Seneschal2
In the Starting Line-Up
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- Mar 14, 2006
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Just read Reiss' piece on Wheatley, and on pg 2, a comment from Pioli. Here's two excerpts:
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.
From Pioli: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."
---...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.