4th and 5th Safety

[Armchair Quarterback]

If both Ebner and Wilson make the 53 I could see Allen making the roster. Maybe Ihedigbo, maybe Cole - not Barrett or Brown

After last year, I don't know if we want that much inexperience one inevitable Chung injury from starting in the secondary.

 

[Off The Grid]

Mark Chmura played for Frontier in Deerfield (Yes there is a town called that in Mass. for all those geo-politically challenged E. Mass folks).

How could anyone not have heard of Deerfield?

One of my childhood friends moved there when we were like 10. Funny to hear that someone from that tiny, rural place turned into a Pro Bowler.

1704 ~ The DeerField Massacre​

No Punch Line, Gents.

That was some horrific schytte...right here in Massachusetts. ​

 

[ATippett56]

Since it's imperative to have at least 3 of them taking significant reps each game, I'm not super-happy with the idea of having only 4 overall.

Hightower has the potential to play outside linebacker in a 3-4 defensive alignment.

 

[mgteich]

IMHO, we could field just about any style of defense with 19 of the 21. I just don't see huge contributions from Dennard and Ebner as position players. Ebner is getting good press. If he is a top Ster, he has a spot on the team.

I like Cole instead of Dennard.

I expect that if we keep Ebner as a STER, it will be at the expense of the 16th Front Seven player, that LB/ST player like Koutovides or Tarpinian. I would then expect us to keep a backup safety like Ihedigbo. Chung simply cannot be counted on to play for a full year.

Yep, I like the flexibility as well as the talent level. With those 21 players, you could field just about any style of defense BB can dream up.

I have a feeling that Cole could slip into the CB roster, too. He seems to offer the best balance of ST impact and actual DB skills.

 

[crew1954]

How could anyone not have heard of Deerfield?

One of my childhood friends moved there when we were like 10. Funny to hear that someone from that tiny, rural place turned into a Pro Bowler.

Franklin County, where the NFl goes when it needs tight ends:

Jean Fugett

Jean Schloss Fugett Jr. (twitter: @jeanfugett)

Position: TE
Height: 6-3 Weight: 225 lbs.

Born: December 16, 1951 in Baltimore, MD (Age 60)
College: Amherst (school history)
Drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the 13th round (338th overall) of the 1972 NFL Draft.

Weighted Career AV (100-95-...): 34 (2759th overall since 1950)
1-time Pro Bowler (fine print)

 

[JackBauer]

I would then expect us to keep a backup safety like Ihedigbo. Chung simply cannot be counted on to play for a full year.

That's what Tavon Wilson is for.

 

[mayoclinic]

From Field Yates today:

Ebner picks two. Rookie safety Nate Ebner's defensive development continues, as he picked off two more passes on Friday, each on tipped passes. The passes were thrown by Ryan Mallet and Brian Hoyer.

Camp Observations: Day 23 - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

 

[Marqui]

I wonder what Ebner's ceiling is.

 

[mayoclinic]

I wonder what Ebner's ceiling is.

I'm tempted to say "Ronnie Lott" just to get a response, but the reality is, no one knows. But Mike Vrabel clearly stressed Ebner's upside and potential to BB, and spoke openly about it after the draft.

 

[Off The Grid]

I wonder what Ebner's ceiling is.

I'm tempted to say "Ronnie Lott" just to get a response, but the reality is, no one knows. But Mike Vrabel clearly stressed Ebner's upside and potential to BB, and spoke openly about it after the draft.

I'm tempted to say "Ronnie Lott" just on general principles!!

I said it yesterday, and I'll say it again: this guy could be extraordinary.

Not just a Sub Pack/Reserve/Special Teams guy.

A long time starter and an extraordinary one.

With that freakish Athleticism, that insatiable Work Ethic, and what are rapidly becoming clear are phenomenal Processing Speed and Instincts...I say the sky's the limit for this guy.

 

[mayoclinic]

I'm tempted to say "Ronnie Lott" just on general principles!!

I said it yesterday, and I'll say it again: this guy could be extraordinary.

Not just a Sub Pack/Reserve/Special Teams guy.

A long time starter and an extraordinary one.

With that freakish Athleticism, that insatiable Work Ethic, and what are rapidly becoming clear are phenomenal Processing Speed and Instincts...I say the sky's the limit for this guy.

I will go so far as to say that I think Ebner's upside is higher than Chung's, and I like Chung. But his floor is obviously much, much lower.

 

[Deus Irae]

I wonder what Ebner's ceiling is.

Wait until he plays for the Jets. Ray Ray will then let you know that his ceiling is unlimited.

 

[patchick]

I'm tempted to say "Ronnie Lott" just on general principles!!

I said it yesterday, and I'll say it again: this guy could be extraordinary.

Not just a Sub Pack/Reserve/Special Teams guy.

A long time starter and an extraordinary one.

With that freakish Athleticism, that insatiable Work Ethic, and what are rapidly becoming clear are phenomenal Processing Speed and Instincts...I say the sky's the limit for this guy.

Seriously, the fun of a prospect like Ebner is that he really came in with no ceiling, and no floor. Given his proven elite physical and mental makeup and near-total lack of football experience, ANYTHING was possible.

So given the way he seems to be shooting up the safety depth chart despite missing a big chunk of camp, and has, what, four INTs in practice so far...it's hard not to start thinking about the good extremes of "anything," eh?

 

[patsfan13]

Yep, I like the flexibility as well as the talent level. With those 21 players, you could field just about any style of defense BB can dream up.

I have a feeling that Cole could slip into the CB roster, too. He seems to offer the best balance of ST impact and actual DB skills.

This is what I am thinking. I think 10 DB's are needed for sub packages and depth due. Ebner's emergence has me thinking that Cole and Ihedgibo are playing for the last DB slot.

 

[ATippett56]

Seriously, the fun of a prospect like Ebner is that he really came in with no ceiling, and no floor. Given his proven elite physical and mental makeup and near-total lack of football experience, ANYTHING was possible.

So given the way he seems to be shooting up the safety depth chart despite missing a big chunk of camp, and has, what, four INTs in practice so far...it's hard not to start thinking about the good extremes of "anything," eh?

Anyone who looks better than the defensive trio of Barrett, Ihedigbo, and Brown (Sergio) is a major upgrade to the New England Patriots defensive secondary.

 

[The Gr8est]

Seriously, the fun of a prospect like Ebner is that he really came in with no ceiling, and no floor. Given his proven elite physical and mental makeup and near-total lack of football experience, ANYTHING was possible.

So given the way he seems to be shooting up the safety depth chart despite missing a big chunk of camp, and has, what, four INTs in practice so far...it's hard not to start thinking about the good extremes of "anything," eh?

Ebner was an early binky of mine who I had given up hope on due to his inexperience and lost practice time,

His performance in such a short time has been astounding, and I hope like hell the Pats find a way to keep him on the 53.

It's almost like "The Natural"; a guy who comes out of no where, no one expects anything from, and then he just plays well.

He's going to be fun to watch.

 

[patchick]

Ebner was an early binky of mine who I had given up hope on due to his inexperience and lost practice time,

His performance in such a short time has been astounding, and I hope like hell the Pats find a way to keep him on the 53.

I'm right there with you, I thought that missing so many practices would be the kiss of death for the least experienced player on the team (if not in the whole league). Remarkable stuff.

 

[patsinthesnow]

If BB becomes comfortable with Ebner playing snaps on the field as safety, it'll be all over for the Clueless Three in Barrett, Brown, Ihedigbo. 4 Safeties will be fine. (Chung, Gregory, Wilson, Ebner) It says alot about the clueless 3 when two rookie safeties are outperforming them.

 

[BBass]

Ebner was an early binky of mine who I had given up hope on due to his inexperience and lost practice time,

His performance in such a short time has been astounding, and I hope like hell the Pats find a way to keep him on the 53.

It's almost like "The Natural"; a guy who comes out of no where, no one expects anything from, and then he just plays well.

He's going to be fun to watch.

Agree its going to be a great watch. Can't remember a player that had this level of reckless nature on the Pats..

 

[Marqui]

So given the way he seems to be shooting up the safety depth chart despite missing a big chunk of camp, and has, what, four INTs in practice so far...it's hard not to start thinking about the good extremes of "anything," eh?

He has at least six which I think leads the team and also has a handful of pass breakups as well. And I don't remember hearing about him ever blowing coverages or getting beat for big plays down the field. He's been playing at a very high level for someone who's never played real football in his entire life.