Are We Really Ready At Defensive Back?

[signbabybrady]

Don’t sleep on Isaiah Bolden as returner.

Bill suggested it might make sense to have two KRers with the new rules and I think Marcus is definitely our PRer.

 

[Dragda]

Corners—particularly starting CBs—don’t play all 17 games. We have to have depth. I think we do, but like most rosters, it’s a significant drop off.

 

[Real fan 02]

Corners—particularly starting CBs—don’t play all 17 games. We have to have depth. I think we do, but like most rosters, it’s a significant drop off.

Most teams don't have a # 1 caliber CB like we do in gonzo. We also have a nice #2 option in j. Jones. After that we have pretty good depth. Just a matter of how it all comes together in camp.

 

[Wozzy]

Most teams don't have a # 1 caliber CB like we do in gonzo. We also have a nice #2 option in j. Jones. After that we have pretty good depth. Just a matter of how it all comes together in camp.

We're stacked at CB assuming everyone is healthy, doubly so if they get any contribution at all from the rookies.

Gonzalez, Jon Jones, Marco Wilson, Marcus Jones...

Again, if healthy, if the defensive front produces sacks and the offense can play from ahead at all... that's ^ a great group of starting CB's.

I don't see the big glaring need.

 

[n1997y]

We're stacked at CB assuming everyone is healthy, doubly so if they get any contribution at all from the rookies.

Gonzalez, Jon Jones, Marco Wilson, Marcus Jones...

Again, if healthy, if the defensive front produces sacks and the offense can play from ahead at all... that's ^ a great group of starting CB's.

I don't see the big glaring need.

Agreed. Bolden, Dial, and Alex Austin look like the best bets to step up. Even Shaun Wade might still have a chance to turn into a contributor. I’d say defensive front and CB are the best parts of a good defensive roster.

 

[Real fan 02]

We're stacked at CB assuming everyone is healthy, doubly so if they get any contribution at all from the rookies.

Gonzalez, Jon Jones, Marco Wilson, Marcus Jones...

Again, if healthy, if the defensive front produces sacks and the offense can play from ahead at all... that's ^ a great group of starting CB's.

I don't see the big glaring need.

Agree. I believe that is exactly what Mayo's doing. He knows his defense inside and out. He has one of the best CB coaches on the league in pelligrino. So while i like the starting 4.. I believe with J. Jones a bit of an injury history and a little older probably safer to kick him inside? That allows Austin, bolden, Wade, Wilson or dial an opportunity on the outside. Those guys are preferably what you like on the outside. 6'0 CBs

 

[Real fan 02]

Bill suggested it might make sense to have two KRers with the new rules and I think Marcus is definitely our PRer.

Good to see A. Austin running with the first team defense.. seems the carry over from last season is paying off for him.

 

[signbabybrady]

Good to see A. Austin running with the first team defense.. seems the carry over from last season is paying off for him.

I thought of you when I read a few tweets about him yesterday. Always good to see a player pick up where they left off or even show improvements and looks like Austin might have.

 

[Real fan 02]

I thought of you when I read a few tweets about him yesterday. Always good to see a player pick up where they left off or even show improvements and looks like Austin might have.

. Your exactly right. I was looking for your post on it,and glad I found it. I know it's only OTA'S...but the coaching staff must have really seen something in his game to have him as a starter. What I love even more about Austin is his attitude. You need a certain attitude as the great ty law says in order to play at a high level

 

[WeezyFbaby]

Dont sleep on Austin i think the kids got game. Also excited to see what Bolden can do, had a good camp before the injury

 

[Real fan 02]

Dont sleep on Austin i think the kids got game. Also excited to see what Bolden can do, had a good camp before the injury

I've been high on him since late last season..

 

[patfanken]

The UFL championship game is June 16th, NFL teams can't sign those free agents until after that game. They should really consider some of that league's best players.

This is a copy/paste job from earlier.

Hakeem Butler is looking good at WR, leads the league in yards and he is supremely talented at 6'4" tall and fast. Maybe his time on NFL rosters helped him, he had hands issues before but according to FOX Sport's stats he has caught a high amount of his targets.

Kai Nacua is Puka's brother and leads the UFL in interceptions and is also a plus athlete, he has earned himself a camp invite at the very least and he plays free safety... I'd put the Patriots on the list of teams who should at least be interested.

Carlos Davis is the twin brother of Khalil Davis, he leads the UFL in sacks and is also a plus athlete at DT. I'd love it if the Patriots brought all three of these guys above into camp.

The Pat's don't need another QB in camp, but Luis Perez is the best passer in the UFL, some QB needy team should give him a shot.

Also I admit I didn't scout their offensive linemen... there may an offensive tackle they should be bringing in from that league.

I read somewhere that the pat's were bringing in the guy who was considered the best LT in the UFL for a workout.

 

[Wozzy]

I read somewhere that the pat's were bringing in the guy who was considered the best LT in the UFL for a workout.

XFL... looks more like a guard to me.

MSN

 

[signbabybrady]

"8. Austin's time: Mayo said when Patriots defensive coaches concluded their evaluations at the end of last season, they looked at rookie cornerback Alex Austin and said to themselves, "This is an NFL player."


The Patriots had signed Austin in early November after he was released from the Texans' practice squad, and the 2023 seventh-round pick (of the Bills) played in five games at the end of New England's 4-13 season. Now he's further carving out a niche, often getting snaps across from starter Gonzalez in spring practices when veteran Jonathan Jones isn't present."

New England Patriots

Our NFL reporters listed the top three positional needs for all 32 teams at April's draft, and our draft experts found non-Round 1 fits to fill them.

www.espn.com

 

[Real fan 02]

"8. Austin's time: Mayo said when Patriots defensive coaches concluded their evaluations at the end of last season, they looked at rookie cornerback Alex Austin and said to themselves, "This is an NFL player."


The Patriots had signed Austin in early November after he was released from the Texans' practice squad, and the 2023 seventh-round pick (of the Bills) played in five games at the end of New England's 4-13 season. Now he's further carving out a niche, often getting snaps across from starter Gonzalez in spring practices when veteran Jonathan Jones isn't present."

New England Patriots

Our NFL reporters listed the top three positional needs for all 32 teams at April's draft, and our draft experts found non-Round 1 fits to fill them.

www.espn.com

Great read. Thanks for posting this. I absolutely have been so high on AA.. I love his story, love his attitude of course his play. He just needs to continue his ascension. If he does end up starting he will have plenty of opportunities to pick off passes as gonzo will be locking up # 1s.

 

[captain stone]

"8. Austin's time: Mayo said when Patriots defensive coaches concluded their evaluations at the end of last season, they looked at rookie cornerback Alex Austin and said to themselves, "This is an NFL player."

The Patriots had signed Austin in early November after he was released from the Texans' practice squad, and the 2023 seventh-round pick (of the Bills) played in five games at the end of New England's 4-13 season. Now he's further carving out a niche, often getting snaps across from starter Gonzalez in spring practices when veteran Jonathan Jones isn't present."

Austin & Jonathan Jones have different roles in the secondary: the former's is on the Outside while the latter's is on the Inside.

Shouldn't matter if Jonathan is present or not because he's Not an Outside CB.

 

[mgteich]

Austin & Jonathan Jones have different roles in the secondary: the former's is on the Outside while the latter's is on the Inside.

Shouldn't matter if Jonathan is present or not because he's Not an Outside CB.

It is better that Jon Jones takes these practices off. As with many vets, he doesn't like them and doesn't need them.

As you say, Jon staying out should only affect reps the nickel backs (primarily Marcus Jones and Wade)
==========
The coaches need to see as much as possible of Wilson, Austin and Bolden. Perhaps, the 2024 outside starter is among them. Certainly, we hope that there are a couple of OK current backups there.

 

[signbabybrady]

Austin & Jonathan Jones have different roles in the secondary: the former's is on the Outside while the latter's is on the Inside.

Shouldn't matter if Jonathan is present or not because he's Not an Outside CB.

Myself and Mike Reiss disagree

 

[n1997y]

Austin & Jonathan Jones have different roles in the secondary: the former's is on the Outside while the latter's is on the Inside.

Shouldn't matter if Jonathan is present or not because he's Not an Outside CB.

There were claims earlier in this thread that were okay at CB because our top 3 are Gonzo, Marcus, and Jon, expecting Jon to play CB2, outside opposite Gonzo.

It is better that Jon Jones takes these practices off. As with many vets, he doesn't like them and doesn't need them.

As you say, Jon staying out should only affect reps the nickel backs (primarily Marcus Jones and Wade)
==========
The coaches need to see as much as possible of Wilson, Austin and Bolden. Perhaps, the 2024 outside starter is among them. Certainly, we hope that there are a couple of OK current backups there.

Agree, Jon should be nickel and Marcus slot CB, with one of Wilson, Austin, and Bolden or possibly Wade emerging as CB2 on the behind Gonzo. Small probability one of the others step up, out of Ford-Dement, Hearn, Dial, and Mikey Victor. I’m thinking this is Wade’s last chance, and he’ll probably be on the outside looking in, but he did get playing time last season so he might have finally grown into a roster spot.

 

[mgteich]

with one of Wilson, Austin, and Bolden or possibly Wade emerging as CB2 on the behind Gonzo. Small probability one of the others step up, out of Ford-Dement, Hearn, Dial, and Mikey Victor. I’m thinking this is Wade’s last chance, and he’ll probably be on the outside looking in, but he did get playing time last season so he might have finally grown into a roster spot.

LOCKS: Gonzo, Jon Jones, Marcus Jones
===============================
I posted that the #2 CB is the weakest position on our Defense. Others consider the number competing for the starting spot makes this a strength. Perhaps it is just semantics. To test this for oneself, consider how you feel if we signed Gilmore or another veteran CB.

I suspect that 3-year starter Marco Wilson has the edge for the starting position over Wade, Austin, Bolden, and Dial. We can keep 2 or 3. BTW, I am FINE with this being the weakest position on our Defense. This means that we are better everywhere else. And this position is NOT really a problem, just an opportunity.