Meet Our Free Safety

[pazrul72]

I said BB was the smartest guy in the NFL and he should find a way to make it work. Milloy said something about Bill Parcells inferring he was the smartest…

I told him how Parcells had a 500 record on both teams he had coached to that point until BB became his defensive coordinator, and within one season both teams were in the Super Bowl. Ty Law just nodded in agreement as if he told him the same thing at some point.

Milloy said “yeah, but he’s f-ing with my money.” It was definitely about money, Rodney took a little less.

It wasnt just about money, i think it was patriot reign where in the offseason meeting room all the other coaches said look at all of milloys big plays and bill said which ones pulling up his one sack and one interception the year before. I forget the exact stats but they were low for an impact starter. It was 100% the right call even just for on field performance. Still sucked at the time as he was a vocal leader in the locker room but it all worked out so why complain?

 

[n1997y]

Of course it can hurt.

How does adding to competition at any position hurt?

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

How does adding to competition at any position hurt?

Competition is fine. Actually believing or depending on Hawkins to be the starting FS is nuts.

 

[mgteich]

Competition is fine. Actually believing or depending on Hawkins to be the starting FS is nuts.

As was the case in our 2023 top 10 Defense, our starting free safety is Peppers.

I'm fine with bringing in another backup safety to pair with Hawkins. But let's be clear. Our starting safeties are Dugger and Peppers.

 

[Zuma]

Competition is fine. Actually believing or depending on Hawkins to be the starting FS is nuts.

That’s what camp is for.

 

[captain stone]

How does adding to competition at any position hurt?

Schooler isn't competition.

 

[TheRainMaker]

Competition is fine. Actually believing or depending on Hawkins to be the starting FS is nuts.

Schooler isn't competition.

This is what some of us where harping about last offseason with the OT situation. For some reason, the board has a bad habit of loving some random guys like the Vandalorian and the guy that was traded for Pierre Strong. That's not addressing the situation.

The year prior to that were the to LB's Mack Wilson and Raekwon McMillan.

Hawkins is just a body. That's it.

 

[Zuma]

For some reason, the board has a bad habit of hating some random guys…

FIFY. Let the hate flow through you…it’s the same difference.

Hawkins has started 25 out of 58 games in his NFL career (he will be 27 this year). He’s had a pedestrian 10 pass deflections and 4 int’s between years 2021 and 2022. I agree these numbers are far from pro bowl caliber and at this moment we do not have much competition at the FS position for camp. Perhaps that will change.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

As was the case in our 2023 top 10 Defense, our starting free safety is Peppers.

I'm fine with bringing in another backup safety to pair with Hawkins. But let's be clear. Our starting safeties are Dugger and Peppers.

But let's be clear. Our starting safeties are Duggar, Peppers, and Mapu.

 

[Zuma]

But let's be clear. Our starting safeties are Duggar, Peppers, and Mapu.

How you get into Patriots OTA’s, minicamps and training camps each year I’ll never know. We appreciate your updates Keep on keeping’ on.

 

[Gumby]

Love these quotes (from a guy who knows -& is about the goat _coach).

„When I came here I actually learned how to play football on a different level.”
….
’ But something in my spirit just made me sign with the Patriots. I just knew after talking to Coach Belichick and Scott Pioli, I mean I just knew that this was the place for me.”

“When I came here, they gave me a clean slate," he added. "They said ‘Rodney, just go play football.’ That’s what Coach Belichick said. ‘Go play football. Be a leader. Be who you are.’ And that’s why I love him to this day. ... He allowed me to be me.”

 

[Real fan 02]

Love these quotes (from a guy who knows -& is about the goat _coach).

Love it. Rodney a late round draft selection himself could always relate to Brady. Rodney was just one of those generational players that was so seld motivated.. Peppers game remind me so much of Rodney. Love the guy. It's an absolute shame on the NFL that he isn't in the HOF currently.

 

[Real fan 02]

How you get into Patriots OTA’s, minicamps and training camps each year I’ll never know. We appreciate your updates Keep on keeping’ on.

Agreed. I wouldn't even call Mapu a S. I believe Mapu will be playing uo around the LOS more this year where he's more impactful.

 

[Wozzy]

Agreed. I wouldn't even call Mapu a S. I believe Mapu will be playing uo around the LOS more this year where he's more impactful.

If Mapu put on weight and makes the next step in his development I agree, I’d call him a weak side linebacker. That being said if he shows up ready to play it should take some responsibilities and snaps off the strong safeties plate.

 

[Real fan 02]

D

If Mapu put on weight and makes the next step in his development I agree, I’d call him a weak side linebacker. That being said if he shows up ready to play it should take some responsibilities and snaps off the strong safeties plate.

Definitely. I like mapu. He like much of the young guys got better last season. I'm always a big proponent of letting guys play. That is the only way you get better and get real game time reps. Peppers and Dugger are excellent 6-7 yards around the LOS.. mapu has excel speed and close up abilities.. he's good to have to running QBs and RBs out the backfield.

 

[captain stone]

But let's be clear. Our starting safeties are Duggar, Peppers, and Mapu.

Let's be even clearer: Marty McPoo is Not a Safety; he's a Midfielder defending the Flats where RBs & TEs roam.

 

[Real fan 02]

Agreed. I wouldn't even call Mapu a S. I believe Mapu will be playing uo around the LOS more this year where he's more impactful.

@captain stone ideally you want 6"0 CBs on the outside. Gonzo even held his own against who I believe is the best WR in the league in tyreek. Austin is 6"1.. I couldn't stand when BB used to employ dwarf CBs on the outside dennard, Arrington, Hobbs, for example.. they weren't bad players just slot CBs playing out of position.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Let's be even clearer: Marty McPoo is Not a Safety; he's a Midfielder defending the Flats where RBs & TEs roam.

Safties play in the mid-field. Defensive players under 220 lbs. are secondary players. Do you think Mapu is a DB or a safety? Mapu is not on the DL or a LB. A Midfielder is a soccer position, not a position in American football.

 

[captain stone]

@captain stone ideally you want 6"0 CBs on the outside. Gonzo even held his own against who I believe is the best WR in the league in tyreek. Austin is 6"1.. I couldn't stand when BB used to employ dwarf CBs on the outside Dennard, Arrington, Hobbs for example.. they weren't bad players just slot CBs playing out of position.

Don't forget lil' Terry Wheatley, the most fragile of the bunch.

 

[Real fan 02]

Don't forget lil' Terry Wheatley, the most fragile of the bunch.

Funny u mentioned.. I once met Wheatley in a market basket.. at the deli.. he was telling me that the defense was so complex to run and that Mayo and Vince were the main ones who helped him out.