Which current player has something to prove this year to Patriot Nation?

[PATRIOT64]

I can think of a few guys in 2008 that will be closely looked at by the FO and fans in alike as to whether they will be as advertized or maybe a lost effort on the team.

While Adalius Thomas was pretty decent in his first year I would be lying if I didn't say that I expected more pressure at the QB and double digit sacks especially considering he was top dog in FA,I hope he has a better season in year 2,I expect it or would consider it a dissapointment considering he was about as highly ranked at the top of FA in 2007 as you could have.

With that said,Who do you think is player most under the gun in Patriot Nation that is currently on the roster?

 

[drew4008]

Ellis Hobbs, if he moves to left (#1) CB. Also Laurence Maroney.

 

[dhamz]

At least on this board, no player has produced less and enjoys more popularity than Chad Jackson. He might be in the top 5 most popular players on the team on patsfans.com.

This year is his put up or shut up year or better stated put up or get cut year.

 

[PATRIOT64]

Ellis Hobbs, if he moves to left (#1) CB. Also Laurence Maroney.

The poll is up now....

 

[PATRIOT64]

I think Gostkowski maybe even more under the gun than Jackson right now.

Anyone can see that Belichick obviously does NOT trust Steven in decent long FG situations of 40+ and rarily has him kick a long one under crucial times of the game,Brady is more likely to be on the field on a 4th and 10 at the 35 than Gostkowski is,Vinatieri was a no brainer back then in that kind of situation but BB obviously has a bit lack of trust there so don't be surprised if the team drafts a kicker with some leg in middle rounds to give Gostkowski a run for his money on the roster.

While Gostkowski has been pretty good at 20-35 yard field goals the last 2 years,I don't think there is a Patriot fan alive that is not clenching thier teeth and having thier blood pressure rise when an important game is at hand and its a possible 38 yard or more FG attempt late in a close game.

 

[dhamz]

Brady is more likely to be on the field on a 4th and 10 at the 35 than Gostkowski is,Vinatieri was a no brainer back then in that kind of situation

Won't debate BB's confidence in Gostkowski in those spots but to be fair BB had zero confidnece in Vinateri in those situations in 2005. Just go back and look at the first quarter of the Jacksonville playoff game if you need evidence.

 

[PATRIOT64]

Won't debate BB's confidence in Gostkowski in those spots but to be fair BB had zero confidnece in Vinateri in those situations in 2005. Just go back and look at the first quarter of the Jacksonville playoff game if you need evidence.

Thats true,but in Vinatieri's glory years it was an easy decision to kick the FG because at times Adam proved he could kick it right thru the uprights almost blindfolded if need be/

I think most Patriot fans,Including myself could see that Vinatieri had his best days gone by in the 2005 season where he was a bit more erratic than previous years and was another reason why I did not take losing him to the Colts as hard as some did.

 

[Wotan_the_Wanderer]

When considered from a needs based perspective, I had to go with David Thomas over Chad Jackson. We still have great WRs in front of CJ whereas we're currently really thin at the TE spot given the questions concerning how quickly Watson will recover from his ankle injury.

 

[PATRIOT64]

When considered from a needs based perspective, I had to go with David Thomas over Chad Jackson. We still have great WRs in front of CJ whereas we're currently really thin at the TE spot given the questions concerning how quickly Watson will recover from his ankle injury.

I am giving David Thomas another year as he missed his whole sophomore season to an injury in preseason - You can't put a guy under the gun when he had no control over an accident resulting in a broken foot,However if he gets injured and on IR again this year then definately hes heading closer to the bust hall of fame.

As far as Watson goes, I don't particularly know if he is exactly gone from being a bust,He looked promising early but needs to bring it back shortly,He has not really been any kind of factor the past 2 years,Heck even Reche Caldwell was better with a pathetic WR corps in 2006.

 

[DarrylS]

Gotta go with Chad Jackson, he is in his third year.. would find it difficult if he did not perform this year. Difficult to have a 2nd rounder as a bust..

 

[Kdo5]

How good do you expect Evans to be? He is a very good blocker and thats what he is best at. He hardly needs to improve any further to be satisfied with him doing his job well.

CJ better do something this year.

 

[richpats]

Ellis Hobbs, if he moves to left (#1) CB.

I pray for our defense this year. Is it me or does Ellis Hobbs always seem to be on the butt-end of a lot of soul-crushing plays?

 

[JoePats]

Considering the drafted round and overall production the answer is probably Chad Jackson but I voted for Ellis Hobbs, as his production level is FAR more important to the success of the 2008 Patriots than Chad Jackson's.

 

[BradyManny]

I pray for our defense this year. Is it me or does Ellis Hobbs always seem to be on the butt-end of a lot of soul-crushing plays?

Ellis Hobbs didn't decide to cover Plaxico Burress on that play, the coaching staff did. Again, Hobbs drew plenty of tough assignments given teams respected Asante and knew he wasn't going to switch sides. The coaching staff obviously had the confidence in Hobbs to keep him in these situations, even the biggest play of the season, the all out blitz that crushed our dreams of perfection. The coaching staff believed Hobbs - despite two injuries - was the better option than moving Asante over. This tells you something, as does the fact that by most accounts, they have similar numbers and success rates for passes thrown their way.

 

[PatsDeb]

How about Matt Light after that atrocious performance in the Superbowl? I can never figure out if Light is really good, or whether the Pats cover up for him a lot with tight ends. Don't get me wrong, he seems like a great guy and Brady obviously loves him, but some times he just looks terrible out there. On the other hand, how could the Pats go 18-0 with a bad left tackle? Why does he completely lose it once in a while?

While I understand Chad Jackson has to show something or be cut, I've already written him off as a bust. I don't expect him to show me anything, so if he does I will be (pleasantly) shocked.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I think Gostkowski maybe even more under the gun than Jackson right now.

Anyone can see that Belichick obviously does NOT trust Steven in decent long FG situations of 40+ and rarily has him kick a long one under crucial times of the game,Brady is more likely to be on the field on a 4th and 10 at the 35 than Gostkowski is

I am virtually certain that Belichick sees kicking a FG as a missed opportunity at a TD. Moreover, statistical analyses have shown that basically, at any point between the 20s, a team will generally come out ahead in the long run by going for it on fourth down instead of kicking/punting.

In any case, the Pats will not draft a kicker in the mid-rounds (punter maybe, but not kicker); they already have a backup K in Welker.

 

[richpats]

I am virtually certain that Belichick sees kicking a FG as a missed opportunity at a TD. Moreover, statistical analyses have shown that basically, at any point between the 20s, a team will generally come out ahead in the long run by going for it on fourth down instead of kicking/punting.

Except when they lose the SB by 3 points....

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

#1. Perennial injury list superstar Chad Jackson needs to prove two things, that he is not too fragile for the NFL and that he has NFL football ability, not just a physique and combine stats. Color me skeptical yet hopefull. Fortunately, other than a possible waste of a high pick, we're not desperate at this position in 2008.

#2. The Gost needs to win BB's confidence via consistency under pressure. It was clear in the debacle of the game-that-shall-never-be-mentioned that for whatever reason BB was not confident in FG success. Again I'm hopefull.

 

[Jimke]

Richard Seymour would be my choice. Is he still worth the big bucks

he is receiving? Will he be a pain in the neck next year when he begins

the last year of his contract? He will expect to receive Dwight Freeney

money when he re-signs.

 

[PATRIOT64]

Richard Seymour would be my choice. Is he still worth the big bucks

he is receiving? Will he be a pain in the neck next year when he begins

the last year of his contract? He will expect to receive Dwight Freeney

money when he re-signs.

Theres no way I resign Seymour for big bucks going by his injury and lackluster production the past few seasons.

If he is going to be here in 2010 he needs some of that excellent early DE play he was so well known for as a young player.