Wheatley also has smarts & Pioli on CB size...

[Seneschal2]

Just read Reiss' piece on Wheatley, and on pg 2, a comment from Pioli. Here's two excerpts:

Second-round draft choice Terrence Wheatley is bringing more than just top-end speed to the Patriots' cornerback corps. He also has top-end smarts, according to his former coach. "He's one of those guys who just gets it," said Colorado assistant Greg Brown, who spent 15 years as an assistant coach in the NFL. "He understands the defense, but at the same time, he understands the offense and how they're going to try to challenge him. He studies it and understands the stress points."

From Pioli:

...vice president of player personnel Scott Pioli pointed out yesterday that size isn't everything at the position, as shorter corners often have the skill set the team is seeking.
"Part of it is that the bigger a player gets - the taller or longer sometimes a player is - the less fluid they are in changing direction," Pioli said in an interview on Comcast's "Patriots Draft Report '08" show.

"When you're looking for a corner, they have to be reactive athletes - to see changes, know what's going on, plant their foot, and drive toward the football. The longer, taller bodies have more difficulty being reactive type athletes."

---

I hope this puts a muzzle on the numerous posters and their "midget" comments. Some of us already knew the skills necessary (and preferred) to play the CB position for the Pats. While some others here simply just don't get it, and IMO -- don't really want to. The comments regarding Wheatley's size and draft selection quite frankly disgust me. I'm on record prior to the draft as saying he was the second best cover corner after Cason (IMO). The fact that the Pats have now drafted such a talent thrills me, not to inflate my own ego, but knowing we've now upgraded the entire secondary with just one player. We have a player who will certainly upgrade the sub-packages with his smarts, speed, and ball skills. And IMO, he won't be limited in that role, but will compete for the LCB starter position.

I wish more fans who haven't seen the Pats draft picks play, would reserve their HEAVY criticisms, and defer to others who have seen them in action. Perhaps ask for some insight now, or wait until there's an opportunity to see them later. It's o.k. to criticize draft selections, but is it really fair to be over-the-top having never see them play, relying strictly on profiles from the so-called draft experts? No, it's not fair at all...and not very supportive of those who run the show.

 

[RussFrancis]

Ive gotta say, in the little Ive heard and seen from this young guy, Im extremely impressed. Incredibly quick feet and change of direction and great speed. Good ball skills. And sounds as articulate as anyone on this team. Fans are gonna absolutely LOVE this kid. Good call.

 

[WhiZa]

If you watch his video he is uses his height nicely. A lot of times hiding behind the WR then using his speed to quickly get in front for the int. We'll see how well he does against NFL WRs

 

[Metaphors]

I mentioned this in another post but it bears repeating. One major disadvantage for a short cornerback has been removed for this upcoming year. The "jump ball" pass on the sideline or corner of the end zone got a lot easier to defend with the forceout rule being eliminated. Now a shorter corner doesn't have to challenge the pass...they can just knock the receiver off balance and out of bounds after the catch.

There are still situations where it pays to be a taller corner, but most of those situations can be mitigated with speed/positioning. The jump ball was the one play where height was the only aspect in play. The rule change now gives the little guy a fair shot.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I mentioned this in another post but it bears repeating. One major disadvantage for a short cornerback has been removed for this upcoming year. The "jump ball" pass on the sideline or corner of the end zone got a lot easier to defend with the forceout rule being eliminated. Now a shorter corner doesn't have to challenge the pass...they can just knock the receiver off balance and out of bounds after the catch.

That's a pretty big "just"--knock 'em too early, and it's PI, knock 'em too late (or not hard enough), and it's still a completion.

 

[Canada's #1 Pats Fan]

That's a pretty big "just"--knock 'em too early, and it's PI, knock 'em too late (or not hard enough), and it's still a completion.

Timing will be everything. Dom C. will be addressing this I'm sure.

 

[Metaphors]

That's a pretty big "just"--knock 'em too early, and it's PI, knock 'em too late (or not hard enough), and it's still a completion.

Not a big deal if you can get there quick enough (my assumption was the cornerback was in position but not tall enough to challenge the pass). You can see when he catches the ball since you are waiting for that to happen...remember you aren't trying to dislodge the ball.

As for not hitting him hard enough, if you can't move an airborne 220 lb receiver a couple of feet you should find another profession. You don't have to jack him up or de-cleat him, just put both arms into his hip and push.

You can still use a tall WR to exploit a smaller corner. I was just trying to show that the most common complaint against small corners (the jump ball pass) is now harder to pull off successfully.

 

[VJCPatriot]

You can still use a tall WR to exploit a smaller corner. I was just trying to show that the most common complaint against small corners (the jump ball pass) is now harder to pull off successfully.

IF they are near an out of bounds area. There are plenty of ways to exploit them in the middle of the field, where the pushout rule won't save the shorter DB. In which case you need safety help over the top. But assuming that your zone is working correctly, the safety should be there on plays in the middle of the field, in theory. But we've seen that NOT happen plenty of times, and at quite inconvenient times too.

 

[Metaphors]

IF they are near an out of bounds area. There are plenty of ways to exploit them in the middle of the field, where the pushout rule won't save the shorter DB.

But nobody would every throw a jump ball down the middle...

of...

the...

d%#*!@t!

 

[Deus Irae]

I wish more fans who haven't seen the Pats draft picks play, would reserve their HEAVY criticisms, and defer to others who have seen them in action. Perhaps ask for some insight now, or wait until there's an opportunity to see them later. It's o.k. to criticize draft selections, but is it really fair to be over-the-top having never see them play, relying strictly on profiles from the so-called draft experts? No, it's not fair at all...and not very supportive of those who run the show.

I'm an ardent supporter of Hobbs, and I'd love it if the new guy pans out to Hobbs' level (or better, of course). But it's pretty clear that those who don't like short cornerbacks can give some legitimate arguments, at least in some areas of the game.

And, no matter what Pioli says (and he may have a generally solid point), the best cornerbacks have tended to be tall, as opposed to being 5'9":

Sanders
Bailey
Haynes
Blount
Willie Brown
Adderly
Lane

This team could really use a 6 foot plus cornerback, even if that player's only good enough for nickle/dime work and defending against the end zone lob.

 

[flasox27]

Keep in mind that most of the CB's you mentioned were from the bump and run era where size and physical play was more important than now.