Terrence Wheatley = Deion Branch...

[patsox23]

Smaller-than-conventional-wisdom's version of "ideal," fast, smart, history of fragility (currently assumed to be truly "history"), drafted at least one round "too early," looked above-and-beyond during early camp.

We'll see if he can keep up the comparison, come T.C. Hope so.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

Smaller-than-conventional-wisdom's version ideal, fast, smart, history of fragility (currently assumed to be truly "history"), drafted at least one round "too early," looked above-and-beyond during early camp.

We'll see if he can keep up the comparison, come T.C. Hope so.

if he were more like deion sanders that would be nice too

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

or he could be chris canty. we'll find out soon enough

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Smaller-than-conventional-wisdom's version ideal, fast, smart, history of fragility (currently assumed to be truly "history"), drafted at least one round "too early," looked above-and-beyond during early camp.

We'll see if he can keep up the comparison, come T.C. Hope so.

Why would you compare a rookie to anyone until he at least has some work in full pads? - I am sure there are alot of Deion Branch type guys drafted in this years draft who you could say the same - Time will tell,Maybe too early for this thread.

 

[patsox23]

I should have made it more clear that I was posing a question. At that I failed miserably. I intended to suggest that, at this time in BOTH of their careers, the reports were similar. Obviously we have no idea what Wheatley will ACTUALLY become.

 

[spacecrime]

Why would you compare a rookie to anyone until he at least has some work in full pads? - I am sure there are alot of Deion Branch type guys drafted in this years draft who you could say the same - Time will tell,Maybe too early for this thread.

I think his points were valid. None of his points of comparison were pads/performance things. They were attributes and (not ideal position measurables, smart, fast) and being drafted earlier than conventional wisdom. None of those things will change with pads. Wheatle's performance may or may not be up to par, but draft-wise, his case is very similar to Branch's.

Who were all these other guys you said were also smart, fast, history of injury, not ideal position measurables, and drafted earlier than conventional wisdom you are talking about? Just curiousl.

 

[spacecrime]

I should have made it more clear that I was posing a question. At that I failed miserably. I intended to suggest that, at this time in BOTH of their careers, the reports were similar. Obviously we have no idea what Wheatley will ACTUALLY become.

I read your post exactly as you wrote it and understood you perfectly.

 

[Pats726]

or he could be chris canty. we'll find out soon enough

Don't knock Chris Canty..he's still playing in the AFL2....

 

[RayClay]

I think Wheatley fell (or didn't rate as high) because of his wrist injury problems. Wheatley is not as small at CB as Branch was at WR.

 

[patsox23]

I think Wheatley fell (or didn't rate as high) because of his wrist injury problems. Wheatley is not as small at CB as Branch was at WR.

LOL, okay, I get that, but could we pick MORE nits with this thread??? It was meant to be a jumping off point for ACTUAL discussion, not something quite as mind-numbingly literal as some of you have taken it.

Thanks, spacecrime, for deciphering my apparently enigmatic post.

 

[tombonneau]

LOL, okay, I get that, but could we pick MORE nits with this thread??? It was meant to be a jumping off point for ACTUAL discussion, not something quite as mind-numbingly literal as some of you have taken it.

Thanks, spacecrime, for deciphering my apparently enigmatic post.

Nothing enigmatic about your post; it was actually quite pellucid.

I agree that so far the similarities are there with Branch & Wheatley. I have a good feeling about TW. Mind you, it's based on absolutely nothing, but a good feeling nonetheless ...

 

[pats1]

Or Brock Williams.

(That was a blast from the past)

 

[Pats726]

I understand the post...and teh comparison to a drafted Branch...and how his ability was a lot greater than what thought. I HOPE that is true of Wheatley....and that he is a solid player for the Pats as was Deion. But that is about where I would end it...Does anyone want to see Wheatley get a large head like Deion and go for the green above all else?? No...I think that is clear...

 

[RayClay]

LOL, okay, I get that, but could we pick MORE nits with this thread??? It was meant to be a jumping off point for ACTUAL discussion, not something quite as mind-numbingly literal as some of you have taken it.

Thanks, spacecrime, for deciphering my apparently enigmatic post.

Not trying to pick nits. People love making comparisons. Sometimes they're awful and i say so (usually a running back that has a completely different style).

Yours isn't bad, it just isn't great (IMO) for the reasons I mentioned. However, I'd be happy as hell if he was as good a fit at corner as Branch was at WR.

Plus I seriously wonder how high he would have been picked without injuries.

 

[signbabybrady]

I have a good feeling about TW. Mind you, it's based on absolutely nothing, but a good feeling nonetheless ...

I too have a good feeling about this kid but I wouldn't say it is based off nothing.

there are three things that have me really excited about him.

1) his speed, he is certainly a fast dude though I bet most Rookie corners compare pretty favorable.

2) this one is my favorite. His toughness has already prooved to be NFL caliber playing with a shattered titanium rod in his arm for the remainder of a season.

3) this actually has nothing to do with him but the track record of BB and Pioli speaks for itself when it comes to rookie CBs and corners in general (Asante, Hobbs, Gay, really the only awful move was Starks, everything else was either successful or trivial)

 

[VJCPatriot]

Well he was a very late 2nd round pick. So he's almost a 3rd rounder. If he can energize the return game and win the nickel spot through his play, he will have been worth the pick. Yeah he's shorter than ideal... but the Pats seem to like their smurfs.

 

[Mr.Muhozi]

i saw the deion part, i was estatic, i saw the branch part, i was back to reality

 

[PatsFan24]

i think he might have been a steal, i hope so at least

 

[patchick]

I think it is an intriguing comparison because of the specific "measurables" we're talking about. While several in this thread have referred to Wheatley's less-than-ideal measurables, I think what's really meant is less-than-ideal size. His athletic measurables (e.g. speed, quickness, leaping ability) are outstanding. And where we say "fast" about both Wheatley and Branch, we're not talking primarily about straightline speed, where both measure very good but not great. Both players were #1 at their positions in the combine 3-cone drill.

 

[FarScapeR]

2 things:
Wheatley breaking a titanium rod in his wrist is impressive enough by itself. Playing with said broken titanium rod for the rest of the season is even more impressive. Now, it doesn't mean it's a sure bet that he's going to be an ironman in our secondary, but it's a good sign.

Speaking of 3-cone drill times, Mike Richardson's numbers were ridiculous. And he's 5'11".

Oh, and speaking of Deion Branch,

“He’s got that explosive burst in him that you just can’t teach,” DeFranco said. “I’ve worked with [Seattle Seahawks wide receiver] Deion Branch when I was at another facility, and even though Deion is a wide receiver, both he and Mike show similar kinds of speed bursts and the ability to come out of a cut. He’s just got some God-given skills that neither I nor anyone else can take credit for.