Corners taking flack

[ayjackson]

The criticism on this board of the cornerbacks available in this draft has been a little hyperbolic, imho. This likely stems from the fact that Revis and Hall lack that sexy top end speed for a first rounder.

I think that the first day class is solid though. Perhaps the talent is really second and third round which will cause some reaching by teams at the end of the first (and a chain reaction thereafter).

Regardless, Revis, Hall, Hughes, McCauley, Houston, Ross, Wade, Jackson, Brown, Bennett, Wilson and Davis make for a nice day 1 class with plenty of potential available. I think if Revis and Hall had 4.4 speed, the impression of this class would change considerably.

 

[patchick]

Could be, but lack of speed isn't the main complaint. There are a lot of CBs in the draft who lack the qualities the Patriots particularly value, including ball skills and run support. Too many great cover guys who don't tackle.

 

[Remix 6]

revis asksed how many times hes been beat? he said 0! he said he doesnt need 4.3 speed..hes seen DeAngelo Hall get beat a ton of times..itsabout footwork and technique and he said he can stick to anyone

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Speed? If the Pats wanted the fastest, most gifted pinheads going they'd have Pacman and friends on the Reserve/Imprisoned roster. I'm not impressed reading about guys who gamble and give up big plays, or pretty boys who think run support is rip-stop pantyhose.

 

[Remix 6]

Speed? If the Pats wanted the fastest, most gifted pinheads going they'd have Pacman and friends on the Reserve/Imprisoned roster. I'm not impressed reading about guys who gamble and give up big plays, or pretty boys who think run support is rip-stop pantyhose.

gamble? We have arguably 2 of the best gamblers in the league. dont tell me asante doesnt gamble..each time he jumps a route thats a gamble but hes smart doing it..he knows when. Hobbs was the biggest gambler as a rookie in preseason but he learned a little after he got beat by Saints. You need to be a gambler in NFL..cant just hope picks are going to come to you each time or just "knock it down"

gambling can be thought(when to do it, how) and to avoid big plays. I dont think any corner in the draft thinks run stopping isnt important either..some dont give a lot of effort but a lot of them do

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

gamble? We have arguably 2 of the best gamblers in the league. dont tell me asante doesnt gamble..each time he jumps a route thats a gamble but hes smart doing it..he knows when. Hobbs was the biggest gambler as a rookie in preseason but he learned a little after he got beat by Saints. You need to be a gambler in NFL..cant just hope picks are going to come to you each time or just "knock it down"

gambling can be thought(when to do it, how) and to avoid big plays. I dont think any corner in the draft thinks run stopping isnt important either..some dont give a lot of effort but a lot of them do

Asante's gambling is disciplined.

- Hughes: NFLDraftScout notes, "undisciplined". CONdraft notes, "[h]e...hasn't faced a top WR for a whole game..."
- Hall: Folks here talk about his disappearing against top talent. CONdraft notes: "Is best in a cover 2 scheme."
- Ross: NFLDraftScout notes, "[g]ives up as many big plays as he makes." CONdraft notes: "He is an aged prospect with limited upside."

NFLDraftScout has these three listed as first round picks behind Revis, they may work well in the Pats' system, but I'm not sure I'd use a draft pick on them in the late first. I think there may be better Pats' material in the middle rounds.

 

[Seneschal2]

The criticism on this board of the cornerbacks available in this draft has been a little hyperbolic, imho.

Well, speed is only relative to the positions -- but there's so much more that's needed to play CB:

Ball skills -- We've heard Belichick mention the ball skills of Hobbs, Wilson, Gay, Law, and opponents DBs. We don't need to think twice about how important this quality is to him when scouting CBs.

Tackling ability -- "Don't bring me a defensive player who can't tackle - what am I going to do with him?" Do these words ring a bell?

Size, speed, athletic ability -- Enough to play the position. That's it. If a player's lack of speed or size hinders his ability to play at the NFL level, then he represents a risk. Draftwise, some risks are worth taking -- but most aren't.

Intangibles -- Character, intelligence, productivity, versatility, work ethic, coachability, team player

It's asking too much for one prospect to possess all of these qualiites. But we can be certain that every Pats draft choice will have most of them.