Some comments on the comments:
1. I've never been more happy to to slog through a 13 page thread before.
2. I am an unabashed charter member of those "height whores" JMCO so colorfully labeled. So this trade was most welcomed by me....and my ilk.
3. Curran says, 6'2, the NFL site says 6'1, so the truth probably lies somewhere in the middle. At any rate, it will be nice to have a CB who when he sits down at the team's group meeting will have his feet touching the floor.
4. Interesting to watch tape on him in this thread vs Calvin Johnson. I was actually impressed with his coverage. On 2 of the catches he was right there, but didn't make the play; partly because the pass was perfect, partly because CJ is a HOF WR and physical mismatch for everyone, and partly because as we've see so often with Butler and Ryan, inexperienced CB's don't make plays on balls that more experienced CB's do.
5. The only question in my mind on this deal is to wonder why Rowe has reportedly performed so badly so far this season. Badly enough that rumors of him being cut were out there. Clearly the Pats had that question answered to THEIR satisfaction, though I wish someone will explain to me how this kid took a step back this pre season.
6. Interesting to note that Gilmore, the tall Cleveland CB who I desired, went for a 6th round pick in the 2017 draft, while Rowe took a 4th round pick in 2018. I wonder if Cleveland would have taken a 4th round for Gilbert, or were they simply afraid to look like the Pats farm club....or was Gilbert just that bad.
7. Yes Andy, there IS time-value in draft picks. Now whether every year you delay equates to a full round, is just an opinion, but whether you think it's a full round, or something less, there IS value in delaying a season. For example by waiting until 2018 the Pats will more than likely get that 4th back in comp picks from the 2017 FA class.
8. Reading Rowe's projections from his draft year, press man is a strength, while zone coverage reaction time was a weakness. I'm OK with that because as a situational guy you can put him in situations that will accentuate his strengths. Plus we play a lot more man that we used to.
9. I don't see Rowe starting or moving Colman/Jones out of the slot corner position to start. I DO see him as being a guy who takes on specific jobs MattyP gives him. In other words he give us more "positional flexibility"
1o. Kline was better than most people give him credit for. His admittedly poor performances at the end of last season were a direct result of him trying to play injured because of the beat up situation the entire OL was in. As others have said, he is a great back up guy for any of the interior OL positions and OT in a pinch, and a more than adequate spot starter. But it seems he had more value to the Pats as trade capital given the logjam the Pats have at OG.
11. BTW- since we are speaking about OG's, Greg Bedard made Chris Barker one of his 3 ups when grading the Pats preseason. He thought Barker played very well.
BOTTOM LINE- this kid has a skill set that this team sorely lacked. And as many have said, gives us some added protection from any FA defections at S or CB next season. I join the vast majority here in giving this trade a BIG thumbs up.
