Reiss Thinks That We Still Need 2 Corners

[Jimke]

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.)

Cole looked terrible when forced to play in the AFC Championship game.
They need somebody a little better.

Ebner shouldn't even be on the team. He was a completely wasted draft pick.
He only played two or three plays as a safety in college. He was strictly a special
teams player. His forte was rugby.

Another wasted draft pick was Williams. He was never a starter in college.

 

[RobertWeathers]

1) What happened to Marquise Cole? Did he take off? He wasn't a bad option for the nickle.

Cole is a fine EoR guy. As a CB matched up vs a #1, - #3 WR option he is inadequate.

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.)

For Ebner to become the next RH, he will need to have the greatest level of improvement in NFL history. Possible, but at best remote.

 

[Nehalem]

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.

I agree. I am disappointed as well we didn't grab another corner at the value prices. Hopefully that means the Pats are high on Dennard and seem him as providing similar skills at a lower price.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Agree we need at least 1 more. Dowling cannot be counted on for anything until he proves otherwise. I expect Dennard to not miss any time (just a gut feeling, don't quote me as a legal expert or anything). I think 4 real corners (Talib/Dennard/Arrington/Acquisition at outside CB) and Dowling/Williams would be sufficient. Plus we are currently 5 deep at safety (and may not even be done addressing that position) so that gives McCourty flexibility to switch to corner as well if one more corner isn't enough.

I believe we'd only need 2 more corners if it comes to the point where we're certain Dennard is missing more than 1/4th of the season.

 

[IllegalContact]

No.....we need another safety and move mccourty back to corner

 

[FoxboroFlyer]

According to rotoworld, if the Saints sign Asomugha they will probably be releasing
Patrick Robinson, or Jabari Greer.

Robinson could be an interesting option, if so.

 

[DaBruinz]

Cole looked terrible when forced to play in the AFC Championship game.
They need somebody a little better.

Ebner shouldn't even be on the team. He was a completely wasted draft pick.
He only played two or three plays as a safety in college. He was strictly a special
teams player. His forte was rugby.

Yes, Ebner's forte was rugby. Which, as I'm sure you know, highlights a lot of open field tackling. He was a low round pick who forced his way onto the team. As for Ebner being strictly a special teams player, how is that a bad thing for a late round pick?

Another wasted draft pick was Williams. He was never a starter in college.

Actually, you are wrong. Williams wasn't a starter for TCU, but he was a starter for the JUCO he went to. And at TCU he was an excellent special teams player. Not sure how that can be considered a waste of a draft pick.

 

[Brady6]

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.

I think 1 in the form of a draft pick that we can bring along slow to replace Talib in 2014 and then a guy like Cole who can contribute on ST and provide depth.

 

[DaBruinz]

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.

Not sure why everyone has the hots for DRC.. He was ok with AZ and below avg with Philly.

Sean Smith is more of a CB/S type, IMHO. Clearly the Pats didn't feel he was a fit. Either that or KC got to him first..

There are only so many hours in a day and only so many people you can negotiate with at one time.

There are still plenty of CBs out there yet. Brent Grime. Asomougha. Winfield. Woodson. Hall. Robinson. And there could still be more cuts coming.

 

[FoxboroFlyer]

Not sure why everyone has the hots for DRC.. He was ok with AZ and below avg with Philly.

Sean Smith is more of a CB/S type, IMHO. Clearly the Pats didn't feel he was a fit. Either that or KC got to him first..

There are only so many hours in a day and only so many people you can negotiate with at one time.

There are still plenty of CBs out there yet. Brent Grime. Asomougha. Winfield. Woodson. Hall. Robinson. And there could still be more cuts coming.

What are your thoughts on Hall, DaBruinz?

You think he could be a quality add?

Would he be moved to safety, or stay at CB?

 

[eom]

yeah, and let's just bear in mind trade possibilities.

pats still seem to be sitting on some fat cap for some reason -- something's up.

 

[PatsSox363804]

an X receiver and DT that can get pressure, as well as a pass rushing DE are more important than a 5th CB at the moment.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

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.

This all depends on whether Dennard is issued a new orange uniform...,

 

[Drake&BarmoreFTW]

What do you guys think of Antoine Winfield? Or maybe too old?

 

[VrabelJr]

The only Secondary player worth bringing in through FA at this point is Michael Huff. I only say that because it gives us the luxury of moving McCourty to CB. If Dennard has to serve time or has a sophomore slump then the luxury of having McCourty at CB is well worth it. It also doesn't hurt that Huff is a good Safety that is just another Raiders casualty by Reggie the Tyrant.

 

[nabwong]

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.)

Too late, i've already said we're gonna be making an Ebner statue when he retires.

 

[SeanBruschi54]

What do you guys think of Antoine Winfield? Or maybe too old?

The guy is old but we dont need long term players we need players who can just play

 

[VJCPatriot]

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

LOL. Rodney Harrison ain't walking through that door! He's in the broadcast booth now.

I think the Pats still need to take a developmental CB or S either in the 2nd or 3rd round and hope they hit. Honey Badger in the 7th... maybe. But I'd be worried that 3/5 of our defensive backfield might be potential suspensions/felons. LOL.

Also more cheap vet competition would be a plus and we can count on BB to dig under some rocks for those.

 

[everlong]

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

Rodney was still a strong safety playing in the box and usually with just one other safety. I'd picture this more like Don Davis being a LB who could be used as a 3rd safety in spots only this would be a safety playing LB. I know the popular opinion is Wilson was a bit of a failure last year and he certainly made some big mistakes but I think another year in the system and he'll be much better year two.

 

[Nehalem]

The only Secondary player worth bringing in through FA at this point is Michael Huff. I only say that because it gives us the luxury of moving McCourty to CB. If Dennard has to serve time or has a sophomore slump then the luxury of having McCourty at CB is well worth it. It also doesn't hurt that Huff is a good Safety that is just another Raiders casualty by Reggie the Tyrant.

McCourty and Talib at CB, with Arrington in the slot

and

the Wilsons at S, with Gregory as the backup

isn't a terrible group of DBs.