Using Ellis Hobbs as KR a big risk

[SoCal Pmen]

Like him or not, Hobbs is the team's best CB and I think the Pats are running a big risk using him to return kicks even if he's got a knack for it.

Thoughts?

 

[dhamz]

This team does not have the luxury of not using its best returner on kicks right now. The offense under Cassel needs every advantage it can get and Hobbs has the ability to provide huge field position advantages for the offense.

I'd feel differently if Tom Brady were playing QB.

 

[DocE]

I agree, but I think it's worth the risk right now. If Brady wasn't injured, we wouldn't need the field position as badly as we do right now.

I am disappointed that Matt Slater couldn't win that job as keeping Hobbs/Maroney off kick returns was the main reason to draft a guy like Slater in the 5th round.

 

[Tyler.Durden]

This was covered in a large thread two weeks ago. Quite an interesting read.

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/10/130321-hobbs-should-not-running-back-kick-off.html

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I agree, but I think it's worth the risk right now. If Brady wasn't injured, we wouldn't need the field position as badly as we do right now.

I am disappointed that Matt Slater couldn't win that job as keeping Hobbs/Maroney off kick returns was the main reason to draft a guy like Slater in the 5th round.

It's actually possible that they projected Slater as a ST player à la Izzo rather than a KR/PR per se. [The more I think about this, the more it makes sense, especially learning that the Pats were trying to trade up for Zackary Bowman before they traded up for Slater after Bowman went off the board.]

 

[jcdavey]

Like him or not, Hobbs is the team's best CB and I think the Pats are running a big risk using him to return kicks even if he's got a knack for it.

Thoughts?

it's going to be a real necessary risk when you guys play sd

sd's ST looked like pure crap vs the jets, and hobbs is a superb KR

 

[KillEM]

I agree with the TS.

Where is Matt Slater? I thought he was supposed to be a return specialist

 

[dhamz]

Slater is playing the role Willie Andrews played the past couple years. I think you would see him used on returns at times if Brady were playing and the team were winning by scores like last year.

The Pats are 26th in the NFL in points scored. Every yard of field position is crucial right now and there is no way the team can afford to give up any of the 36 yards per return Hobbs is producing.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

Slater is playing the role Willie Andrews played the past couple years. I think you would see him used on returns at times if Brady were playing and the team were winning by scores like last year.

The Pats are 26th in the NFL in points scored. Every yard of field position is crucial right now and there is no way the team can afford to give up any of the 36 yards per return Hobbs is producing.

The Pats could very well be last in points scored by the end of the season unless something major changes.

First to last in points scored would be sad and this O-Line is not built for running.

 

[Sivy]

Hobbs is a kick return machine. Its worth the risk.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Imagine if the Pats went with the best option? Wouldn't the 'Maroney is made of glass' crowd cry then.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Imagine if the Pats went with the best option? Wouldn't the 'Maroney is made of glass' crowd cry then.

I was going to post on that, but I'm not 100% convinced that Maroney is definitively better, although there is no question that he's not significantly worse; Maroney's career average is 28 YPR, while Hobbs' is 28.5.

 

[dhamz]

I was going to post on that, but I'm not 100% convinced that Maroney is definitively better, although there is no question that he's not significantly worse; Maroney's career average is 28 YPR, while Hobbs' is 28.5.

I'd say from Hobbs is more explosive, Maroney more consistent. 6 of one, half dozen of the other type of comparison.

 

[muzz]

All I know is I get nervous every time he returns a kick.
He's our best CB, and we are already light there.

We have 6 foggin RBS, why can't Glassman or Faulk handle that duty?

We are 26th in offense, and we've played 3 scrub teams.....things are just looking better and better aren't they.

Imagine if we hadn't scored that WHOPPING 36 pts combined against the 13th and 14th(out of 16) AFC rated defenses in KC and NY.

I sure hope they come to play against SF, and I actually expect them to do just that.

 

[Disco Volante]

Bump for relevance.

 

[Wildo7]

and comes roaring back in to break up the deep ball!

 

[Disco Volante]

Ayo!

Very nice.