Reiss Thinks That We Still Need 2 Corners

[mgteich]

I tend to agree with Reiss that we still need 2 corners: a backup outside player, and a backup slot player. Clearly, he is not counting on Dowling or Williams for anything.

Clearly if McCourty is a corner, there is no issue at all at corner. Denard is the backup outside and Arrington is the backup in the slot.

Of course, if McCourty is a corner, then we need a safety.

 

[Ring 6]

I tend to agree with Reiss that we still need 2 corners: a backup outside player, and a backup slot player. Clearly, he is not counting on Dowling or Williams for anything.

Clearly if McCourty is a corner, there is no issue at all at corner. Denard is the backup outside and Arrington is the backup in the slot.

Of course, if McCourty is a corner, then we need a safety.

We typically carry 4 corners. We have Talib, Dennard, Arrington, Dowling. We will need someone if Dowling is not healthy, but a 5th is typically a special teams guy. Especially with McCourty able to easily shift over.

 

[Fencer]

Dowling's injury history is only a consideration until the 53 are set; if he stays healthy through the offseason I doubt the Pats will assume he's injury-prone going forward.

Dennard's sentencing is perhaps only an issue until he gets sentenced.

But this sure is one position where more competition would seem desirable.

 

[FoxboroFlyer]

Huff? Would he be a fit? I'm pretty sure he can play safety and corner if i'm not mistaken.

I know he was a promising db at one point in time....is there still hope, for him?

 

[Spergon Wynn]

I agree. I'd like a vet (preferably Nnamdi but that doesn't seem to be in the cards) and then draft one.

 

[mgteich]

We start with Talib, Dennard, Arrington, Dowling and Williams.

I agree that the 5th spot should be a special teamer (as Cole was last year). I think that we should bring in competition for both Dowling's spot and the ST spot. If the 5th CB is a "pure" STer, then Dowling would be expected to be the backup outside and inside back.

Given what you think of this group, I would think that 5 corners wouldn't be too many.

We typically carry 4 corners. We have Talib, Dennard, Arrington, Dowling. We will need someone if Dowling is not healthy, but a 5th is typically a special teams guy. Especially with McCourty able to easily shift over.

 

[FourierSeries]

I've been saying this too.

 

[VrabelJr]

A DT that can get deep is our highest priority on defense.

 

[VrabelJr]

Huff? Would he be a fit? I'm pretty sure he can play safety and corner if i'm not mistaken.

I know he was a promising db at one point in time....is there still hope, for him?

I was confused when the Raiders cut Huff but then I quickly remembered that Reggie McKenzie is their GM still.

 

[signbabybrady]

After Talib, Dennard, and Arrington I don't really think we have anything that can be counted on.

Good thing though is Safety seems pretty filled. And Tavon has already played a dime role and in a pinch we could use McCourty at Corner so there is some caked in depth.

I think we need two more bodies at corner but other than the draft I wouldn't think it would be a large investment. I would add a draft pick and a cheap vet and let them fight with Ras-IR and the STers for the last 2 spots.

 

[JMC00]

Huff? Would he be a fit? I'm pretty sure he can play safety and corner if i'm not mistaken.

I know he was a promising db at one point in time....is there still hope, for him?

You'd think Bill would have a guy that has that S/CB versatility in for a visit and kick the tires.

 

[FoxboroFlyer]

I was confused when the Raiders cut Huff but then I quickly remembered that Reggie McKenzie is their GM still.

Lol! Sometimes incompetency can be a good thing.

 

[PatsFanStnfrd]

In a year when the CB market was depressed, Pats should have gone aggressively after Sean Smith or Rodgers-Cromartie in addition to Talib. Their price was reasonable and -- you always upgrade your roster in a depressed market. Next year, when CB supply is more constrained and cap rises, everyone will be bemoaning the fact that the Pats have to pay top dollar to retain Talib or sign a replacement.

I am relieved we did retain Talib for at least this year at less than half his franchise tag price. In guaging the market today, the Pats did a good job.

One last point. NE entered this offseason knowing it needed to strengthen its CB corps. So far, at best, its status quo.

 

[Schmo]

1) What happened to Marquise Cole? Did he take off? He wasn't a bad option for the nickle.
2) Ebner's gonna be the next Rodney Harrison. (I'm pretty sure no one has ever said that, so I'm gonna take the chance at looking like a genius.)

 

[letekro]

You'd think Bill would have a guy that has that S/CB versatility in for a visit and kick the tires.

No need. The Honey Badger cometh.

 

[strngplyr]

A 5'9" 180lb guy has S/CB versatility?

I'm sorry but this guy is going to bomb hard at the pro-level.

 

[everlong]

I think they'll at least add another safety to compete in camp and perhaps push Gregory off the roster. Also I wonder with Wilson's size about him playing a hybrid role and more as a LB like Tank Williams a few years back before he got hurt.

I still wouldn't rule out them drafting another corner or safety as well. The roster moves they have made allow them to draft the BPA so it will be interesting.

 

[Ring 6]

In a year when the CB market was depressed, Pats should have gone aggressively after Sean Smith or Rodgers-Cromartie in addition to Talib. Their price was reasonable and -- you always upgrade your roster in a depressed market. Next year, when CB supply is more constrained and cap rises, everyone will be bemoaning the fact that the Pats have to pay top dollar to retain Talib or sign a replacement.

I am relieved we did retain Talib for at least this year at less than half his franchise tag price. In guaging the market today, the Pats did a good job.

One last point. NE entered this offseason knowing it needed to strengthen its CB corps. So far, at best, its status quo.

Reports are the market will be similar next year. The Patriots ARE stocking up their roster in a down market having already signed a number of players.

If oyu consider signing Talib who was a FA status quo, then your comment that they knew they needed to updrade makes no sense. The chose the guy they wanted as #1 corner. They were clearly set with Dennard. They chose their nickle guy. It sounds like they were happy with the corner spot, providing they could get their top choice at #1 and #3.

 

[Ring 6]

I think they'll at least add another safety to compete in camp and perhaps push Gregory off the roster. Also I wonder with Wilson's size about him playing a hybrid role and more as a LB like Tank Williams a few years back before he got hurt.

I still wouldn't rule out them drafting another corner or safety as well. The roster moves they have made allow them to draft the BPA so it will be interesting.

No need to reference a projected Tank Williams role, the role is already established as Rodney Harrison's.

 

[Rob0729]

I tend to agree with Reiss that we still need 2 corners: a backup outside player, and a backup slot player. Clearly, he is not counting on Dowling or Williams for anything.

Clearly if McCourty is a corner, there is no issue at all at corner. Denard is the backup outside and Arrington is the backup in the slot.

Of course, if McCourty is a corner, then we need a safety.

FYI, Reiss didn't write the article you reference. It was Field Yates.

I don't know if I agree unless the Pats have totally given up on Dowling and/or if Dennard does real jail time. One more may be enough.