Kirwan: Mayo/Hobson and Wheatley/Webster make top battles list

[Lloyd_Christmas]

NFL.com has a piece looking at top Rookie matchups vs veterans for starting positions and they list Wheatley vs Jason Webster. This makes no sense to me. Why Webster? Wouldn't they match him up vs Bryant?

Is Webster a higher contender than Bryant? I think Pat Kirwin ought to lay off the liquor.

Also in their article was the matchup of Mayo vs Hobson... which at least made sense.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?template=with-video&id=09000d5d808a41e3

 

[DaBruinz]

Re: Kirwin: Mayo/Hobson and Wheatley/Webster make top battles list

NFL.com has a piece looking at top Rookie matchups vs veterans for starting positions and they list Wheatley vs Jason Webster. This makes no sense to me. Why Webster? Wouldn't they match him up vs Bryant?

Is Webster a higher contender than Bryant? I think Pat Kirwin ought to lay off the liquor.

Also in their article was the matchup of Mayo vs Hobson... which at least made sense.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?template=with-video&id=09000d5d808a41e3

Actually, Lloyd, if you think about it, Kirwin is saying that Webster has less of a shot of making the team than Bryant does. Bryant has been a starter under Capers before and excelled there. So, him saying a battle between Webster and Wheatley makes sense, honestly.

 

[miDeuce]

Re: Kirwin: Mayo/Hobson and Wheatley/Webster make top battles list

I guess if he's considering it a battle for the starter at nickelback it makes sense. Hobbs/Bryant will be an interesting battle too. I tend to believe Hobbs sticks on his usual RCB and Bryant takes over the LCB for Samuel.

Does anyone else agree that Wheatley is already an upgrade over Gay?

 

[Jackson 2]

Re: Kirwin: Mayo/Hobson and Wheatley/Webster make top battles list

NFL.com has a piece looking at top Rookie matchups vs veterans for starting positions and they list Wheatley vs Jason Webster. This makes no sense to me. Why Webster? Wouldn't they match him up vs Bryant?

Is Webster a higher contender than Bryant? I think Pat Kirwin ought to lay off the liquor.

Also in their article was the matchup of Mayo vs Hobson... which at least made sense.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?template=with-video&id=09000d5d808a41e3

Whether you agree or disagree with Kirwin in this piece, take this to the bank: no national media person has been fairer to BB and the Pats during this whole ****storm than Pat Kirwin, in particular, and NFL radio on Sirius, in general. In fact, Kirwin's response to callers berating the Patriots for their video practices has been his matter-of-fact admission that when he was working in the league (for the Jets, no less) he did exactly what Walsh and Estrella did. Kirwin and Tim Ryan on "Moving the Chains" at 3:00 p.m. daily on Sirius NFL Radio is as good as it gets.

 

[Kontradiction]

Re: Kirwin: Mayo/Hobson and Wheatley/Webster make top battles list

Does anyone else agree that Wheatley is already an upgrade over Gay?

Nope, Wheatley is merely and unknown quality at this point while Gay was on a distinguished road. Hobbs can only hope to improve.

 

[Lloyd_Christmas]

Re: Kirwin: Mayo/Hobson and Wheatley/Webster make top battles list

I guess if he's considering it a battle for the starter at nickelback it makes sense. Hobbs/Bryant will be an interesting battle too. I tend to believe Hobbs sticks on his usual RCB and Bryant takes over the LCB for Samuel.

Does anyone else agree that Wheatley is already an upgrade over Gay?

I does make a lot more sense if you consider it a battle for the starting position at nickelback. I just have never considered that an actual STARTING position... which is what the article was supposed to be about.

 

[PatsFan37]

Re: Kirwin: Mayo/Hobson and Wheatley/Webster make top battles list

Nope, Wheatley is merely and unknown quality at this point while Gay was on a distinguished road. Hobbs can only hope to improve.

Whatever road Gay was on, he was at least a length behind the other drivers. I have distinct memories of him running behind slot receivers.

Wheatley may be unproven in the NFL, but his speed and quickness is far better and he has the potential to be a superior CB. If he was in competition with Gay this year, my nickel would be on Wheatley taking his job before mid-season.

 

[RayClay]

Re: Kirwin: Mayo/Hobson and Wheatley/Webster make top battles list

NFL.com has a piece looking at top Rookie matchups vs veterans for starting positions and they list Wheatley vs Jason Webster. This makes no sense to me. Why Webster? Wouldn't they match him up vs Bryant?

Is Webster a higher contender than Bryant? I think Pat Kirwin ought to lay off the liquor.

Also in their article was the matchup of Mayo vs Hobson... which at least made sense.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?template=with-video&id=09000d5d808a41e3

Bryant's starting. why would a low 3rd round pick supplant a career starter?

 

[Kontradiction]

Re: Kirwin: Mayo/Hobson and Wheatley/Webster make top battles list

Whatever road Gay was on, he was at least a length behind the other drivers. I have distinct memories of him running behind slot receivers.

Wheatley may be unproven in the NFL, but his speed and quickness is far better and he has the potential to be a superior CB. If he was in competition with Gay this year, my nickel would be on Wheatley taking his job before mid-season.

You apparently don't understand how this forum's ranking system works.

 

[JackBauer]

Re: Kirwin: Mayo/Hobson and Wheatley/Webster make top battles list

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Hobson going for SILB, while Mayo is going for WILB? I always assumed both Hobson and Mayo would likely be the opening day starters.

 

[rusH1023]

Re: Kirwin: Mayo/Hobson and Wheatley/Webster make top battles list

NFL.com has a piece looking at top Rookie matchups vs veterans for starting positions and they list Wheatley vs Jason Webster. This makes no sense to me. Why Webster? Wouldn't they match him up vs Bryant?

Is Webster a higher contender than Bryant? I think Pat Kirwin ought to lay off the liquor.

Also in their article was the matchup of Mayo vs Hobson... which at least made sense.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?template=with-video&id=09000d5d808a41e3

Out of curiosity, what makes you think Webster WOULD be a higher contender than Bryant? Everything I've heard/read would indicate the opposite.

 

[WhiZa]

Re: Kirwin: Mayo/Hobson and Wheatley/Webster make top battles list

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Hobson going for SILB, while Mayo is going for WILB? I always assumed both Hobson and Mayo would likely be the opening day starters.

I doubt Hobson would start over Bruschi. That's why it is Hobson vs Mayo. Both players are relearning LB on the Pats so it shouldn't matter if they are taught WILB or SILB opposite Bru.


On a side note:
http://www.nfl.com/news/story;jsess...0d5d8089f84a&template=with-video&confirm=true

Why is Lamont Jordan not part of the RB battle in Oakland?

 

[JackBauer]

Re: Kirwin: Mayo/Hobson and Wheatley/Webster make top battles list

I doubt Hobson would start over Bruschi. That's why it is Hobson vs Mayo. Both players are relearning LB on the Pats so it shouldn't matter if they are taught WILB or SILB opposite Bru.


On a side note:
http://www.nfl.com/news/story;jsess...0d5d8089f84a&template=with-video&confirm=true

Why is Lamont Jordan not part of the RB battle in Oakland?

I dunno. I can easily see Hobson starting over Bruschi.

 

[WhiZa]

Re: Kirwin: Mayo/Hobson and Wheatley/Webster make top battles list

I dunno. I can easily see Hobson starting over Bruschi.

I would love for Hobson to step up enough to start over Bru too. Though Bruschi is a fan favorite and team capitan. It really would be a slap in the face to him not to start baring any setbacks.

 

[bradmahn]

Re: Kirwin: Mayo/Hobson and Wheatley/Webster make top battles list

Bryant's starting. why would a low 3rd round pick supplant a career starter?

I don't know who you're talking about as a "low 3rd round pick" and if you're referring to Bryant as the "career starter" that means very little as to who will start for the Patriots this season.

I think it's a completely open competition at cornerback this camp. Hobbs is included in that. I fully expect him to be a starter, but I think he could take over the LCB spot or stay at right depending on how camp goes.

I also think the starters at inside linebacker are far from set and Bruschi isn't guaranteed a thing in terms of starting. Ideally I'd prefer Mayo and Hobson step up and win the jobs because they are both prototypical players at WILB and SILB, respectively, with regards to size and speed. Bruschi could then spell either one as the backup.

 

[Lloyd_Christmas]

Re: Kirwin: Mayo/Hobson and Wheatley/Webster make top battles list

Out of curiosity, what makes you think Webster WOULD be a higher contender than Bryant? Everything I've heard/read would indicate the opposite.

The article itself is about rookie vs Vets for starting positions and it lists Wheatley Vs Webster, rather than Wheatley vs Bryant... as I would have expected.

Either the writer forgot about Bryant or E.Hobbs, or he is talking about some kind of quasi-starting position like nickel back or something.

I'm definitely not saying that Webster is better than Bryant. I suggested the article has made it seem they think that way.

 

[signbabybrady]

At the BB dinner the other day BB was taking about some of the offseason moves (not just secondary) and the first name that came out of his mouth was Webster....he ran thru a few other guys Saunders, Aiken, Tank and actually added Bryant in as an after thought.

I know it probably means nothing but thought it was interesting and relavant to the conversation.

 

[Dragda]

Re: Kirwin: Mayo/Hobson and Wheatley/Webster make top battles list

Does anyone else agree that Wheatley is already an upgrade over Gay?

I haven't seen him play, but I have a feeling you're right on.

 

[Ring 6]

Re: Kirwin: Mayo/Hobson and Wheatley/Webster make top battles list

Whatever road Gay was on, he was at least a length behind the other drivers. I have distinct memories of him running behind slot receivers.

Wheatley may be unproven in the NFL, but his speed and quickness is far better and he has the potential to be a superior CB. If he was in competition with Gay this year, my nickel would be on Wheatley taking his job before mid-season.

I dont know what Gay was distinguishing himself as. To me I was done distinguishing between Gay and anyone I would want playing corner for the Pats.
In fairness, Gay would not have been a terrible option as a starting corner (meaning the guy who starts if a lot of other corners get hurt) but as a nickel corner he was just horrendous.
Whoever it is that turns out to be the nickel this year out of the 2 draft choices, Sanders, Webster or whoever, I am 100% confident we will have upgrade the nickel corner spot.
Again, if pressed into starting Gay may be better than some of those guys, but as a nickel we probably have at least 3 better choices today.
Its just a matter of skillset. Gay's strengths were knowing where to play, understanding the coverage, being a deent tackler. But to ask him to use his speed/quickness to cover any WR one on one is something he just cant do.
To use a basketball analogy he would be an OK defender in a zone, but in man coverage his guy would run him into the ground by changing direction and cutting to the back door.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Re: Kirwin: Mayo/Hobson and Wheatley/Webster make top battles list

I doubt Hobson would start over Bruschi. That's why it is Hobson vs Mayo. Both players are relearning LB on the Pats so it shouldn't matter if they are taught WILB or SILB opposite Bru.


On a side note:
http://www.nfl.com/news/story;jsess...0d5d8089f84a&template=with-video&confirm=true

Why is Lamont Jordan not part of the RB battle in Oakland?

2 HUGE Reaons

1. DMAC
2. 60M contract is not paid for a backup player!

I wonder if Jordan will get cut, then the Pats could scoop him as a backup?

Mayo will win a starting job early imo. Hobbs will be the #2 corner and Probably Bryant the #1 CB. Wheatley has a chance to play nickel IF he can pick up the system fast enough.