The Battle for the #2 CB Job

@jeffphowe: Malcolm Butler has gotten the veteran treatment. Off the field after one series with Chandler Jones, Ninkovich, Collins, McCourty, Chung.

It's clear that Butler has seized the #1 CB spot since the start of camp. Less than four weeks until the opener, who do you think wins the #2 spot?

Ryan is a major liability in man but sadly from what I saw at camp it seems like he still has the inside track at the spot based on 1st team reps.

Roberts athleticism allows him to get away with more than the other CBs. Brown is hurt but looked good in limited time at camp. Fletcher hasn't done much at all to get off the second team.

I think it'll be Brown, with Ryan as the nickel because BB clearly loves the guy. I liked what I saw out of McClain last night. Anyone know how Fletcher did?

Based on what I saw, I hope it's not Ryan or Fletcher. I think all opposing offenses need to do is have the receiver Ryan is covering execute a double move off the LOS and run either a 9 route or a skinny post and they'll have a big play. He flat out sucks in man coverage which is what Belichick primarily likes to run later in the season and into the playoffs when 3rd down stops come at a premium. I really wish they would just move him to safety as he can keep his head turned toward the ball more often and I think he would supremely benefit from being able to do that. Fletcher still looks like trash too. I don't think Philly was some sort of anomaly. I have high hopes for Roberts but he still has a ways to go before I would feel anywhere near comfortable with him as the CB2. My best guess as of right now would be Brown but, even then, I still have no basis for that guess.

I think veteran experience gives Fletcher the inside track but Roberts will be a regular part of the mix and will be the starter either by the end of the season or next season. Ryan is in the same boat as Boyce imo, a couple more nights like last night and off he goes.

Fletcher was just ok IMO. Made some tackles. Seemed ok in coverage. I didn't see any Jimmy Jean/Logan Ryan moments. McClain was ok.

I'd like to see Brown out there but maybe they are going easy with the foot.

I thought Roberts was ok. Thrown into the fire vs the Rodgers/Nelson combo but hey, gotta see what he can do and I thought he survived- which is ok with me.

I'm down on Ryan. I hated that free release. Hes too cushy in coverage. Always had been because hes not twitchy like Malcolm. Didn't even try to tickle him for chrissakes and let him run right by. Awful.

Malcolm seems like the real deal.

brandon browner would have been nice

TommyBrady12 said:

brandon browner would have been nice

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He got carted off the field last night.

KontradictioN said:

He got carted off the field last night.

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i heard he'll be fine.

Pretty sure it is Brown's job to lose.

Elijah said:

I think it'll be Brown, with Ryan as the nickel because BB clearly loves the guy. I liked what I saw out of McClain last night. Anyone know how Fletcher did?

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I thought Fletcher played well last night. His tackling was solid and wasn't out of position.

From the 3 camp practices I attended I thought it was easily Ryan as CB2 but watching him get burnt last night was ugly.
On the other hand I thought McClain looked good last night. And Roberts was out there early and looked good too. Apparently he got dinged up but I didn't see it. Kept thinking it was crazy he was getting started treatment.

Still undecided on Brown and Fletcher. They seem good but neither good or bad they haven't stood out to me yet.

Fletcher made at least one really nice hit. McClain looks quick and
should get even better when he gets the process down better..
I like both of their toughness..

Maybe I missed some plays but I thought Fletcher actually didn't look to bad last night.

signbabybrady said:

From the 3 camp practices I attended I thought it was easily Ryan as CB2 but watching him get burnt last night was ugly.
On the other hand I thought McClain looked good last night. And Roberts was out there early and looked good too. Apparently he got dinged up but I didn't see it. Kept thinking it was crazy he was getting started treatment.

Still undecided on Brown and Fletcher. They seem good but neither good or bad they haven't stood out to me yet.

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Logan Ryan is the Tiger Woods for the Pats.

He shoots a 66 in a practice round and is a god on the driving range but when the bullets fly hes wilts.

I think it will be Brown. Ryan and McClain should be the slot corners although I would like to see Ryan at safety. I think they will keep Fletcher and Roberts in the mix too.

The writers saw Revis depart and then started to predict doom and damnation. They can't get off the merry go round even though it doesn't fit.

This secondary may not have a big star but the overall talent and size is better then any in memory since Spike Haynes, Ray Claiborne, Tim Fox and company were patrolling the old Boston Patriots secondary. My concern is all on Offense and it showed yesterday. The Offense Brady and Gronk aside, is very ordinary. It is time to spend a few drafts on Offensive players.


BTW the rookie Guards look like they will be good additions, eventually. Their blocking on Gray's run was beautiful. Tre walled off and Shaq pulled and got around on his target. Wunderbar! Giving up 7-8 sacks was not so good.

I believe Belichick knew that the QBs would be pumelled with that raw line, so he put Brady in for a small time to calibrate whether and how much was the line, or POLO's fault. Then he had Polo waiting and throwing long on slow developing plays to ensure the problem occurred. BB is no dummy, and like Cassell before him he was purposely testing Polo's POISE. I thought Polo accquited himself well.

I think it will be Butler & Brown starting outside, with McClain in the slot. Ryan will be the all-purpose backup who can provide depth for all the CB positions, and Roberts will be kept as the young project.

AzPatsFan said:

The writers saw Revis depart and then started to predict doom and damnation. They can't get off the merry go round even though it doesn't fit.

This secondary may not have a big star but the overall talent and size is better then any in memory since Spike Haynes, Ray Claiborne, Tim Fox and company were patrolling the old Boston Patriots secondary. My concern is all on Offense and it showed yesterday. The Offense Brady and Gronk aside, is very ordinary. It is time to spend a few drafts on Offensive players.


BTW the rookie Guards look like they will be good additions, eventually. Their blocking on Gray's run was beautiful. Tre walled off and Shaq pulled and got around on his target. Wunderbar! Giving up 7-8 sacks was not so good.

I believe Belichick knew that the QBs would be pumelled with that raw line, so he put Brady in for a small time to calibrate whether and how much was the line, or POLO's fault. Then he had Polo waiting and throwing long on slow developing plays to ensure the problem occurred. BB is no dummy, and like Cassell before him he was purposely testing Polo's POISE. I thought Polo accquited himself well.

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Love your optimism for the secondary. I am not quite as sold as you but I think it's being greatly under sold because it's not Revis.

However I don't share your opinion on the offense. And how can you use last night as evidence of anything. No Gronk, Blount, Stork, Edelman, LaFell, Chandler, Solder, and I think I am still missing a few.

This offense should be as lethal as any in the last decade. Maybe a little shy of 07 but that year was just nuts.

Ryan is awful. Never was a fan.

Anyone know why Brown didn't play last night?

signbabybrady said:

However I don't share your opinion on the offense. And how can you use last night as evidence of anything. No Gronk, Blount, Stork, Edelman, LaFell, Chandler, Solder, and I think I am still missing a few.

This offense should be as lethal as any in the last decade. Maybe a little shy of 07 but that year was just nuts.

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Vollmer was also held out.