Could 9 DBs + Slater suffice?

[jah]

Not to mention the fact that BB went out of his way to STEAL him from Denver, when they tried to slip him through waivers to the IR in preseason!!! Mcdaniels connection also.

Yeah, they STOLE him from Denver, gave him a chance to be the starter, and he was almost as bad as Sergio in addition to proving once again that he is made of glass.

And what the hell does an offensive coordinator have to do with a safety?

 

[supafly]

Suppose the DBs are:

CB
McCourty
Dowling
Arrington
Moore

S
Chung
Gregory
Wilson
Barrett
Allen

Ebner to the PS. Ditto Dennard if he makes it through. Ventrone again if one of those doesn't.

Could that be enough? Arguments for No include:

• Just about everybody on that list is a clear risk for injury, non-performance, or both. (Arrington may be the solitary exception, although of course everybody can get hurt.)
• There are sets with 6 DBs. So it would be nice to have 8 active for game days; 7 is pretty much the minimum.

Still, I have trouble thinking of another DB to put on the roster who would be as good as many of the others cut at other positions to open up his spot.

I think that there is a distinct possibility that we only keep 9 DB's (+ Slater), but I would have it the other way around.

Definitely 5 CB's and 4 safeties. I would personally exchange Dennard for Barrett if it came down to it.

With the ability of some/many of these guys to play both of the secondary positions, I think that we could easily move one of the CB's to S if it came down to it. Vice Versa for moving a safety over to corner too (like Allen, Gregory, or even Wilson in a worst case scenario).

I also don't think there is any way that A.Dennard makes it to the practice squad.

We just can't keep 4 true CB's due to the fact that we will likely see 4 CB's all on the field at once at times. There needs to be a 5th one for injuries and depth for sure.

 

[RayClay]

Could 9 DBs + Slater suffice?

The +Slater part is pretty much the definition of a non sequitur.

 

[Avenger]

CB: Dowling, McCourty, Dennard, Arrington, Moore
S: Chung, Gregory, Wilson, Ebner

The 4th safety is usually a special teamer, why not put a stud ST developmental S there?

 

[Fencer]

But here's the thing- what are the odds we'd be kicking ourselves by letting Josh Barrett or Will Allen go??

If we keep only 8 DBs who are ready to play, and they include such injury magnets as Chung and Dowling, the chance that we'll regret the choice is distressingly high.

The premise of this thread is to ask whether even 9 DBs who are ready to play would be enough.

 

[Fencer]

The +Slater part is pretty much the definition of a non sequitur.

?

I erred in not mentioning Edelman over him, but at some point on the depth chart Slater is an emergency dime back.

 

[mayoclinic]

Didn't know where to put this, but this seems as good a place as any. From Bedard today:

Nate Ebner was thought to be an afterthought when he was drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round. Even he was surprised to get drafted, especially given most of his play had been on a rugby field. But the Patriots apparently like what they see because he is all over the special teams units, and he’s in the mix at the backup safety spot. He also took over for Tavon Wilson at the “money” position (a linebacker/defensive back hybrid) in sub packages. It would be a surprise if Ebner doesn’t make this team.

Practice rundown #17 - Extra Points - Boston.com

Wow. I'd be thrilled to see Ebner develop and knock Josh Barrett off the roster. A safety rotation of Chung/Gregory/Wilson/Ebner would have a lot of athleticism, versatility and upside.

 

[patsinthesnow]

Didn't know where to put this, but this seems as good a place as any. From Bedard today:



Practice rundown #17 - Extra Points - Boston.com

Wow. I'd be thrilled to see Ebner develop and knock Josh Barrett off the roster. A safety rotation of Chung/Gregory/Wilson/Ebner would have a lot of athleticism, versatility and upside.

I really hope Ebner makes the team, he's my binky. He has the two qualities that a good safety needs, athleticism and intangibles. Unfortunately, he's learning to play a sport for the first time, at the pro level! That's why I find it amazing he's getting good playing time in camp and even made a play.

Pats mediocre/bad safeties over the years:

Meriweather-Low Intangibles
Sanders-Low Athleticism
Ihedigbo-No Athleticism
Brown- No Intangibles (the most clueless safety I've seen on a football field)
Barrett-No Intangibles

 

[BradyFTW!]

I can call him a zoobersnuiut, but it's not going to change the fact that Allen's been playing safety.

I just Googled this word to see if it actually exists or if you made it up on the spot for the sake of the point that you're making:

https://www.google.com/search?q=zoobersnuiut&sugexp=chrome,mod=0&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Congratulations on inventing a word.

 

[BradyFTW!]

Didn't know where to put this, but this seems as good a place as any. From Bedard today:



Practice rundown #17 - Extra Points - Boston.com

Wow. I'd be thrilled to see Ebner develop and knock Josh Barrett off the roster. A safety rotation of Chung/Gregory/Wilson/Ebner would have a lot of athleticism, versatility and upside.

I think Barrett sucks, so if Ebner takes his roster spot, then that's plenty fine with me. I'd kinda be surprised if he doesn't, since, again, Barrett sucks. If he shows even flashes of competence, he has to be the odds-on favorite. The real question, IMO, is if he can beat out Ihedigbo (I sure hope he can).

 

[PatsBoy12]

I think Barrett sucks, so if Ebner takes his roster spot, then that's plenty fine with me. I'd kinda be surprised if he doesn't, since, again, Barrett sucks. If he shows even flashes of competence, he has to be the odds-on favorite. The real question, IMO, is if he can beat out Ihedigbo (I sure hope he can).

If things continue as the reports have been suggesting the past few days, then I don't think Ebner will have a problem beating out either of the players you mentioned. They've both been banged up/ineffective. Ebner, from what I read, is making plays all over the field and has flashed impressive ball skills. If the final roster was announced today, he'd be on it.

 

[Deus Irae]

I just Googled this word to see if it actually exists or if you made it up on the spot for the sake of the point that you're making:

https://www.google.com/search?q=zoobersnuiut&sugexp=chrome,mod=0&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Congratulations on inventing a word.

Thanks. It's too bad Mr. Geisel has passed on. I might have been able to make some money off of it. It seems like something that might have fit in one of his stories.

 

[mayoclinic]

CB: Dowling, McCourty, Dennard, Arrington, Moore
S: Chung, Gregory, Wilson, Ebner

The 4th safety is usually a special teamer, why not put a stud ST developmental S there?

That's my preferred 9, too. And given the reports on Ebner, he could be more than just a "ST stud / developmental S".

 

[Avenger]

That's my preferred 9, too. And given the reports on Ebner, he could be more than just a "ST stud / developmental S".

He certainly is developing fast, his drafting was definably a planet theory pick.

 

[Off The Grid]

Wow. I'd be thrilled to see Ebner develop and knock Josh Barrett off the roster.

I must say: Your relentless desire to see the last of Josh Barrett is fully warranted, Brother Mayo!!

 

[Off The Grid]

He certainly is developing fast, his drafting was definably a planet theory pick.

Please help me understand your statement.

 

[mayoclinic]

I really hope Ebner makes the team, he's my binky. He has the two qualities that a good safety needs, athleticism and intangibles. Unfortunately, he's learning to play a sport for the first time, at the pro level! That's why I find it amazing he's getting good playing time in camp and even made a play.

Pats mediocre/bad safeties over the years:

Meriweather-Low Intangibles
Sanders-Low Athleticism
Ihedigbo-No Athleticism
Brown- No Intangibles (the most clueless safety I've seen on a football field)
Barrett-No Intangibles

Field Yates echoes Bedard's praise of Ebner today:

Ebner impressing. Hard not to notice rookie safety Nate Ebner, sort of the unknown from the Patriots' draft class. Billed as a special teams stud, Ebner has caught my attention on the defensive side of the ball too. He broke up a pass and snuffed out a reverse. He has impressive ball skills and a quick trigger in his movements.

Camp Observations: Day 22 - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

For a newbie, Ebner seems to making awefully quick progress. He's showing good instincts, awareness and ball skills to go with his insane motor and athleticism.

 

[Avenger]

Please help me understand your statement.

Planet theory is that there are a finite number of great athletes on the planet, you take one even of he isn't as polished because he has great potential.

 

[fester]

Please help me understand your statement.

re: Planet theory draft pick ---

A Parcells term for defensive linemen --- There are only so many guys who are 6'2 or greater, 300lbs or greater with any athletic ability on this planet, so when one is available, draft them, as they can learn how to play with their physical gifts... Devin Wyman is a good example of a Parcells' Planet Theory pick, Marquise Hill is a Belicheck Planet Theory pick

In this context, Avenger is saying that there are only so many 6'0 200lb+ guys who can run a 4.5 40 or better with sick agility skills and a nose for tackling on this planet, so if one can be cheaply acquired, other, more easily teachable skills can be taught to build on the raw physical skills.

Guide to N.F.L. Defenses, Part 4: The 3-4 Front - NYTimes.com Has a good explanation as well

 

[Off The Grid]

Uh...Thanks, Gents.

I've actually been perfectly aware of Planet Theory since, like...forever.

Planet Theory was applied quite clearly and explicitly to Grizzlies.

I was asking you ~ Avenger ~ to explain how in @#$% that applies to Brother Nate Ebner, a D Back.

Even so: Your Argument was quite exquisitely presented, Brother Fester. I thank you.