Capers already making his mark in the secondary

[pats1]

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2008/05/04/capers_serious_on_instruction/

Capers serious on instruction
Veteran coach working with Patriot secondary
By Mike Reiss Globe Staff / May 4, 2008

FOXBOROUGH - At one point in yesterday's Patriots rookie minicamp practice, assistant coach Dom Capers interrupted his drill with cornerbacks and safeties for some one-on-one instruction.

Capers pulled second-round draft choice Terrence Wheatley to the side and told him to look at his right foot. Capers then planted his right foot into the ground. Then he did it again. And again.

"I was stepping with the wrong foot," Wheatley later explained. "He was just trying to be very specific, which is how you have to be as a player at this level. You can't round anything out, you have to be very precise in your movement and your angles."

...

 

[FirstAndGoal]

I liked the Capers hire when it happened and I think Miami should have retained him. I think Miami made a mistake in hiring Pasqualoni (I should know lol ). I think the Tuna is going to be a fixture in Pasqualoni's office this year. I'm surprise the Tuna brought him over from Dallas.

 

[TheGodInAGreyHoodie]

I liked the Capers hire when it happened and I think Miami should have retained him. I think Miami made a mistake in hiring Pasqualoni (I should know lol ). I think the Tuna is going to be a fixture in Pasqualoni's office this year. I'm surprise the Tuna brought him over from Dallas.

Although Capers is a better DC than Pasqualoni, Parcells needed to clean house. And get rid of the entire Cam regime.

 

[IcyPatriot]

Capers will have Wheatly as the nickle back as a worse case scenario and as a starter with the best. Why do I think Wheatly will surpass Hobbs? I don't just think he will ... I am sure of it happening by seasons end the latest.

 

[Zeke_Mowatt]

Capers will have Wheatly as the nickle back as a worse case scenario and as a starter with the best. Why do I think Wheatly will surpass Hobbs? I don't just think he will ... I am sure of it happening by seasons end the latest.

I'd take that bet, my money is on him beating out a 30 y/o free agent veteran bryant, webster, etc before he beats out our young stud CB who played hurt much of last year. I don't believe our coaching staff is even a little down on Hobbs, but I've been wrong before and probably will be again, but they've shown enough confidence in him that I doubt he's out of the lineup unless he's hurt.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

I hope we can keep him more than one year but if not it'll be a year well worth it. With Wheatley, Willhite, Meriweather and even Hobbs and Sanders we have a lot of young talent in the secondary. It's fantastic to have such a veteran coach with them.

 

[tobias funke]

I don't think Ellis is in danger of losing his starting position.

Other teams are definitely in danger of facing a Patriots defense with 4 speed demons in the secondary on 3rd down, though.

 

[WhiZa]

Ellis will be starting every game this year. You don't take someone who has 3 years experience in the Pats system and replace him with first year guys. He would have to have a Earthwind type of year for that to happen.

 

[PittPatriot]

Ellis will be starting every game this year. You don't take someone who has 3 years experience in the Pats system and replace him with first year guys. He would have to have a Earthwind type of year for that to happen.

Plus, Hobbs should his marbles by playing hurt through the year. A torn labrum and sports hernia for a CB to play with is remarkable.

 

[Leave No Doubt]

I think Capers being brought in is one of the most interesting things to watch moving forward. Will it be a more aggressive secondary/D? By his track record, definitely. More man-to-man? Probably. Can't wait for training camp!

Agreed on all counts! Capers is exactly what the doctor ordered. I can't wait to see what he does with our secondary-I think they're going back to playing some good old smashmouth Capers was one of the best moves they made-if not the best, at least in the long run.

 

[reflexblue]

Capers will have Wheatly as the nickle back as a worse case scenario and as a starter with the best. Why do I think Wheatly will surpass Hobbs? I don't just think he will ... I am sure of it happening by seasons end the latest.

After watching Wheatly's work out I believe.

 

[fgssand]

I don't think Ellis is in danger of losing his starting position.

Other teams are definitely in danger of facing a Patriots defense with 4 speed demons in the secondary on 3rd down, though.

We sure did get a hell of a lot younger and faster on defense......filled holes at LB & secondary to go along with one of if not the best DL in football. Throw Capers into the mix and we can hope to see a Championship defense here once again.

 

[Joker]

I live in Charlestown, RI amidst the fog and sand...I agree 100%...Capers is just a part of the season of retribution...2008 The End Of Schlerethmania and the Onset Of Conan's Rules of what is best...

To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of the women! ...

 

[Julius]

bumped ahead of lie-gate