Is Eugene Wilson the Only Patriot to Get Worse?

The Patriots of this decade are known, rightly, for a lot of great things, one of which is the coaching staff's tremendous ability to coach guys up. Rookies, mid-level free agents, etc. come in here and almost invariably get better. Of course, some guys just stay what they are, and other guys (Duane Starks) who have done OK elsewhere just never seem to grasp the system.

But as far as I can tell, Eugene Wilson is the only player who has come in and made a strong impression, only to get progressively worse over time. I'm, not, by the way, speculating as to why--I think it has to be some personal issue(s) with him, but I don't know. But is there anyone else this has happened to? Anyone? I don't think so.

I agree. I don't think too many Patriots have regressed during their time here. I think it is partly because BB/Pioli identify guys who work hard, and guys who work hard to get better usually get better.

Corey Dillon

Bethel Johnson

to a lesser extent Ellis Hobbs

Ben Watson's been up and down

Corey Dillon was old. edit---he also had a magnificent first season with the team.

Bethel Johnson yes.

oldskool138 said:

Corey Dillon

Bethel Johnson

to a lesser extent Ellis Hobbs

Ben Watson's been up and down

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-Dillon got old
-Johnson never got going (couldn't understand playbook)
-Hobbs often is the guy with egg on his face when the safety over the top blows a coverage
-No opinion on watson

to a lesser extent I would consider Bethel Johnson.

he had a promising rookie year but nothing after that

xmarkd400x said:

-Dillon got old
-Johnson never got going (couldn't understand playbook)
-Hobbs often is the guy with egg on his face when the safety over the top blows a coverage
-No opinion on watson

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Okay, you never qualified your statement about "getting worse". Yeah, Dillon's drop-off was due to his getting old...but that also qualifies as getting worse, no?

Clock killin put up some of the best numbers of his career his first year here. He was hurt his 2nd and 3rd years here, so I don't think it's fair to include him. In comparison, his 2nd and 3rd years were very comparible to Antwoin Smith's.

IMO, Woody got worse as time went on. Drafted as a center, only to discover he could never handle the shotgun, forcing his move to guard.

oldskool138 said:

Okay, you never qualified your statement about "getting worse". Yeah, Dillon's drop-off was due to his getting old...but that also qualifies as getting worse, no?

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True. In my mind I qualified it as drop-off in skill. I think Dillon def. got worse, whereas Bethel just was never good. The other two, I don't think they have gotten worse.

I was going to qualify about getting old (or hurt) but I thought that was understood.

Of the names so far, I think Dillon would fall into the age category. I don't think Johnson ever showed much of anything, and I think Hobbs and Watson have been what they are. I WOULD agree that Watson is another rare thing, in that he hasn't progressed like most thought he would.

Woody is interesting--did he really decline? I didn't sense that, just that the Pats wouldn't overpay for him come FA time.

aluminum seats said:

I was going to qualify about getting old (or hurt) but I thought that was understood.

Of the names so far, I think Dillon would fall into the age category. I don't think Johnson ever showed much of anything, and I think Hobbs and Watson have been what they are. I WOULD agree that Watson is another rare thing, in that he hasn't progressed like most thought he would.

Woody is interesting--did he really decline? I didn't sense that, just that the Pats wouldn't overpay for him come FA time.

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Maybe not, but since he was drafted as a center, and unable to handle the role as it evolved to more shotgun snaps, IMO, it was a decline......

I read Reiss's comments that he thought Troy Brown would take Wilson's spot on the 45 man game day roster. I keep thinking about the Jaguar Superbowl where both Rodney and Wilson went down. Those two injuries were a huge factor in why that game was as close as it was. I don't think Wilson has been able to stay healthy since that game.

Even though Troy can play as a defensive back, I think Wilson has more experience back there and I think BB will leave him on the roster for that reason. If he gets in, Wilson will be playing not only to win but for his next contract - somewhere else. I trust BB decision will be the correct one no matter what it is.

How about Chad Jackson?

I think it really comes down to playing time. If Wilson was starting every game I don't think he would look that bad.

How about Monty Beisel?

oldskool138 said:

Okay, you never qualified your statement about "getting worse". Yeah, Dillon's drop-off was due to his getting old...but that also qualifies as getting worse, no?

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1400 yards and 26 tds in 2 years IMO doesnt qualify.

How about Charles Johnson, WR we gave quite a bit of money to who ended up stinking. Tebucky Jones to an extent too, he was never great, but he certainly was worse when we got rid of him.

Will Eugene play in the SB?

Didn't he play in the last Giant game and get burned by Plaxico?

Richard Seymour. This guy can't play a full season anymore and I rarely see anything from him on the field.

Bethel Johnson regressed for sure.

It is revisionist history to say he never was anything. As a rookie he was a dynamic kick returner and by the end of the year was contributing as a WR with first quarter TD catches in the regular season finale and the first playoff game.

He not only never contributed as much at WR the rest of his time as he did at the end of his rookie year, he also regressed as a KR.

BB4PRez said:

I keep thinking about the Jaguar Superbowl where both Rodney and Wilson went down.

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Wrong big cat.