Open Questions About the Defensive Backfield

[DaBruinz]

There are some problems with your answers:

In answer to your questions,

1) No there is only one worthy, Landry. I am not persuaded by either Reavis or Nelson either. One is slow, and the other undersized. We already have paid Samuels. A long term signing reduces his cap hit.

Revis is a cornerback. He's 6' and 204 lbs. Not sure how fast he is because he's not run the 40 yet. Nelson is 6'0 and 198 lbs and ran a 4.48 at the combine and a 4.35 at his Pro-day to go alont with his 6.67 3 cone and his 4.15 shuttle.

How is being 6' and nearly 200 lbs undersized?

2) You keep forgetting Randy Gay. He demonstrated in the Super bowl run with the Panthers, that he is a starting caliber player. Yes, he has been hurt with injuries but none are debilitating, career threatening type injuries. Just unlucky ones.

To me there is little difference in the secondary players available in the late first or the 3rd round, so I don't see the urgency to spend first rounders there. People forget how deep we are there due to the extraordinary concentration of injures in the secondary.

That's just it. The Pats aren't that deep because of their injuries to the secondary. They keep having to field guys like Wilson, Sanders, and Hobbs well before they are ready. The Pats have been LUCKY that those players have had the talent to step up. But, the last 2 years, that talent has been severely tested.

 

[Remix 6]

Shouldn't we pay the big bucks to Samuel and then use the 1sts elsewhere.

1) Other than Landry, is any safety really worth a 1st? Won't there be talent available in the 3rd and 4th?

2) How critical is corner if we have Samuel and Hobbs locked up long term? We could simply extend Scott, sign Mickens and then consider a developmental pick in the 3rd or 4th.

3) Are we indeed set OK at safety for 2007 withs, Wilson, Sanders, Harrison, Hawkins and Mitchell. We could extend Hawkins and pick a developmental safety in the 3rd or 4th.

SUMMARY

CB: Samuel, Hobbs, Scott, Gay/Mickens, draftee
S : Wilson, Sanders, Harrison, Hawkins, Mitchell, Andrews, draftee

1. Yes, theres 2 others deserving of round 1 + a borderline 1st/2nd(actually maybe 2 borderliners)

2. CB isnt as important as safety but we can use some "young depth" incase injuries and if we cant sign Samuel long term or if Hobbs walks in a few years

3. No we are not set at safety. Harrison is close to retirement, Wilson has been hurting lately and is in contract year. Sanders is a good candidate to start in future but hes more of a run stopper than a coverage guy(wont be a playmaker). Hawkins is not a good starter imo..hes servicable and good at times but hes slow and hes not a young pup either. Mitchell came as a STer and doesnt have starting experience really so we cant expect much. A young safety who can make plays and start off as part of nickel would be great and then eventually take over for Wilson(contract) or Harrison(age)

btw: Revis ran a 4.38 and 4.40. Hes not slow..hes not ablazer on the field but he has very good footwork which is usually how players get beat..poor footwork instead of speed

 

[VJCPatriot]

I agree with your assessment. I would add a QB to the mix and note that we should be talking about the top five picks (including our 4th round compensatory pick).

Huh? Since when did Brady get his arm amputated? And far as I know Cassell was also looking good. I could see a QB in the second day but not the first. The Pats will probably just pick up a vet QB for backup purposes anyways meaning the rookie QB would be cut. I was with you about drafting secondary till you turned to QB?

 

[mgteich]

No one suggested a 1st Day Qb. We have been discussing the first four rounds, the first five picks. Round 4 is on Day Two. I expect us to consider a QB in the 4th. Cassell is an RFA next year.

Huh? Since when did Brady get his arm amputated? And far as I know Cassell was also looking good. I could see a QB in the second day but not the first. The Pats will probably just pick up a vet QB for backup purposes anyways meaning the rookie QB would be cut. I was with you about drafting secondary till you turned to QB?