Player Signing Patriots expected to sign S John Saunders Jr

[n1997y]

Pretty good numbers, actually. The 10 yard split is considerably below average, but the time between the 20 and 40 yard data points show he's gaining ground and has pretty good long speed. He basically hits an average CB number (which is plenty fast for a safety) by the end. Based on his jumping numbers, he's fairly explosive, so I'm guessing he just didn't have the best training on how to start a sprint. Chances are that he's just as fast as the average 4.48 - 4.5 player. Good instincts > raw speed most of the time, as long as the player isn't super slow, since the difference between a 4.5 and 4.6 is basically a step or two. Moving in the right direction sooner than your competitor will make up that difference. Anyway, I think there's untapped athletic potential here in addition to the apparent instincts. We could do worse for the practice squad.

I'd still put safety as a major need next draft, but in season our options are limited.

Good observations. Playing speed matters more than combine sprint speed. Will be interesting to see what performance he delivers when he’s given opportunities to play. IIRC he did get some plays when he was called up by Miami so I’m assuming we had some looks at what his on-field performance was in those plays to inform the decision to sign him.

I’m really excited to see how Vrabel is stocking the player pipeline with moves like this and claiming Caleb Murphy. It seems to me it’s the player development equivalent of the Gretzky quote a former boss used to cite as his strategic advantage: “other players skate to where the puck is. I skate to where it’s going to be.” Signing players who are stars today is skating to where the puck is. Signing players who will be stars tomorrow or next season is skating to where the puck is going to be. It’s going to be fun watching those future stars emerge as they’re given their opportunities.

 

[DaBruinz]

Wondering if any of the Pundits have seen Saunders at Foxboro yet. Still nothing on the Patriots site or the NFL Transactions.

 

[FCB02062]

shine up the Lombardi

 

[turkeyneck]

shine up the Lombardi

Michael? Ewww...

 

[Zuma]

I read yesterday his 40 was 4.55 and Woodson's is 4.45. Picking a random FS....Duron Harmon was 4.51. Not much of a difference between them.

 

[mgteich]

I read yesterday his 40 was 4.55 and Woodson's is 4.45. Picking a random FS....Duron Harmon was 4.51. Not much of a difference between them.

I see nothing in this UDFA that says that he is anywhere near as good as Dugger. He may be a reasonable prospect. I see him lasting a few weeks and then we put him on our PS if no one wants him on their 53.

We need a #3 safety.

 

[Zuma]

I see nothing in this UDFA that says that he is anywhere near as good as Dugger.

I don't either....great point.

 

[mgteich]

I read yesterday his 40 was 4.55 and Woodson's is 4.45. Picking a random FS....Duron Harmon was 4.51. Not much of a difference between them.

Speed isn't the issue.

I haven't seen any draft analysis where Sauders was rated compared to Woodson. Was Saunders a 5th round prospect? a 6th round prospect?

He looks like a fine Practice Squad quality safety with good potential to be a future backup.

 

[Zuma]

Speed isn't the issue.

It's not an issue...I agree. Someone here mentioned he was slow-ish

I haven't seen any draft analysis where Sauders was rated compared to Woodson.

Yeah I haven't either. I was comparing speed.

Was Saunders a 5th round prospect? a 6th round prospect?

No not at all....he wasn't even drafted.

He looks like a fine Practice Squad quality safety with good potential to be a future backup.

Ok

These questions you are asking me....can easily be found with a Google search. Probably better to use that then keep bugging me for answers. BTW I am going to be unavailable a little bit later....so you might actually have to use Google or ask someone else here for facts / answers.

 

[dliverey44]

Pretty good numbers, actually. The 10 yard split is considerably below average, but the time between the 20 and 40 yard data points show he's gaining ground and has pretty good long speed. He basically hits an average CB number (which is plenty fast for a safety) by the end. Based on his jumping numbers, he's fairly explosive, so I'm guessing he just didn't have the best training on how to start a sprint. Chances are that he's just as fast as the average 4.48 - 4.5 player. Good instincts > raw speed most of the time, as long as the player isn't super slow, since the difference between a 4.5 and 4.6 is basically a step or two. Moving in the right direction sooner than your competitor will make up that difference. Anyway, I think there's untapped athletic potential here in addition to the apparent instincts. We could do worse for the practice squad.

I'd still put safety as a major need next draft, but in season our options are limited.

I am pretty sure he goes onto the 53 since we signed him off a PS

 

[mgteich]

It's not an issue...I agree. Someone here mentioned he was slow-ish

Yeah I haven't either. I was comparing speed.

No not at all....he wasn't even drafted.

Ok

These questions you are asking me....can easily be found with a Google search. Probably better to use that then keep bugging me for answers. BTW I am going to be unavailable a little bit later....so you might actually have to use Google or ask someone else here for facts / answers.

I ask those who I think have the knowledge and whose opinion I respect on a particular issue.

 

[Zuma]

I ask those who I think have the knowledge and whose opinion I respect on a particular issue.

I don't have "The Knowledge", I have bad opinions and really don't understand the game of football or life in general. You Sir on the other hand...a scholar and gentleman through and through

 

[DaBruinz]

I am pretty sure he goes onto the 53 since we signed him off a PS

If/when he's actually signed. It hasn't appeared on the Pats website as of yet. Nor in the NFL.com Transactions.

 

[rochrist]

Pretty good numbers, actually. The 10 yard split is considerably below average, but the time between the 20 and 40 yard data points show he's gaining ground and has pretty good long speed. He basically hits an average CB number (which is plenty fast for a safety) by the end. Based on his jumping numbers, he's fairly explosive, so I'm guessing he just didn't have the best training on how to start a sprint. Chances are that he's just as fast as the average 4.48 - 4.5 player. Good instincts > raw speed most of the time, as long as the player isn't super slow, since the difference between a 4.5 and 4.6 is basically a step or two. Moving in the right direction sooner than your competitor will make up that difference. Anyway, I think there's untapped athletic potential here in addition to the apparent instincts. We could do worse for the practice squad.

I'd still put safety as a major need next draft, but in season our options are limited.

HIs college results would seem to indicate good instincts.

 

[mgteich]

I would not be at all disappointed if this signing falls through.

 

[DaBruinz]

I would not be at all disappointed if this signing falls through.

Because you're evaluation of it is meaningless and baseless.

 

[Clonamery]

I would not be at all disappointed if this signing falls through.

We are surprised you didn't start a thread about your lack of disappointment if the signing falls through.

 

[mgteich]

We are surprised you didn't start a thread about your lack of disappointment if the signing falls through.

I like short 1-2 page threads on a focused single topic rather than digging in 10-30 page threads. So, yes, I do start well, well more than my share of threads.

 

[Sciz]

Wondering if any of the Pundits have seen Saunders at Foxboro yet. Still nothing on the Patriots site or the NFL Transactions.

They set up a locker for him, according to Reiss. Seems that the Dugger trade is not yet official, so the roster spot isn’t open yet.

 

[Clonamery]

I like short 1-2 page threads on a focused single topic rather than digging in 10-30 page threads. So, yes, I do start well, well more than my share of threads.

I like long threads about all the high-priced WRs we'll never sign/trade for.