DRAFT Welcome to New England, Cal S Craig Woodson

[JohnJH]

At my age 24 is a baby.

I'm 60. So yes, 24 is still a Kid. But there's non Pro Sports age and Pro Sports age. A player that retires at 32 is young outside of Pro Sports. But within Pro Sports, 32 is old. It is what it is.

 

[Triumph]

The only thing I don't like about this pick, is that he's already 24 years old (the same reason I didn't like the drafting of Dugger and White). Even if he becomes a 1st Team Pro Bowl/All Pro player, he'll be 28/29 by the time of his 2nd contract. Age does matter for most NFL positions when someone is drafted (especially if they become studs or key team players). I wish that they would stop doing this.

James White stepped up big time to win a Super Bowl.

Rodney Harrison was 31 when he joined the Pats. All that slowed him down was injuries and specifically that cheap shot by Denver. Im not saying that Woodson will be anybody, but after his rookie deal if Woodson is playing at high level and dependable, you offer a new contract. Some guys cheat father time. One NFL player described his NFL career as 2 elevators. As a rookie, psychically he was at his peak condition. That elevator was at the top. As a rookie mentally, he had some knowledge of the game, but much to learn. That elevator was basically on the ground floor.

Throughout his career the physical elevator gradually came down and the mental elevator went up.

 

[BUSTAMOVE]

I'm 71 and I am faster than Jordan Richards

I’m 65 and I am faster than Keith Richards

 

[JohnJH]

I’m 65 and I am faster than Keith Richards

A snail is faster than Keith Richards, and by a wide margin!

 

[BUSTAMOVE]

A snail is faster than Keith Richards, and by a wide margin!

How is the man still alive

 

[JohnJH]

How is the man still alive

My best guess is that he's been drinking his whiskey mixed with embalming fluid for the last 3 decades.

 

[BUSTAMOVE]

My best guess is that he's been drinking his whiskey mixed with embalming fluid for the last 3 decades.

That’s all I know is he wanted Campbell with the 4th pick

 

[Uptown]

 

[The Gr8est]

Just saw the interview of Woodson addressing the media.

He seems a very solid and intelligent person.

I can see why they would want him to become the field general in the backfield.

I know he is the pick that disappointed fans the most, but he seems like he can be the glue back there.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Just saw the interview of Woodson addressing the media.

He like a very solid and intelligent person.

I can see why they would want him to become the field general in the backfield.

I know he is the pick that disappointed fans the most, but he seems like he can be the glue back there.

The people that are disappointed with the pick do not understand nor appreciate how important a free safety is.

Woodson may/may not pan out but the logic in selecting him based on his strengths (football IQ, communication, anticipation) needed for the position - which was a train wreck last year- was sound.

There is a reason BB kept DMC around past his prime- for the same reasons.

 

[sb1]

Hmmm.

 

[manxman2601]

I'm 60. So yes, 24 is still a Kid. But there's non Pro Sports age and Pro Sports age. A player that retires at 32 is young outside of Pro Sports. But within Pro Sports, 32 is old. It is what it is.

I knew I was getting older the day Boris Becker, who was a year younger, retired. That was the exact moment I no longer thought of myself as young.

 

[PatsFan2]

The only thing I don't like about this pick, is that he's already 24 years old (the same reason I didn't like the drafting of Dugger and White). Even if he becomes a 1st Team Pro Bowl/All Pro player, he'll be 28/29 by the time of his 2nd contract. Age does matter for most NFL positions when someone is drafted (especially if they become studs or key team players). I wish that they would stop doing this.

Would you still not like him if he's pushing a Starter??

 

[TommyD4207]

I'm 60. So yes, 24 is still a Kid. But there's non Pro Sports age and Pro Sports age. A player that retires at 32 is young outside of Pro Sports. But within Pro Sports, 32 is old. It is what it is.

You're right. It's a potential concern.
That said, he was a 4th round pick, and I'm going to go out on a limb, and guess they're going to draft a safety or two at some point in the next four years.

It was a gaping hole that needed to be filled immediately by someone who could step in day 1. Do I wish he were 20? Sure. But it's not like a) He's a 1st round pick b) There aren't deeper safety classes in the next few years (there are) c) he's making a lot of money.

 

[The Gr8est]

I'm 60. So yes, 24 is still a Kid. But there's non Pro Sports age and Pro Sports age. A player that retires at 32 is young outside of Pro Sports. But within Pro Sports, 32 is old. It is what it is.

When one of your primary duties is calling defenses, being a bit older might be a point in your favor.

 

[Hugepatsfan]

When you're talking about safeties, I do think there's sometimes a disconnect between how fans view players and coaches/scouts do. Fans generally are forming opinions off highlight tapes and quick breakdown videos. There's such a focus in those mediums on playmaking. But it's right in the same of the position - "safety" - they're the last line of defense in a lot of cases. McCourty was a perfect example of this. From 2014-2019 he really didn't have a ton of "playmaking" stats (2 picks in '14, 1 every other year). A lot of the value he brought wasn't in the plays he made that show up on the stat sheet, it was things he took away deep with good positioning that never got noticed because there's no stat to show that the QB wanted to go deep but had to move to his 2nd read because the S was in proper position. A lot of the times the guys who make a lot of plays in college are doing so at the cost of giving up that type of discipline which will leave them susceptible in the pros. Ok cool, you came down like a heat seeking mistle and knocks a 10 yard curl out of the TEs hands... doesn't matter if the next play you're peaking in the backfield and now the WR runs a go route by the outside CB who thinks you're shading deep to help him so he's playing in a trailing position to take away an inside break or curl.

Especially for a coach like BB when he was here who was a big "do your job" guy and "bend but don't break" to where he was so focused on not giving up big plays because if you make the other team have to execute long drives they will eventually **** up... I can see why safety was a position he diverged from the media on a lot.

 

[JohnJH]

Would you still not like him if he's pushing a Starter??

If he becomes a starter and it's because he earned it (not due to another player being injured), and it's because he's that good right out of the gate? I'd be happy that we'd have a solid or better true FS. But he'd better get really good, really fast. I hope he becomes a perennial 1st Team Pro Bowler/All Pro. I just prefer drafting players that are on the younger side (NFL age-wise) if at all possible. As with everyone that we drafted and will draft, I hope he becomes a stud regardless of age.

 

[JohnJH]

When one of your primary duties is calling defenses, being a bit older might be a point in your favor.

Perhaps. Although I know of way to many people that are over 40 that are downright idiot's in general.

 

[Toofy]

Hmmm.

Sign me on the woodson bandwagon..

Rookie pro bowler...

 

[Uptown]