Your thoughts on Patriots cornerback strategy in the draft...

SteveGrogan said:

Wilfork won't be a plug.

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Maybe. I think with Brown, Branch and Seal on the inside they'll be ok.

AzorianPats said:

They did. He was in an island with no help vs #1's. Fletcher is not a Revis or Haden, but he's a good number 2. In think the Pats are gonna try Butler at #1. They are high on him, and quite frankly they should be. He changed the game when the Pats brought him in during the SB, and not that Jermaine Kearse is a special WR or anything, but he is a 6'4+ guy and Butler was all over him. He has great cover skills.

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I forget where I had read it but midway through TC last year BB told someone that he thought Butler was going to be very, very good. Here's hoping!

AzorianPats said:

This secondary won't be better than last years, but hopefully with a more aggressive front 7 it won't have to be.

Everyone clamoring for them to draft a CB just like they were to draft an RB and WR, but truth is the FO might be more then content with what they have in house.

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I agree. I think after the first 2-3 CBs went in the 1st round BB didn't see that much of a difference with what was left to what he already had. That tells you what he thinks of Butler,Fletch and possibly Dennard.

With the defensive front 7 solidified and the S position above average, the CB's might be the "weakest" area... but what we have might be sufficient until a better option comes along... "weakest" is a relative term.

I like how the D is being rebuilt, and Patricia has a variety of mix and match options.. not sure of any other team has as many solid options/choices on Defense as the Pats do...

I think it is just Bill changing with the times. it is near impossible to find a cover CB. Regis is elite, Browner was a mauler that drew way to many penalties. So where can you be aggressive and intimidate the offense while playing defense; in the front 7. That is what Bill decided to concentrate on, setting the tone of the game defensively by being aggressive and fast in the front 7 IMHO.....

robertweathers said:

I forget where I had read it but midway through TC last year BB told someone that he thought Butler was going to be very, very good. Here's hoping!



I agree. I think after the first 2-3 CBs went in the 1st round BB didn't see that much of a difference with what was left to what he already had. That tells you what he thinks of Butler,Fletch and possibly Dennard.

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Rodney Harrison admitted that this off season. BB told him the team really likes Butler. Revis praised Butler before the season last year and said Butler has the potential to be special.

AzorianPats said:

Rodney Harrison admitted that this off season. BB told him the team really likes Butler. Revis praised Butler before the season last year and said Butler has the potential to be special.

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Right- it was Rodney.

Now with Dennard gone..they should have went cb fairly early in the draft

Belichick will come up with new things, including new positions, forget about cornerback and safety, he will come with new positions like wide interceptor and something else, at least for one season, until Harbaugh cry in the media again and NFL change the rules prohibiting BB's new positions.

All signs point towards a pressure front 7 so our DBs don't get exposed. Especially now with our best cover corner (Dennard) in the roster being released.

I'm looking forward to camp and see what BB has in mind for our front 7.

condon84 said:

All signs point towards a pressure front 7 so our DBs don't get exposed. Especially now with our best cover corner (Dennard) in the roster being released.

I'm looking forward to camp and see what BB has in mind for our front 7.

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That's going to need to happen. Especially if "Toast" Fletcher sees any playing time. But I've said multiple times since the release of Dennard that I expect a trade for a veteran CB. If it doesn't happen before TC, it will happen by midseason.

The Gr8est said:

With his measurables and skills it is really surprising he didn't go sooner.

He really needs to be coached up on his tackling technique though.

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It just so happens that our 2nd round pick has perfect tackling technique and a knack for teaching others

KontradictioN said:

That's going to need to happen. Especially if "Toast" Fletcher sees any playing time. But I've said multiple times since the release of Dennard that I expect a trade for a veteran CB. If it doesn't happen before TC, it will happen by midseason.

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A trade is a definite possibility. Although the likelihood scenario of McCourty moving to CB is more likely IMO. I saw your post about McCourty getting exposed in a trail position, but I'll argue that if our front is bringing pressure, McCourty will more likely be playing downhill rather than chasing.

No Dennard. Isn't that the Cat's Pajama's? We are down to one serviceable CB.

The mystery deepens...what on Earth are the Patriots brain trust thinking? Certainly not that Ryan will improve. Nope. Must be something else. I would have given the rook and the FA cornerbacks a longer look-see before releasing Dennard.

FredFromDartmouth said:

No Dennard. Isn't that the Cat's Pajama's? We are down to one serviceable CB.

The mystery deepens...what on Earth are the Patriots brain trust thinking? Certainly not that Ryan will improve. Nope. Must be something else. I would have given the rook and the FA cornerbacks a longer look-see before releasing Dennard.

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Yes, the mystery deepens. The mystery is why posters think that Belichick is releasing his #2 corner. The mystery is how posters can post such nonsense.

The reality is that posters had zero clue about Dennard except for his first season, before injuries. In aany case, how can posters believe that they KNOW so much better than Belichick. Poster KNOW that Dennard was our 2nd best corner.

FredFromDartmouth said:

No Dennard. Isn't that the Cat's Pajama's? We are down to one serviceable CB.

The mystery deepens...what on Earth are the Patriots brain trust thinking? Certainly not that Ryan will improve. Nope. Must be something else. I would have given the rook and the FA cornerbacks a longer look-see before releasing Dennard.

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Please God, just stop.

FredFromDartmouth said:

No Dennard. Isn't that the Cat's Pajama's? We are down to one serviceable CB.

The mystery deepens...what on Earth are the Patriots brain trust thinking? Certainly not that Ryan will improve. Nope. Must be something else. I would have given the rook and the FA cornerbacks a longer look-see before releasing Dennard.

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I wouldn't be too concerned about losing Dennard, he really gave us nothing last year. I do agree that the CB position is our weakest position now and fortunately we have the best coach in the league who has the best defensive mind and he'll come up with some new defensive scheme and game plan to help our secondary out. (keeping my fingers crossed lol) I think it's safe to say that we'll be playing less man to man next year and hopefully we'll be able to get a great pass rush!!!!

robertweathers said:

Maybe. I think with Brown, Branch and Seal on the inside they'll be ok.

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I do too, just a little worse against the run - but better against the pass rush.

robertweathers said:

OK but in your post you said undervalued.

They had Law @ $10m a year. Poole was a key FA signing in 2003 and was paid very well. Asante was yes, a 4th rounder but had a good rookie year. You had, of course Rodney (who received a raise in the 04 off-season) and in 03 BB burned a 2nd rounder on Geno Wilson who was your CF'er.

My point was that he invested heavily in the secondary. Injuries happen. Thats all.

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Well, once again, with the 2nd rounder on Geno Wilson, yet the use of a UFDA on Gay, you kind of make my and Belichick's point.

Yes injuries happen, but for all the $$ invested in the secondary nearly all of it was to Law (who had a $6 million salary but larger cap hit)

Ty Poole did bring expectations - but he really wasn't paid a ton with a $1 million salary and a $2 million cap hit.

Basically that year they put all of their monetary chickens in one basket with Ty Law (just as some wish they did with Revis) and it backfired with the injury - but thanks to the "investment" into lesser known players and UDFA rookies (not to mention a WR at CB), they still won the Super Bowl

ashley1992 said:

I wouldn't be too concerned about losing Dennard, he really gave us nothing last year. I do agree that the CB position is our weakest position now and fortunately we have the best coach in the league who has the best defensive mind and he'll come up with some new defensive scheme and game plan to help our secondary out. (keeping my fingers crossed lol) I think it's safe to say that we'll be playing less man to man next year and hopefully we'll be able to get a great pass rush!!!!

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Agreed - last year was a bit of an aberration, mainly because Belichick had a chance to get Revis on the cheap and he's a smart enough coach to know how to utilize him well (Browner doesn't get enough credit around here either as far as I'm concerned - no one noticed but he did his job well on Butler's miracle play)

When Revis' salary/cap hit meets or exceeds Brady's Belichick can't address other needs and depth. Unless Revis was going to accept below market money, as we knew the Jets would always outbid the Patriots, he wasn't coming back - and that was a long shot from the start.

So I expect we'll see (actually I think we pretty much know) Belichick return to a zone D that might not lead the league in limiting yards, but hopefully will lead the league in limiting points.

JoeSixPat said:

Well, once again, with the 2nd rounder on Geno Wilson, yet the use of a UFDA on Gay, you kind of make my and Belichick's point.

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Not really. Signing a UFA does not make your argument of claiming BB undervalued the secondary in the SB years of 03-04.

JoeSixPat said:

Yes injuries happen, but for all the $$ invested in the secondary nearly all of it was to Law (who had a $6 million salary but larger cap hit)

Ty Poole did bring expectations - but he really wasn't paid a ton with a $1 million salary and a $2 million cap hit.

Basically that year they put all of their monetary chickens in one basket with Ty Law (just as some wish they did with Revis) and it backfired with the injury - but thanks to the "investment" into lesser known players and UDFA rookies (not to mention a WR at CB), they still won the Super Bowl

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You are kinda moving the goal posts a little.

You initially said that BB undervalued the secondary. If you are changing your position that fine but the history doesn't support your claim.

The circumstances are that he paid Law handsomely, gave Ty Poole a $1.8m signing bonus in 2003 and carried a $1.9m cap hit in 04 which was a big deal back then. Paid Harrison a bonus in 04 for good work. Spent a 2nd on Geno and a 4th on Asante in 03. BB also burned another 3rd on Scott and a 4th on Reid in 04.

That's a lot of salary and a lot of picks.