The Secondary

[captain stone]

Should be Austin.

Austin.

I don't think that's good enough. Austin to me is a #4, tops, preferably a #5.

This could be a problem.

Myles Bryant is a FA.

That's why I voted for the group that included DJ James, a generally more highly-regarded prospect at his position from the '24 draft (Slot) than Dial was at his Outside position: I hope he sees the opportunity before him as Marcus Jones' backup, and seizes it.

Besides Austin, Marcus & James, I also voted for Epps - I don't know why he's lumped with Minkins, who should be in the bottom group and James removed from it and given his own appearance; Jaylinn Hawkins - though I won"t be shocked if the 5th Safety is Dell Heavy Pettus, especially if Marty McPoo, for whom I did Not vote because he's a Weak-side LB and Not a Safety, does indeed begin to play more up-close as he Should Be Doing; and Miles Battle, who has both the physical & athletic gifts one desires in an Outside CB... I also hope that he puts it all together this TC like James and relegates Both Dial & especially Bolden to the PS because I don't believe that Either of the latter two have Any future in the NFL as CBs.

 

[captain stone]

It's too bad, because he's 6'2, has the weight, and is very fast.

Same with Miles Battle, who also has Far superior agility than Bolden.

 

[captain stone]

Wonder if Battle might actually be the fastest guy on the team? 4.37 for the 40. Is anyone else apart from Campbell (4.38) under 4.4?
Edit: I see Henderson and Gibson are both 4.39

Gonzo too maybe.

EDIT: Nevermind, beaten to it.

 

[SlowGettingUp]

Cosell sees Woodson as a strong safety playing closer to the line - a downhill hitter and also good in quarters (which I suspect we will see a lot of):



Someone else compared him to Chung.

 

[JohnJH]

So he might well be the fastest guy on the team. I recall he played more towards the end of last season, but can't say I remember how he did. In college he was a good kick returner.

When I first saw his size and speed out of college, I had hoped he'd turn into one of those Top-End #2 Shutdown CB's, or at least be a Top 3 CB on our team. He may still be a gamer if he stays healthy and takes to coaching. I was at the preseason game at Lambeau when he was a Rookie and got carted off the field and they ended the game.

 

[JohnJH]

Same with Miles Battle, who also has Far superior agility than Bolden.

Well, Battle is 25 years old. So, if he's going to be a gamer, he'd better get to it soon!!!

 

[Wozzy]

Wonder if Battle might actually be the fastest guy on the team? 4.37 for the 40. Is anyone else apart from Campbell (4.38) under 4.4?
Edit: I see Henderson and Gibson are both 4.39

Gonzalez and Marcus Jones are also in that range.

 

[signbabybrady]

 

[JohnJH]

Gonzalez and Marcus Jones are also in that range.

The major knock that I have against Marcus Jones is his size. He's fast, quick, agile, and talented enough to dominate in the slot with those attributes. But his size is a problem and probably one of the reasons why he's gotten as injured as many times as he has. I would use him primarily as a KR/PR and emergency CB. But I would not count on him to be our #3 or 4 CB. His size is the reason why Vrabel might go in another direction and that when his 4 years are up, he probably won't be resigned. Although some other team will probably pay him. If Battle shows that he has the right stuff, he has not only the speed, quickness, and agility, but also has the size to play in the slot or any CB position. Battle also has the size to be a FS (or at least a backup to whoever ultimately is our #1 FS).

 

[signbabybrady]

The major knock that I have against Marcus Jones is his size. He's fast, quick, agile, and talented enough to dominate in the slot with those attributes. But his size is a problem and probably one of the reasons why he's gotten as injured as many times as he has. I would use him primarily as a KR/PR and emergency CB. But I would not count on him to be our #3 or 4 CB. His size is the reason why Vrabel might go in another direction and that when his 4 years are up, he probably won't be resigned. Although some other team will probably pay him. If Battle shows that he has the right stuff, he has not only the speed, quickness, and agility, but also has the size to play in the slot or any CB position. Battle also has the size to be a FS (or at least a backup to whoever ultimately is our #1 FS).

Vrabel hasn't really gone in that other direction. Is there any competition for Jones at nickel?

 

[TheRainMaker]

The major knock that I have against Marcus Jones is his size. He's fast, quick, agile, and talented enough to dominate in the slot with those attributes. But his size is a problem and probably one of the reasons why he's gotten as injured as many times as he has. I would use him primarily as a KR/PR and emergency CB. But I would not count on him to be our #3 or 4 CB. His size is the reason why Vrabel might go in another direction and that when his 4 years are up, he probably won't be resigned. Although some other team will probably pay him. If Battle shows that he has the right stuff, he has not only the speed, quickness, and agility, but also has the size to play in the slot or any CB position. Battle also has the size to be a FS (or at least a backup to whoever ultimately is our #1 FS).

He's a lot like Ellis Hobbs where he's good sticking with his man until it's time to fight for the ball. He's been getting bullied since day 1. In fact, the secondary was so bad in that department it forced Bill had to take a CB in the 1st round in 2023. I agree he should be strictly a special teams player where he was excelling and making plays. Him not returning one kick is another reason why Mayo is gone.

 

[mgteich]

Mg, why did you have Marcus Jones in the poll? He’s a lock starter, not a bubble player.

I didn't put a poll in the original post. Someone else added it with the mistake of Jones and of Minkins.

 

[mgteich]

Bryant would immediately be our #5 corner, backing up both outside and inside.

So, who would be the #5 corner if not Bryant?

I expect Vrabel to sign at least one more corner.

 

[JohnJH]

Vrabel hasn't really gone in that other direction. Is there any competition for Jones at nickel?

Hard to say at the moment. I suppose we won't really know until regular training camp has been in full swing.

 

[signbabybrady]

So, who would be the #5 corner if not Bryant?

I expect Vrabel to sign at least one more corner.

I think Bolden, Dial, and Austin are competing for the last 2 or 3 CB spots. I don't see the problem there I like all 3 as depth guys.

 

[Huckleberry1]

I didn't put a poll in the original post. Someone else added it with the mistake of Jones and of Minkins.

Aaaaahhhh, now I understand.

 

[Wozzy]

The major knock that I have against Marcus Jones is his size. He's fast, quick, agile, and talented enough to dominate in the slot with those attributes. But his size is a problem and probably one of the reasons why he's gotten as injured as many times as he has. I would use him primarily as a KR/PR and emergency CB. But I would not count on him to be our #3 or 4 CB. His size is the reason why Vrabel might go in another direction and that when his 4 years are up, he probably won't be resigned. Although some other team will probably pay him. If Battle shows that he has the right stuff, he has not only the speed, quickness, and agility, but also has the size to play in the slot or any CB position. Battle also has the size to be a FS (or at least a backup to whoever ultimately is our #1 FS).

There’s a tool for every job, BB didn’t use Gilmore to guard Tyreek. He used Jon Jones and his 4.3 speed. Smaller WR’s are better guarded with smaller more mobile CB’s. Marcus Jones in the slot is more often than not a matchup win for the Pats. If an opposing team uses a big WR in the slot they’d be better off playing someone else.

 

[palialka]

Who's our #3 Outside CB behind Gonzo & Carlton the Doorman? And who's our #2 Slot CB behind Marcus?

Austin is CB4…after that it’s a camp battle with Bolden, Dial, Minor etc..

 

[JohnJH]

There’s a tool for every job, BB didn’t use Gilmore to guard Tyreek. He used Jon Jones and his 4.3 speed. Smaller WR’s are better guarded with smaller more mobile CB’s. Marcus Jones in the slot is more often than not a matchup win for the Pats. If an opposing team uses a big WR in the slot they’d be better off playing someone else.

For certain match-ups, that makes perfect sense. But he's just not one of those CB's that can cover any opponent regardless of their size Slot CB.

 

[Wozzy]

For certain match-ups, that makes perfect sense. But he's just not one of those CB's that can cover any opponent regardless of their size Slot CB.

That flows both ways, I remember the Broncos trying to cover Jules with Aqub Talib. He was an All Pro CB, but too big and not mobile enough to cover Edelman… they wished they had another uber athletic small CB. There’s a tool for every job.