Brace or Hobbs

[Brady-To-Branch]

Unberger was a major reach in the 4th. I don't think they were desperate for a 4th round pick so they could draft the incredible UDFA unberger. I think they just happened to draft him there and obviously had him higher than any other service in the league. I think both OT from the big 10 1st team went undrafted, and this little tiny guard gets drafted in the 4th?

Why was he a reach? Based on who's scouting reports? Kipers? Ourlads? What did they say about Vollner? Yet the Raiders wanted him. Their ridiculous demands for Burgess, which included Sebass, lead me to believe that they expected Vollner to fall to them at 71 and that they were mad that the Pats took him at 58.

The Pats have their own scouting services, their own system. That's why they traded up to 13th in 2003 for Ty Warren, a player listed as a borderline 1st rounder by many of the "services".

I think BB took a shine to him because he's an lacrosse player. Not smart letting personal emotions cloud judgement.

This is idiotic and laughable.

 

[Brady-To-Branch]

How was Hobbs a foregone conclusion when BB, himself, stated that leading up to the draft, they had no intentions of trading Hobbs and that it was only Philly approaching them with the offer that they did that convinced them to make the trade.

The fact that BB did pull the trade, makes his statement moot. BB will always look to improve his team. When you're 31st in passing TDs allowed, 23rd in defense passer rating, and 26th in 3rd down%, it was obvious that CB was in BB's crosshairs for bug fixing. Hobbs was part of the problem and based on his personality, he wouldn't have handled losing his starting spot well, especially in a contract year. For these reasons, I wasn't shocked by the trade. I was happy they got something for him.

This deal was good for both parties.

 

[DaBruinz]

The fact that BB did pull the trade, makes his statement moot. BB will always look to improve his team. When you're 31st in passing TDs allowed, 23rd in defense passer rating, and 26th in 3rd down%, it was obvious that CB was in BB's crosshairs for bug fixing. Hobbs was part of the problem and based on his personality, he wouldn't have handled losing his starting spot well, especially in a contract year. For these reasons, I wasn't shocked by the trade. I was happy they got something for him.

This deal was good for both parties.

It doesn't make his statement moot. His statement puts the trade into perspective. It also says that the people who claim they "KNEW" it was going to happen to be full of it because BB didn't know it was going to happen until it actually did.

As for Hobbs, I have no doubt that he'd have been given the chance to hold onto his job at the Right CB position. And I doubt that he'd have taken it badly if Bodden, Springs, Wheatley or Wilhite came in and just TOOK the job from him. It would have driven Hobbs to improve. That is the kind of attitude he has. He wants to win and do his best. He's a gamer who plays even when he's got a sports hernia and a shoulder injury.

It was obvious that the LBs and CBs both had issues. However, its debateable which issue was worse. What isn't debateable is that there was certainly more ammunition available at CB than at LB this off-season.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Well his service was the only one. The others had this guy Ornberger in the 500s or so as an UDFA. They were very clear about this. Marginal guy who gets minimal push in the run game. Too small, not really that athletic. What BB sees in him I don't know....but I don't see how he's any different than scores of other guys....my reference to the Big 10 OT iss that even their first team all big 10 tackles went undrafted, so it seems odd to say thte least that this tiny guard (guards are generally considered not as good athletes nor as valuable as tackles) got picked in the 4th when their big 10 tackles went undrafted.

Ornberger, Unberger, whatever. It won't matter after he gets cut and doesn't even make the practice squad.

LOL. I'm sure you've watched hours of film on Ohrnberger to come to this conclusion. Or Perhaps you just think BB doesn't do his homework. Either way this analysis of the draft based on unnamed 3rd party sources sounds clueless.

I was happy they got something for him.

This deal was good for both parties.

Seconded. Hobbs was nothing special and the Pats had a surplus at the position. Once Philly called and BB thought about it, he took a shine to the idea, particularly since they could also fill a hole in their draft at the same time.

 

[State]

The Pats have their own scouting services, their own system. That's why they traded up to 13th in 2003 for Ty Warren, a player listed as a borderline 1st rounder by many of the "services".

True, good point. The same can be said even more about Logan Mankins, whom many laughed at at the time.

But many of the on-line sources did have Ty Warren as a fast riser, breaking into the first round. His initial burst and size had him climbing rapidly.

I think the same thing can be said this year of Vollmer. Patchick on another entry, I think on Vollmer as LT on the main forum, laid out the numbers of him and first round choice Michael Oher. Wow! Numbers don't always lie. Vollmer beats Oher handily in every one.

Here it is: http://www.patsfans.com/new-england...94-vollmer-left-tackle-page2.html#post1404730

I think Vollmer will be to the OL what Warren is to the DL. A player who will make the Pro Bowl in three or four years and start his second year.

BTW, going back to the first page of this thread by DryHeat 44, look at the importance to this defense of the NT. Look at Alabama without Cody two years ago. They were ineffective.

Our defense works the same way. Without a two-gap monster hunkered down there, it ain't gonna work. Mike Wright isn't the answer there. Belichick acknowledged that and the fact that Wilfork's contract runs out after this year.

Ron Brace was a must-have this draft for two years from now.