Adrian Wilson, Safety Is Right On "The Money"

[PatsFans.com Article]

Adrian Wilson, Safety Is Right On "The Money"
By: Steve Balestrieri

The Patriots were a woeful 29th in covering the tight ends in 2012, according to Football Outsiders. For the defense to take the next step that has to change....

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[NEPettyOfficer72]

I agree with him, and I told people that a coaches decision doesn't mean that the player has lost anything. He himself said that he feels great physically and feels as though he is 100%. And looks like he is having a good camp which could be expected from a great veteran like him. I think he is one of our, if not our main piece on defense this year.

 

[Kontradiction]

I agree with him, and I told people that a coaches decision doesn't mean that the player has lost anything. He himself said that he feels great physically and feels as though he is 100%. And looks like he is having a good camp which could be expected from a great veteran like him. I think he is one of our, if not our main piece on defense this year.

I'm guessing that you expect him to finish with one of the all time great seasons that a safety has ever played in NFL history?

 

[NEPettyOfficer72]

I'm guessing that you expect him to finish with one of the all time great seasons that a safety has ever played in NFL history?

No, I'm saying he will have a good season. I don't know what it is about people's misconception on veterans once they get a certain age. Those are usually your best players in the NFL. I'm not saying that Adrian is still the same, I'm saying he will be valuable to the defense with his knowledge, experience, and tenacity along with giving the defense an edge and attitude. And his value in sub packages as a Linebacker. Look, the guy is only 33.. you have vets like James Harrison who is 35 years old, and still a beast, if you watch Hard Knocks. I've seen Rod Woodson, John Lynch and Brian Dawkins, guys like that play at a high level a few years older then what Adrian Wilson is. When Rodney came he was ONLY a year or two younger, at had at least 3 more good to great seasons well into the age of 36 before he slowed down. People act like this guy is a dinosaur now, and its so stupid this new school generation, not all but some. Thank God Bill Belichick knows football and knows the value of a good veteran presence and how instrumental they are to Championship teams, particularly ours.

 

[supafly]

No, I'm saying he will have a good season. I don't know what it is about people's misconception on veterans once they get a certain age. Those are usually your best players in the NFL. I'm not saying that Adrian is still the same, I'm saying he will be valuable to the defense with his knowledge, experience, and tenacity along with giving the defense an edge and attitude. And his value in sub packages as a Linebacker. Look, the guy is only 33.. you have vets like James Harrison who is 35 years old, and still a beast, if you watch Hard Knocks. I've seen Rod Woodson, John Lynch and Brian Dawkins, guys like that play at a high level a few years older then what Adrian Wilson is. When Rodney came he was ONLY a year or two younger, at had at least 3 more good to great seasons well into the age of 36 before he slowed down. People act like this guy is a dinosaur now, and its so stupid this new school generation, not all but some. Thank God Bill Belichick knows football and knows the value of a good veteran presence and how instrumental they are to Championship teams, particularly ours.

I think you're right that Belichick will certainly utilize Wilson's strengths, which are those that you mentioned above.

The fact remains however, that his coverage skills have certainly taken a step backwards. How much that comes into play this season is the million dollar question of course.

I think he will still be a nice pickup and can provide some spark to the defense, but those coverage skills are what is concerning me and others.

 

[ATippett56]

Considering that Adrian Wilson will turn 34 years old by the sixth game of the 2013 NFL Season, I certainly hope the New England Patriots coaching staff has stockpiled plenty of Geritol for the upcoming season.

Adrian Wilson NFL Football Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Does my man Wilson's Social Security income count against the Pats cap?

 

[Sicilian]

One of the biggest (and most frustrating) holes in the Pats defense the last few years has been the intermediate routes in the middle of the field. A combination of middle-route runners and tight ends have gotten consistent big gains there, most noticeably on 3rd and long.

Wilson, while not THE solution ultimately, is part of a trio of players that were not available last year that have the potential to improve that area: Wilson, Fletcher, Collins.

He doesn't have to be Rodney Harrison, he just needs to make a few of the opponents think twice when going over the middle.

 

[goheels22002]

The Patriots were 22nd in the NFL on third down conversion percentage defensively last year, 29th on percentage of 3rd downs converted by the opponent using the forward pass. Stopping tight ends more frequently is a huge need if those numbers are to improve.

Adrian Wilson can make a big difference here. I am more enthusiastic about the rookie Collins coming in who was a defensive back early in his football career.