Ellis Hobbs: heart of a lion

[VrabelMayeWin]

This thread has been up for three hours..............maybe we should have a squad car sent to his house?

Nah, let's leave well enough alone

We almost lost Hobbs on draft day, btw, when the Browns picked with the 3rd pick of the 3rd round he was their highest rated player - but they wanted to get a QB so they reached down their board a little to take Charlie Frye. We got Hobbs 17 picks later.

 

[unoriginal]

I love learning this kind of information.

Off-topic thread wise, but I remember hearing that if we hadn't taken Mankins at 32 that year, SF was going to take him at 33? Instead they had to settle for David Baas.

 

[spacecrime]

I think the impatience is with the injuries.Like it or not the Pats have to start finding players that can somehow stay on the field.

What do you mean? Hobbs stayed on the field.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

He'll be around soon enough, I'm sure. Other than McDaniels, Hobbs is his pet project

I'm a huge Hobbs supporter. The guy is a Patriots type player that battles continuously and won't back down.

I thought Marquise Hill was a pet project. Hopefully he sees the field some next season.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

I thought Marquise Hill was a pet project. Hopefully he sees the field some next season.

I wasn't referring to the Patriots regarding whose pet project Hobbs is

Anyway, the years come and go with Hill and nothing seems to change. He's done or shown something to stay on the team but no more. I'll believe he's contribute around the same time I expect we'll see Belichick draft a LB in round one.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

I wasn't referring to the Patriots regarding whose pet project Hobbs is

Anyway, the years come and go with Hill and nothing seems to change. He's done or shown something to stay on the team but no more. I'll believe he's contribute around the same time I expect we'll see Belichick draft a LB in round one.

oh, gotcha, BB and NEM are one in the same

 

[ATippett56]

I wasn't referring to the Patriots regarding whose pet project Hobbs is

Well, it didn't take long ................

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

I, too, think Hobbs has the heart of a lion, and is one hell of a gutsy little player. And, a keeper. And he WILL be kept, but at the nickel positon next season. Te Pats will go to FA, or the draft, and pick up 1 or 2 corners to play opposite Samuel, if he is here.

I have nothing against Hobbs. He is one of the hardest workers on the team and he plays hard, never quits. He is just not, IMO, a starting corner, and he is much better suited to the nickel position.

At the nickel, he doesnt have to go one on one with taller receivers who know where THEY are going, and Hobbs doesnt, and consequently, his back is to the play very often, as we have seen, and he loses coverage on his man. And, his height is a definite disadvantager when a WR makes a quick slant inside. That route is hard enough for a taller, and more experienced CB to cover, let alone a smaller one, who is behind the receiver on slant passes.

At the nickel, he will be face forward, for the most part, watching the slot man, and watching the quarterback's eyes...and he has great recovery and in that matter he can see the direction of the play, move forward on it, and with his leaping ability, make a play.

So, let me repeat this..I have nothing against Hobbs. In fact, I like him, and what he brings to the team, especially as a KO return man...but I still dont believe he will make it as a starting CB. We will see come September.

I disagree, he's starting material.

 

[ATippett56]

I have nothing against Hobbs. He is one of the hardest workers on the team and he plays hard, never quits. He is just not, IMO, a starting corner, and he is much better suited to the nickel position.

It's being hit over the head lessons in here.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

And, if we all agreed on everything, it would be a boring world.

I really believe the Pats will go looking for another starting corner as one of their priorities,with the thought of moving Hobbs to the nickel.

It, also, keeps him fresher if he has to do KO returns.

Hobbs, IMO, can be an outstanding nickel back, where he can see the play in front of him, and react.

At the corner, he is beaten often and his back is to the play too many times, and that not only is a problem giving up receptions, but also PI.

Good point on disagreeing. I will say if the Pats signed Asante and drafted a quality cb too groom behind Hobbs, I would not be opposed to moving Hobbs to nickle. BUT I'm looking at it as upgrading other positions with those draft picks or money and Hobbs would be sufficient right now because he steps up to the challenge.

 

[ATippett56]

I will say if the Pats signed Asante and drafted a quality cb too groom behind Hobbs, I would not be opposed to moving Hobbs to nickle.

The Patriots need to draft a quality cornerback to play nickel. Randall Gay has been injury prone the last two seasons and you have to question his durability.

 

[ATippett56]

Not sure I comprendo the meaning of that statement. Please elaborate for us slow minded, senile, crotchety, aged, over the hill, decrepit, seniors.

British humor .......................................

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwEwLDR61bo&mode=related&search=

 

[PATRIOTS-80]

Not sure I comprendo the meaning of that statement. Please elaborate for us slow minded, senile, crotchety, aged, over the hill, decrepit, seniors.

Its from Monty Python: the argument clinic. Ray Clay posted a video link of it under Andy Johnson's "I want to have a vote."

 

[ATippett56]

I didnt realize that the British had any humor, at all.

At times, I wonder the same about you.

 

[ATippett56]

pick one up in FA

I seriously doubt the New England Patriots will overpay for a cornerback in free agency, especially one who plays nickel cornerback. As for Chad Scott, it's time to put that old horse to pasture.

 

[PATRIOTS-80]

I seriously doubt the New England Patriots will overpay for a cornerback in free agency, especially one who plays nickel cornerback. As for Chad Scott, it's time to put that old horse to pasture.

The only 2 starting CB I believe in FA is Samuel and Clement. And of course, we are going to franchise Samuel.

 

[ATippett56]

The only 2 starting CB I believe in FA is Samuel and Clement. And of course, we are going to franchise Samuel.

Aside from those two, rest are trash when you factor in the cost.

 

[PATRIOTS-80]

Aside from those two, rest are trash when you factor in the cost.

I'd rather have Josh Wilson in the draft. He's a great ball-hawk, good vertical leap, and he KRs. He's 5'9.

 

[ATippett56]

I'd rather have Josh Wilson in the draft. He's a great ball-hawk, good vertical leap, and he KRs. He's 5'9.

Name: Josh Wilson
College: Maryland Number: 4
Height: 5-09 Weight: 188
Position: CB Pos2:
Class/Draft Year: Sr/2007
40 Time: 4.28 40 Low: 4.22 40 High: 4.32
Projected Round: 2 Stock:
Rated number 7 out of 219 CB's 49 / 2341 TOTAL

Analysis

Positives: Shorter than you'd like. Well-built athlete with good overall definition. Rare timed speed. Rare physicality and toughness at the position. Reads the action well and is usually in good position to make a play on the ball. A competitor and won't back down to bigger wideouts. Adjusts well to the ball and is a good leaper, able to break up the pass at its highest point. Father, the late Tim Wilson, was fullback during Earl Campbell era for Houston. Takes his academics seriously. Has earned academic honors each of the past two seasons while majoring in business administration. Has had some of his best games against top competition, leading some to believe he'll be an even better pro than collegiate player. Obvious upside.

Negatives: More fast than quick. Doesn't have the instant acceleration out of his breaks that one might anticipate with his speed and size. A little stiff in the hips. Lack of size a concern against 6-0+ receivers so popular in today's NFL passing game. Likes to intimidate with his big hitting, but sometimes fails to wrap up.

 

[PATRIOTS-80]

Name: Josh Wilson
College: Maryland Number: 4
Height: 5-09 Weight: 188
Position: CB Pos2:
Class/Draft Year: Sr/2007
40 Time: 4.28 40 Low: 4.22 40 High: 4.32
Projected Round: 2 Stock:
Rated number 7 out of 219 CB's 49 / 2341 TOTAL

Analysis

Positives: Shorter than you'd like. Well-built athlete with good overall definition. Rare timed speed. Rare physicality and toughness at the position. Reads the action well and is usually in good position to make a play on the ball. A competitor and won't back down to bigger wideouts. Adjusts well to the ball and is a good leaper, able to break up the pass at its highest point. Father, the late Tim Wilson, was fullback during Earl Campbell era for Houston. Takes his academics seriously. Has earned academic honors each of the past two seasons while majoring in business administration. Has had some of his best games against top competition, leading some to believe he'll be an even better pro than collegiate player. Obvious upside.

Negatives: More fast than quick. Doesn't have the instant acceleration out of his breaks that one might anticipate with his speed and size. A little stiff in the hips. Lack of size a concern against 6-0+ receivers so popular in today's NFL passing game. Likes to intimidate with his big hitting, but sometimes fails to wrap up.

I watched him in the Senior Bowl, he's good. (I am a draftnic ). I saw him he outleaped the WR and bat the football down ala Ellis Hobbs style. Good football lines. The guy is unbelievable quick, one of the fastest CBs on the field.

http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/cb/joshwilson.html

from NFL Draftcountdown

Strengths:
Has phenomenal speed...A tremendous natural athlete with excellent quickness, agility and leaping ability...Tough and physical guy who plays a lot bigger than he is and will help against the run...Smart with good instincts...Hips are fluid and he can turn and run with anyone...Is also a terrific return man...Has good bloodlines.

Weaknesses:
Does not have the height you look for...Does not have great hands and while he gets to a lot of balls he doesn't rack up many interceptions...Is only an average tackler...Can get out-muscled by bigger receivers and blockers...Still needs a little technique work, especially with his backpedal...Is he going to hold up physically?

Notes:
One of the fastest players in the draft, regardless of position...Also ran sprints for the Terps track team...His father was a fullback at Maryland and the blocking back for NFL Hall of Famer Earl Campbell in Houston...A true football player and not just a track star in pads...Had an outstanding senior year and his stock is on the rise but in terms of the NFL Draft he will probably be held back by his lack of ideal size.