Wilhite signs

[pats1]

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2008/07/jonathan_wilhit_2.html

Jonathan Wilhite signs
Posted by Mike Reiss, Globe Staff
July 17, 2008 05:14 PM

The Patriots announced the signing of fourth-round draft choice Jonathan Wilhite today.

Wilhite, a cornerback out of Auburn, was selected 129th overall. He is the third of the team's seven choices to sign a contract, joining fifth-rounder Matthew Slater (receiver/safety/returner) and sixth-rounder Bo Ruud (linebacker).

 

[Raffy15]

good news when one of your higher picks is signed

 

[Kontradiction]

Good stuff. Now hopefully they can get Mayo signed so he won't have to miss the start of Training Camp.

 

[Raffy15]

Good stuff. Now hopefully they can get Mayo signed so he won't have to miss the start of Training Camp.

i'm sure he won't miss a whole lot of camp.

 

[bradydaman29]

They have been saying that Mayo is a smart guy. Now we will see how smart he is. If he doesn't get signed by training camp, he's not that bright.

 

[Patslifer]

They have been saying that Mayo is a smart guy. Now we will see how smart he is. If he doesn't get signed by training camp, he's not that bright.

He would be about as smart as you...

 

[Raffy15]

They have been saying that Mayo is a smart guy. Now we will see how smart he is. If he doesn't get signed by training camp, he's not that bright.

exactly what i was going to say. everyone says how hard it is to play LB in belichick's system too.

 

[RayClay]

So...anybody have any info on Wilhite? Stats are nice, but I find cornerbacks usually look like they do or don't have "it".

The way they stride, how smooth they are. Any auburn or SEC fans?

BTW, from a little film, I think Wheatley has "it" in spades.

 

[tombonneau]

They have been saying that Mayo is a smart guy. Now we will see how smart he is. If he doesn't get signed by training camp, he's not that bright.

Who are we to say he is dumb for not signing before training camp? There is a difference between a few days and missing most of camp. If it takes him a few days to get the deal he wants, I don't see anything wrong with that. We have no idea what goes on behind the scenes, how contracts are initially presented, if he's lowballed, etc.

Obviously a protracted holdout that extends well into camp is bad, but again, I don't think it would be indicative of a lack of intelligence.

 

[Pats726]

This year I think that if 1 or 2 miss the first few days..it will be LESS of a big deal...with teh 80 limit some have said that having a few draft picks miss a few days will give others a chance to be on the field....OTHER years with the NFLE exemptions etc..teams have had 6-7 more bodies in camp. believe it or not..with PUPers etc..80 is a low number.

 

[pats1]

So...anybody have any info on Wilhite? Stats are nice, but I find cornerbacks usually look like they do or don't have "it".

The way they stride, how smooth they are. Any auburn or SEC fans?

BTW, from a little film, I think Wheatley has "it" in spades.

I know an Auburn fan; he said Wilhite is pretty average.

 

[NePatriots]

So...anybody have any info on Wilhite? Stats are nice, but I find cornerbacks usually look like they do or don't have "it".

The way they stride, how smooth they are. Any auburn or SEC fans?

BTW, from a little film, I think Wheatley has "it" in spades.

Well, I have only seen a game or two, but when Auburn had him play tight m2m coverage he didn't do all that well. You could see skills there though, I think he will do better where he can play in a zone.

 

[patsox23]

Wilhite is, I hope, one of those Belichick picks that make no sense to anyone, but works out well because he "sees something." As of now, from all I've read and the little I've seen, it's a "bad" pick. Glad he's in the fold, though. Now we get to see how good (or not) the kid really is.

 

[bradmahn]

As a strong tackler and with that speed he should be a good special teams player. Even if he does show nickelback potential, he's probably a year away from any sort of playing time.

 

[BelichickFan]

As of now, from all I've read and the little I've seen, it's a "bad" pick.

I don't think there is such thing as a "bad pick" at the end of the 4th round. If he's a bust you'll be able to list 6 guys we could have taken but for those 6 I will be able to list 60+ busts. After the first half of the 4th round my expectations drop and I don't consider any pick a bad pick, just a longshot that didn't work out.

 

[patsox23]

I don't think there is such thing as a "bad pick" at the end of the 4th round. If he's a bust you'll be able to list 6 guys we could have taken but for those 6 I will be able to list 60+ busts. After the first half of the 4th round my expectations drop and I don't consider any pick a bad pick, just a longshot that didn't work out.

I put "bad" in "quotes" for a "reason."

 

[WhiZa]

Wilhite is, I hope, one of those Belichick picks that make no sense to anyone, but works out well because he "sees something." As of now, from all I've read and the little I've seen, it's a "bad" pick. Glad he's in the fold, though. Now we get to see how good (or not) the kid really is.

Your right. It's a classic BB pick. He was overshadowed by David Irons and Patrick Lee during his college career, but he has good measurables so the potential is there at a low risk draft slot.

 

[RayClay]

Your right. It's a classic BB pick. He was overshadowed by David Irons and Patrick Lee during his college career, but he has good measurables so the potential is there at a low risk draft slot.

Of course a fourth rounder is a crap shoot. Asante was small school, Gay (fa) was injured and who knows why they selected this kid.

I probably have more faith in their judgment of cornerbacks than any other position though. They seem to know what they're looking for and it's not necessarily what other teams want, don't forget.

I liked Richardson in brief action last year. Like i say, I do make snap judgments on cornerbacks (and no other position) based on how they move and that doesnt take into account the other 90% of what makes up a football player.

 

[RayClay]

I know an Auburn fan; he said Wilhite is pretty average.

Getting an average (NFL) cornerback with a 4 would be pretty good.

 

[mdhprime]

It is good to see that the Patriots are well on their way to signing their draft picks. This next week is when a lot of the higher round picks tend to get signed and getting the 6th, 5th, and 4th rounders done already bodes well for the rest of them.