Marcus Howard, UGA
Under the radar. 10 sacks last season. Top speed in draft class.

Jenkins is NOT arguably the top DB available. He's behind McKelvin, Talib, and DRC. And arguably, Cason.

As for Howard, He's 6'1. That's SMALL for an OLB in the Pats system. I don't see it happening. Considering that Howard couldn't finish the drills at the combine because he tweaked a hamstring, his Pro-Day is going to be big as teams look to see what he can do in the Shuttle and 3-cone.

 

[cstjohn17]

Jenkins is NOT arguably the top DB available. He's behind McKelvin, Talib, and DRC. And arguably, Cason.

I will argue Jenkins is among the top DBs, my proof will be that he is the first or second CB drafted (the NFL GMs will do my bidding for me)

 

[NePatriots]

I think Godfrey from Iowa will be the best of all of them. His CB/S experience will be a big plus for Belichick -- plus he and Ferentz have connections. He gave up ZERO TD's last year.

 

[cstjohn17]

I think Godfrey from Iowa will be the best of all of them. His CB/S experience will be a big plus for Belichick -- plus he and Ferentz have connections. He gave up ZERO TD's last year.

Hobbs gave up way more, therefore Hobbs must be better.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Bryant and Webster are eternally injured and Sanders is JAG.

Unless BB can pry Nnamdi away from Oakland, then it is safe to say that the Pats will be drafting a CB or two, even with Merriweather moving to CB.

I believe that with his combination of above average ball skills, experience, and instincts, Cason is the best fit for our defense. Even though he does not have the required quick twitch that BB desires in a CB.

 

[captain stone]

Interesting article from Ourlads about the wisdom of drafting CBs within the first 2 rounds.

http://www.ourlads.com/dayone.cfm

IF the Pats are not able to trade down from #7, and
IF they do not select a CB at #7, then
they should seriously consider selecting the Best CB Available at #62.

Another interesting - but not exactly unknown - point in the article:
There are a lot of UDFAs in the NFL.

Our FO needs to be much more aggressive in signing these players post-draft than it has been in recent years. The cost in signing bonuses is practically negligible. The risk is low, and the potential reward is high.

 

[VJCPatriot]

http://www.ourlads.com/dayone.cfm

And the big SHOCKER - #1 source of linebackers is UDFA at 20% The #2 source of linebackers is round 3. It's starting to make sense why BB just doesn't seem to draft em early. It's going to take a RARE specimen, for BB to spend the 1st rounder on LB, looking at those statistics.

If the Pats trade down. They'll probably go for a CB or a DE/OLB pass rushing hybrid. I don't think they draft an MLB in the 1st round so Rivers and Connors won't be in the picture imo. Goff in round 3 could be a possibility though.

 

[captain stone]

Goff in Three?

Works for me.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

If Cason and/or any other real quality CB is off the board by the time we pick in the second, then I am all for taking Goff.

 

[dryheat44]

I think some of us are selling these new FAs short. Our defense doesn't require Deion Sanders and Darrell Green back there. Just smart guys, who understand what the offense is trying to do, and take pride in doing their jobs. Really, look who we've thrown out there at corner/nickel the last five years or so. You have Ty Law and Asante Samuel, who are Pro-Bowlers (although let's see what Asante does in Philly). Then:

Ellis Hobbs
Randy Gay
Hank Poteat
Earthwind Moreland
Troy Brown
Duane Starks
Ray Mickens
Chad Scott


Starks was truly horrible, but the other guys have been able to function competently in our system. Could they be upgraded? Of course, and they were eventually. But the point is that other teams are going to value cornerbacks higher than BB will. We don't need athletic freaks or guys who can cover man-on for eight seconds. Just smart guys who know their job.

I'll be shocked if a rookie comes in and starts for us barring a health epidemic.