Kirwan: Mayo/Hobson and Wheatley/Webster make top battles list
 

NFL.com has a piece looking at top Rookie matchups vs veterans for starting positions and they list Wheatley vs Jason Webster. This makes no sense to me. Why Webster? Wouldn't they match him up vs Bryant?

Is Webster a higher contender than Bryant? I think Pat Kirwin ought to lay off the liquor.

Also in their article was the matchup of Mayo vs Hobson... which at least made sense.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?templa...000d5d808a41e3

Re: Kirwin: Mayo/Hobson and Wheatley/Webster make top battles list
 

Actually, Lloyd, if you think about it, Kirwin is saying that Webster has less of a shot of making the team than Bryant does. Bryant has been a starter under Capers before and excelled there. So, him saying a battle between Webster and Wheatley makes sense, honestly.

Re: Kirwin: Mayo/Hobson and Wheatley/Webster make top battles list
 

I guess if he's considering it a battle for the starter at nickelback it makes sense. Hobbs/Bryant will be an interesting battle too. I tend to believe Hobbs sticks on his usual RCB and Bryant takes over the LCB for Samuel.

Does anyone else agree that Wheatley is already an upgrade over Gay?

Re: Kirwin: Mayo/Hobson and Wheatley/Webster make top battles list
 

Whether you agree or disagree with Kirwin in this piece, take this to the bank: no national media person has been fairer to BB and the Pats during this whole ****storm than Pat Kirwin, in particular, and NFL radio on Sirius, in general. In fact, Kirwin's response to callers berating the Patriots for their video practices has been his matter-of-fact admission that when he was working in the league (for the Jets, no less) he did exactly what Walsh and Estrella did. Kirwin and Tim Ryan on "Moving the Chains" at 3:00 p.m. daily on Sirius NFL Radio is as good as it gets.

Re: Kirwin: Mayo/Hobson and Wheatley/Webster make top battles list
 

Nope, Wheatley is merely and unknown quality at this point while Gay was on a distinguished road. Hobbs can only hope to improve.

Re: Kirwin: Mayo/Hobson and Wheatley/Webster make top battles list
 

I does make a lot more sense if you consider it a battle for the starting position at nickelback. I just have never considered that an actual STARTING position... which is what the article was supposed to be about.

Re: Kirwin: Mayo/Hobson and Wheatley/Webster make top battles list
 

Whatever road Gay was on, he was at least a length behind the other drivers. I have distinct memories of him running behind slot receivers.

Wheatley may be unproven in the NFL, but his speed and quickness is far better and he has the potential to be a superior CB. If he was in competition with Gay this year, my nickel would be on Wheatley taking his job before mid-season.

Re: Kirwin: Mayo/Hobson and Wheatley/Webster make top battles list
 

Bryant's starting. why would a low 3rd round pick supplant a career starter?

Re: Kirwin: Mayo/Hobson and Wheatley/Webster make top battles list
 

You apparently don't understand how this forum's ranking system works.

Re: Kirwin: Mayo/Hobson and Wheatley/Webster make top battles list
 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Hobson going for SILB, while Mayo is going for WILB? I always assumed both Hobson and Mayo would likely be the opening day starters.