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This might be the most talented Patriots team we have ever fielded. This is hands down the deepest and potentially most physically gifted set of DB's we have ever had. Bryant is an excellent corner and will thrive here. Wheatley will play a lot instantly and has more talent and smarts than any corner we have ever had. If it translates to the field you will be dazzled by him. Not only does he have 4.3 speed but his quickness is jaw dropping. He has the best transition from back pedal I have seen in years. He has an inate awareness of where the receiver is and an ability to keep his position on the receiver. Unless he is picked few receivers can get away from him. Hobbs played hurt all year and should have a breakout year. Wilhite can also be good since his transition from a back pedal is flawless. Speed is WORTHLESS to a CB that cannot transition from the back pedal. Good WRs eat corners alive than cannot transition.
Meriweather will play everywhere because he can and that is just so unusual. The safety rotation of Meriweather, Sanders, and Rodney along with several free agents will be very diverse and fexible enough to play any offense. Slater might eventually move into this mix in a year or so because at 6-0 he can carry 210 pounds without losing speed and that should be his natural position. Think 6-0, 210+, 4.4 speed, big hitter, super smart, and wants it. It is up to him to do it but he is driven. UCLA coaches were idiots. he has more skills than anyone they had at DB. Quite pathetic.
Mayo will be a superstar and has instantly become a favorite of Bill. he might rival Vrabel, Thomas, Seau, and Bruischi in LB football smarts and that is saying a lot. He is a true 3-down 3-4 inside linebacker and they are incredibly hard to find. The highest rated LB for our system ever. Seau will be back for another year if healthy. With Bruischi, Seau, Hobson, Woods, and Mayo we are set at ILB. I would not be surprised to see a constant rotation of the four inside until Mayo certainly takes over by mid-season if not in training camp. keep an eye on Hobson. he might be the biggest surprise pickup and a really good kid. There are several free-agent LBs that could make the team.
Crable will get a lot of reps outside as a rotation sub for Thomas and Vrabel. He is a little raw but will be coached up instantly because he is smart. Crable is a bigtime playmaker off the edge and much quicker than I thought. Watch for Thomas this year. Thomas is going to have a monster year. Seau could get some time outside also. It is a great set of smart ILBs and OLBs for our 3-4.
Film does not do O'Connell justice. He is raw for lack of coaching but lord does he have a big-time gun and is extremely coachable. A few coaching tips and his accuracy improved instantly.
Slater should instantly become the kick and punt return guy and a bigtime favorite on special teams.
I am so sick of hearing these pundits trash Seymour. Few if any NFL players would have even played last year with what Richard went through. He is a true man amongst boys when healthy and Seymour will be a monster this year. He is healthy, has been in the off-season program, and the happiest I have ever seen him. Seymour will again be the best defensive player on the field and the best defensive lineman in the NFL.
A healthy Sammy Morris makes the offense better than last year if possible. Morris and Maroney were a great compliment to each other early on. The loss of Morris was really felt in some late season games and in particular the SB. Morris' running style was better suited for the Giant defense is all I will say. The offense had much better balance before Sammy was hurt.
I expect we will be very competitive this year.
http://boards.espn.go.com/boards/mb/mb?sport=nfl&id=nwe&tid=2809612&lid=6
Two posts in one day. The guy is practically living on the ESPN message board.
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