Okay...Confess...Do You Really Have Confidence In Hobbs?

MrBigglesWorth · Dec 30, 2007

emoney_33 said:
If Hobbs responsibility is the deep zone, you can't expect him to break up plays underneath him on in-cuts. Everything I've heard from BB and his teammates suggests that everyone in the patriots organization has confidence in Hobbs. I don't have confidence in any secondary or any CB to lock down anyone without pressure on the QB. And then sometimes there's just nothing you can do when a QB makes a good throw and a receiver makes a good catch (see the Plaxico catch in the 1st quarter).

I am amazed that Assante doesn't get tested deep when the opponents get a 1 on 1 with him. I am stunned and happy and how often teams will stay away from Samuel throughout most of the game. I guarantee if teams wanted to pick on Samuel, sure he'd have some INTs along the way but he'd be scorched for some plays deep too, just like every CB in the game.

To sum it up, YES I have confidence in Hobbs. I'll never forget how he took over for that incompetent Duane Starks either!

good analysis and points on the types of coverage

IcyPatriot · Dec 30, 2007

Re: Okay ... Confess ... Do You Really Have Confidence In Hobbs?

RayClay said:
Hobbs gave up 8 inches 5'9" to 6'5".

I wish I could give 8".

IcyPatriot · Dec 30, 2007

emoney_33 said:
To sum it up, YES I have confidence in Hobbs. I'll never forget how he took over for that incompetent Duane Starks either!

Now there's a nightmare flashback

... glad we woke up from that one.

dtbrks · Dec 30, 2007

Sure, as our 2nd DB. He has gotten some terrible calls against him that have hurt his Rep with some pats fans, but he isn't as bad as some other teams second DB's.

And just for comparison, how many smaller DM's has Moss made look bad, really bad? That catch that plex had was just impossible for him to defend, give credit to the giants on that play.

PATSYLICIOUS · Dec 30, 2007

i think against bigger physical wr's he can be a liability. so maybe the jags could give him trouble. no other afc teams really have sizy wr's

he did a fine job in last year's playoffs

Lansdowne · Dec 30, 2007

He may be the weak link in the defense, but every defense has one. I still would take Hobbs over the majority of #2 CB's around the league, and he's unquestionably the 2nd best corner on this team.

Fencer · Dec 30, 2007

Confidence, no.
Optimism, yes.

In any given game, I expect him to play well.

I also suspect he's a bit beat up, given the lengths BB has gone to to keep him off of kick return duty.

Hollywood_Brady · Dec 30, 2007

just dont put the #1 receiver on him... we are good...

Patriot_in_NY · Dec 30, 2007

emoney_33 said:
If Hobbs responsibility is the deep zone, you can't expect him to break up plays underneath him on in-cuts. Everything I've heard from BB and his teammates suggests that everyone in the patriots organization has confidence in Hobbs. I don't have confidence in any secondary or any CB to lock down anyone without pressure on the QB. And then sometimes there's just nothing you can do when a QB makes a good throw and a receiver makes a good catch (see the Plaxico catch in the 1st quarter).

I am amazed that Assante doesn't get tested deep when the opponents get a 1 on 1 with him. I am stunned and happy and how often teams will stay away from Samuel throughout most of the game. I guarantee if teams wanted to pick on Samuel, sure he'd have some INTs along the way but he'd be scorched for some plays deep too, just like every CB in the game.

To sum it up, YES I have confidence in Hobbs. I'll never forget how he took over for that incompetent Duane Starks either!

Problem is it's risk/reward. Asante is a great route reader and is one of the best in the league at jumping routes. Yes, he'd get toasted on occasion, but it's just as likely that if you and the receiver are even a half step out of tune, it's a pick. Makes a QB (and DC) think a bit.

In principle I agree though, Asante has toastability all over him (we saw it last night) 1 on 1 with an functioning QB/WR tandem. My own opinion is that man-to-man, Hobbs does a better job then AS. At least most of the time.

PatsSteve1 · Dec 30, 2007

My short answer is yes. Hobbs isn't in an enviable position with most teams seeming to avoid Samuel's side. The Patriots don't flip CB's so he sometimes gets the best WR where if they flipped he might always be on the #2. That long pass last night to Plastico, well thrown to a guy with an 8 inch hieght advantage is just about indefensible. When Moss does that we say nice play Randy. When it happens to Hobbs many say bad play Hobbs. He also many times, and Reggie Wayne comes to mind, gives up the comeback route to the outside often. Sometimes it seems like the Colts could do that all day. But if the Patriots pass D stresses to not give up the deep ball or let a WR get behind you, a well run route and a well thrown ball is almost indefensible here again. And Manning and Wayne are pretty good. Don't think the Colts aren't waiting for Hobbs to overplay that comeback route so they had run a stop and go with a pump fake and hit Wayne deep. On most deep balls to his side he always seems to be right there, but against bigger WR's he's at a disadvantage right from the start. And remember, it's not like BBioli are going to put anyone else there if Hobbs is healthy.

mgteich · Dec 30, 2007

Do I have confidence in Hobbs in his role as #2 corner on this team? Sure!

Michael · Dec 30, 2007

F.B.N. said:
Okay ... strap on the lie detector.

Do you really have confidence in Hobbs?

For me the answer is no. I feel we have a good enough defense to compensate for him ...
I think he has the ability to be better and that's why I have no confidence in him.
With all that athletic ability he should be a ball hawk ... and he is not ... oh well ...

party on Garth ... party on Wayne

I never did. Why would I start now?

ShrewBeer · Dec 30, 2007

the league is structured against the corner. the rules are meant to see more touchdowns. i think samuel is an awesome corner, and yet he gives up so much short stuff for first downs it makes me sick. hobbs is the same way. not quite as skilled as samuel yet, but he is on his way. i guess my point is that no corner looks good to me, and i have no confidence in any of them.

Seneschal2 · Dec 30, 2007

emoney_33 said:
I don't have confidence in any secondary or any CB to lock down anyone without pressure on the QB. And then sometimes there's just nothing you can do when a QB makes a good throw and a receiver makes a good catch (see the Plaxico catch in the 1st quarter).

I am amazed that Assante doesn't get tested deep when the opponents get a 1 on 1 with him. I am stunned and happy and how often teams will stay away from Samuel throughout most of the game. I guarantee if teams wanted to pick on Samuel, sure he'd have some INTs along the way but he'd be scorched for some plays deep too, just like every CB in the game.

:agree:

To sum it up, YES I have confidence in Hobbs.

While I remain concerned about our edge rushers (Vrabel aside) -- especially vs average QBs.

Haterproof · Dec 30, 2007

I've a ton of confidence is Hobbs.I know Bill will be on him very hard these next 2 weeks.Watch how people jump on the Hobbs bandwagon if he has a few big interceptions in the playoffs.We're a team.There is no I in team.

bradmahn · Dec 30, 2007

Wrong game to be asking this question. Hobbs played well yesterday, better than the Pro Bowl cornerback on the Pats.

Cityofchampions33 · Dec 30, 2007

I think he's fine for now in the #2 spot. Do I think we should consider jumping on a stud CB in next year's draft? yes, but if we go for Laurianitis I won't be upset. I think it's a problem we don't switch corners so Asante can cover the other team's top WR. If another team decide to switch sides like the Giants did with Burress, it could expose him more than he was last night (he did well considering).

5 Rings for Brady!! · Dec 30, 2007

dtbrks said:
Sure, as our 2nd DB. He has gotten some terrible calls against him that have hurt his Rep with some pats fans, but he isn't as bad as some other teams second DB's.

And just for comparison, how many smaller DM's has Moss made look bad, really bad? That catch that plex had was just impossible for him to defend, give credit to the giants on that play.

Good point. Let's not forget that Moss gets double or triple coverage, and he is two inches shorter than Plex. Hobbs looked better against Plex than Eugene Wilson did....

Hobbs is a #2. He is slightly above average as a #2, and we seem to be able to live with that just fine so far.

I do think we need Asante back next year, and we also need to bring in another CB if possible. Gay is pretty average.

kierkegaard · Dec 30, 2007

If he would shut up, I would think more highly of him. But no, not much confidence but not every player at every position can be a pro bowl player. I don't have much confidence in Matt Light when he is facing one of the better DE's in the league either.

emoney_33 · Dec 30, 2007

PatsSteve1 said:
My short answer is yes. Hobbs isn't in an enviable position with most teams seeming to avoid Samuel's side. The Patriots don't flip CB's so he sometimes gets the best WR where if they flipped he might always be on the #2. That long pass last night to Plastico, well thrown to a guy with an 8 inch hieght advantage is just about indefensible. When Moss does that we say nice play Randy. When it happens to Hobbs many say bad play Hobbs. He also many times, and Reggie Wayne comes to mind, gives up the comeback route to the outside often. Sometimes it seems like the Colts could do that all day. But if the Patriots pass D stresses to not give up the deep ball or let a WR get behind you, a well run route and a well thrown ball is almost indefensible here again. And Manning and Wayne are pretty good. Don't think the Colts aren't waiting for Hobbs to overplay that comeback route so they had run a stop and go with a pump fake and hit Wayne deep. On most deep balls to his side he always seems to be right there, but against bigger WR's he's at a disadvantage right from the start. And remember, it's not like BBioli are going to put anyone else there if Hobbs is healthy.

The perfect example of the Colts waiting for that stop and go play is when Samuel bit on the fake and Marvin got wide open behind him for an easy touchdown (last year I think?). So unless you have safety help over the top the CB just cannot bite on those cuts the majority of the time, especially against the Colts.

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