Reiss feels the Pats covet Tye Hill

[Jacky Roberts]

Hearing BB glow about all the LBs in the draft makes me think he has no plan on taking one of them. He's the master of deception. Tye Hill is a good player, but I doubt they look at him. I wasn't too high on Cromartie this year, to be honest. I think the Pats should do what they can to get in the top ten and try and get Hawk. He has Patriot written all over him.

 

[JoeSixPat]

One of Mike's reasons for drafting Hill (or any DB) is that Samuel's contract is up after this season. BB even said in yesterday's press conference that contract status doesn't play a role in drafting. As he put it, any player could get hurt any week. You just can't draft like that.

CBs represent great draft value for me, given what quality CBs command in the open market. A 1st round draft choice CB who plays like a first round draft choice should will allow you to save a good amount of cap space compared to paying a quality free agent.

As far as BB's comments, he says a lot of things about his draft plans - I believe all of them and none of them.

For example - the notion that you don't draft based on need or contract status because anyone can be injured....

No, you don't draft based solely on need - but it is a factor - or do we really think that BB is going to take Jay Cutler if he slides to #21?

Current need, future need, fit for the system, best player available, depth of draft at that position, are all part of an equation. Do people think we won't draft a kicker or LB in this draft? Of course we will - because we have a need at those positions.

So ultimately when it comes to BB discussing his draft strategy, I take it all with a big grain of salt.

 

[bucky]

Why do the Pats have to "covet" somebody? They just set up their draft board and see how the draft plays out. I seriously doubt that there's any 1 DB outside Huff who's head and shoulders above everybody else.

With regard position, I think they'll draft a CO, but I really doubt they do it in round 1 because in addition to Samuel, Gay, Hobbs, Scott, Poteat and Warfield, they also have 2 starters at safety who are really CBs. If Rodney comes back - even half way through the season - that allows Hawkins to switch to a Nickel back role. Or it could even allow Wilson to start at CB, if they needed it.

 

[bakes781]

There are several names just now being mentioned as 1st round prospects at DB. Allen, Whitner & Jennings to name a few. This could be a smoke screen to get the LBs to fall out of the 1st round, but regardless Tye Hill has been rated a 1st rounder all along. He is a shut down corner & BB historically values CBs very highly.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

BB historically values CBs very highly.

For all the talk about LB, the highest Belichick has drafted a CB (in NE) is Hobbs in the 3rd round. Admittedly he did take Antonio Langham in the first in Cleveland.

I like to remind myself : Front to Back, Inside to out. That's how Belichick seems to like to draft. With front being the lines and back being the DBs and WR. RB and LB in between.

 

[Handel]

We could use our first and one of our third to trade up a little bit (17th or 18th spots). Cromartie could be available there.

 

[mgteich]

I think is quite possible if we don't sign a corner in the next week.

We could use our first and one of our third to trade up a little bit (17th or 18th spots). Cromartie could be available there.

 

[bakes781]

I don't see us trading up in the 1st round for the simple fact that we have more holes than in previous year's.

 

[Mike the Brit]

I think is quite possible if we don't sign a corner in the next week.

"Quite possible", yes -- but the case for drafting a corner in the first round looked stronger in past years and we didn't. So if we do this year, I, for one, will be surprised.

(Positions of first round draft picked, ranked in order of surprisingness to MTB:

1. QB.
2. DL (except DE taken as future LB)
3. TE.
4. OL.
5. S.
6. WR
7. CB
8. RB
9. LB)

 

[bakes781]

I sure hope we don't pull an Al Davis & take a K with the 1st pick! lol

 

[Remix 6]

I like Whitner too..a leader on the field..versatile player who can hit and tackle well

 

[Mike the Brit]

I sure hope we don't pull an Al Davis & take a K with the 1st pick! lol

In that case, I think that Bostonian1962 might have to make with the sample bottle!

 

[PatsFanInVa]

What do you mean 4.6 time? Cromartie can FLY! He was in the high 4.3's even after his surgery, if I'm not mistaken.

You are mistaken, or else Gil Brandt is. The good news is, so am I. (rounding up from 4.51 to 4.6... oops.)

From Brandt on NFL.com:

Top 5 Cornerbacks
Rank Player School Height Weight 40-yard dash
1 Michael Huff Texas 6-0 204 4.39
2 Jimmy Williams Virginia Tech 6-2 3/8 213 4.48
3 Jonathan Joseph South Carolina 5-11 193 4.38
4 Antonio Cromartie Florida State 6-2 1/8 208 4.51
5 Tye Hill Clemson 5-9 5/8 185 4.35

But 40 times just pack a lot of press oomph, from what I can tell. The fastest guy in the world can't shut down his computer if he doesn't have the instincts.

That said... mmmmmm, 4.35... coachable... hard worker.... (or) mmmmm, 4.51, great hands, tackles and hits...

(I know I know, I'm the only one here that likes corners to whack the guy when a catch is made...)

PFnV

 

[mavfan2390]

Antonio Cromartie Florida State 6-2 1/8 208 4.51

SI's draft guide has him at 4.37....who knows?

I stand by my comment that when you're looking at the leagues elite players in five years, you're looking at....

Reggie Bush as the best offensive player, and Antonio Cromartie and the best defensive player