Are We Really Ready At Defensive Back?

[Real fan 02]

Like Pop Douglas, I worry about Gonzo's durability.

That shoulder injury was a freak injury where he went for a tackle.. he otherwise wasn't injury prone at Oregon.. I believe he will hold up.

 

[captain stone]

How many of the 6 competing for 3 spots would you want on a Top Five Defense? Note that I presume 6 corners and 4 safeties.

MY TOP SEVEN FOR NOW
CB: Gonzo, Wilson (a 3-year starter who is an upgrade to Bryant)
NB: Jones, Jones
S: Dugger, Peppers, Hawkins

COMPETING FOR THREE ROSTER SPOTS (the backup outside corner is the only "key" position)
Austin
Bolden
Wade
Bledsoe
Hearn
Dial

In a sense, the bottom line is that we lost Phillips, Mills and Bryant. We then added Hawkins. I would add two more, at least for camp competition. My choices would be Gilmore and a free safety (even if the safety would be #4 and would be active just in case of injury. Of course, a high-level free safety would be better.

BTW, if you don't think of Wilson as much better than the rest, then we have FOUR open roster spots.

Out of those 6, in order: Austin, Wade & Dial, then Bolden, Hearn & Bedsore.

 

[captain stone]

I am very high on Bolden playing opposite from Gonzo I think we'll we Good @ CB.

You're high on something if you think Bolden is capable of being a starting-caliber CB on a team even as bad as ours is.

 

[captain stone]

I'll be curious to see if the Patriots utilize Marcellas Dial at corner, or plan to convert him to free safety.

Always try them at CB first.

 

[n1997y]

That shoulder injury was a freak injury where he went for a tackle.. he otherwise wasn't injury prone at Oregon.. I believe he will hold up.

My concern is that it’s been described as a concussion or head injury, and the immediate response getting him off the field was uncomfortably reminiscent of the way they handled Damar Hamlin’s injury as extremely serious. I’m hoping it didn’t affect his psyche, making him play scared. Hope not, just projecting possible worst case.

EDIT TO ADD: I’d forgotten, they called off the remainder of the game after he was injured, and cancelled joint practices planned with Tennessee that following week. So at the time it seemed like they were treating it as a very big deal.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4789905/2023/08/19/patriots-packers-isaiah-bolden-injury/
Patriots CB Bolden released from hospital after injury vs. Packers

 

[n1997y]

He was Coached by Prime Time.

Not just that. His father played CB professionally, nine years in the NFL and four in the CFL. Isaiah was a top prospect out of HS, originally enrolled at FSU. Played in every FSU game in 2019, started in the Sun Bowl that year. Then he transferred to Jackson State to play for Deion Sanders. I can’t help but wonder whether his father and Deion were acquainted…

Jackson State had some good stats on him, here:
Isaiah Bolden - Football - Jackson State University

 

[n1997y]

You're high on something if you think Bolden is capable of being a starting-caliber CB on a team even as bad as ours is.

I think you’re selling him short. He’s got the athleticism, two sport star in HS winning regional championships in 100m and 200m dash. He’s got the pedigree, his father played CB in the NFL for 9 years. He’s got the training, coached by Deion Sanders.

His RAS is very close to Gonzo’s:


His falling to the seventh round and then being the only player from a HBCU drafted at all seems more a commentary on the NFL then on him.

 

[n1997y]

Gonzo’s RAS, for comparison.

 

[rkarp1]

agree 100%
the team could use a vet CB. they lost vets Bryant, Mills and both Jack Jones and JC Jackson
all had value last season at various times. Wade and Austin did play some valuable snaps as well, but both seemed like "no one else available" choices.

 

[Real fan 02]

You're high on something if you think Bolden is capable of being a starting-caliber CB on a team even as bad as ours is.

Capn we had a bad offense last season and a excellent defense. Austin will be the starter opposite Gonzo. I gave absolutely 0 concern about the CB groupings.

 

[Real fan 02]

My concern is that it’s been described as a concussion or head injury, and the immediate response getting him off the field was uncomfortably reminiscent of the way they handled Damar Hamlin’s injury as extremely serious. I’m hoping it didn’t affect his psyche, making him play scared. Hope not, just projecting possible worst case.

EDIT TO ADD: I’d forgotten, they called off the remainder of the game after he was injured, and cancelled joint practices planned with Tennessee that following week. So at the time it seemed like they were treating it as a very big deal.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4789905/2023/08/19/patriots-packers-isaiah-bolden-injury/
Patriots CB Bolden released from hospital after injury vs. Packers

Oh yes! How could I forget the poor guy laying there! I was actually mentioning Gonzo's injury, but yes thanks for reminding me of this. It absolutely was so reminiscent of Hamlin.

 

[Wozzy]

I'll be curious to see if the Patriots utilize Marcellas Dial at corner, or plan to convert him to free safety.

A free safety has to be both... if they don't have a free safety but a plethora of oversized CB's, it's easy enough to put one back there, whether it's Dial or someone else. That person just has to be smart.

 

[Real fan 02]

agree 100%
the team could use a vet CB. they lost vets Bryant, Mills and both Jack Jones and JC Jackson
all had value last season at various times. Wade and Austin did play some valuable snaps as well, but both seemed like "no one else available" choices.

I believe Austin has probably the most purest ability as far as using his length, his speed snd instincts. He has great foot work and can run with any WR.. Austin has a great shot to earn a starting spot opposite gonzo.

 

[Wozzy]

I believe Austin has probably the most purest ability as far as using his length, his speed snd instincts. He has great foot work and can run with any WR.. Austin has a great shot to earn a starting spot opposite gonzo.

I think you're really overselling Austin, he certainly can't run with any receiver because he doesn't have the speed. As far as "pure ability," who has more of it?

Marco Wilson
6’0” 191
4.35 Forty
26 Bench
43.5” Vert
136” Broad
4.09 Shuttle
6.80 Cone

Alex Austin
6’1” 196
4.55 Forty
00 Bench
33.0” Vert
122” Broad
4.25 Shuttle
7.06 Cone

Wilson is a thoroughbred, Austin is a good not great athlete... he's a bigger Myles Bryant.

The Patriots suffered a lot of injuries at CB last season, which is why they had to go bargain shopping on the practice squad waiver wire. But when everyone is healthy, they can probably do better.

 

[signbabybrady]

I can't get over how everyone is just writing off one of the most electric players we've had because he's a few inches shorter than everyone else. Marcus scored TDs on defense, offense, and STs his rookie year and last year in training camp he was looking like he was going to be one of our top 3 corners.

I mean Pop looks like he'll probably be our best WR and he's like 5'8 170 pounds and he doesn't get ignored.

What am I missing that I seem to be the only one hyped up about Marcus?

I think you all are sleeping on him.

 

[Real fan 02]

I think you're really overselling Austin, he certainly can't run with any receiver because he doesn't have the speed. As far as "pure ability," who has more of it?

Marco Wilson
6’0” 191
4.35 Forty
26 Bench
43.5” Vert
136” Broad
4.09 Shuttle
6.80 Cone

Alex Austin
6’1” 196
4.55 Forty
00 Bench
33.0” Vert
122” Broad
4.25 Shuttle
7.06 Cone

Wilson is a thoroughbred, Austin is a good not great athlete... he's a bigger Myles Bryant.

The Patriots suffered a lot of injuries at CB last season, which is why they had to go bargain shopping on the practice squad waiver wire. But when everyone is healthy, they can probably do better.

Oh I agree Wozzy. I guess I'm just going off of what I saw last season of all the young guys he was the one that made the most of his opportunities. He was a starter on the outside by seasoned end. I admit I don't know much about Wilson.. I'm just leaning towards Austin becuase I like what I've seen from him and he just seems to have natural ability In his all around game. We have a nice stable of young guys all trying to make thier mark in the league. I believe Wade is veteran in the group right 4 years in?

 

[Real fan 02]

I can't get over how everyone is just writing off one of the most electric players we've had because he's a few inches shorter than everyone else. Marcus scored TDs on defense, offense, and STs his rookie year and last year in training camp he was looking like he was going to be one of our top 3 corners.

I mean Pop looks like he'll probably be our best WR and he's like 5'8 170 pounds and he doesn't get ignored.

What am I missing that I seem to be the only one hyped up about Marcus?

I think you all are sleeping on him.

Marcus is a sensational athlete. I love his game. He's undersized as a CB on the outside and I get Ellia Hobbs vibes whenever he lined up on the outside. I love him in the slot where he can use his range of motion, natural instincts and ball skills. He's also an all pro special teams ace. He abs was missed last season. I'm hyped about Marcus too. I believe pop will be our best slot WR, but he will take alot of hits. I've been wide awake on him.. never.. sleeping...

 

[JohnJH]

One of my pet-peeves with a position that was available in FA that they could have addressed but didn't, was a true FS. There were two young (young enough to be a part of the next contender) and talented FS's that wouldn't have broken the bank (especially considering that their contacts would have seemed like a bargain in a couple of years, as is usually the case). Perhaps one of the young corners with sufficient size and such can be successfully converted to the next solid FS (and that might very well be the plan), but until that happens, I'm leery of the FS position on the defense.

 

[rkarp1]

I believe Austin has probably the most purest ability as far as using his length, his speed snd instincts. He has great foot work and can run with any WR.. Austin has a great shot to earn a starting spot opposite gonzo.

while I agree Austin played fairly well last season, I also believe he was a street free agent well into the season for a reason. lets face it, he played here because there was no one else due to injury, suspension and trade. I also do not see the speed you allude to.

for me I would like to see;
1) Gonzo
2) Wilson
3) Jon Jones
4) Marcus Jones
5) vet similar to Mills/Bryant-versatile. good tackler.
6) Austin
7) Wade
8) Boldin

 

[captain stone]

My concern is that it’s been described as a concussion or head injury, and the immediate response getting him off the field was uncomfortably reminiscent of the way they handled Damar Hamlin’s injury as extremely serious. I’m hoping it didn’t affect his psyche, making him play scared. Hope not, just projecting possible worst case.

EDIT TO ADD: I’d forgotten, they called off the remainder of the game after he was injured, and cancelled joint practices planned with Tennessee that following week. So at the time it seemed like they were treating it as a very big deal.
Patriots CB Bolden released from hospital after injury vs. Packers
Patriots CB Bolden released from hospital after injury vs. Packers

I believe RF was referring to Gonzales, not Bolden.