New England Patriots: A look at free agents...secondary.
by Justin_Bobo on Jan 18, 2010 5:33 PM EST
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PrintA weak passing defense exploited our weak secondary this season. On top of that, we will most likely lose our best cornerback Leigh Bodden, along with the possible cutting of Shawn Springs (I hope) and the loss of either Terrence Wheatley or Jonathan Wilhite. So where do we go from here? We are probably better off in the draft this year secondary-wise, but let's take a look at what is out there.
Since I assume that next year will wind up being an uncapped year, any free agent who hasn't been in the league for 6 years will lose his free agency status, meaning they will become restricted free agents...and most restricted free agents don't leave. So I'll do my best to make sure who is and isn't restricted and unrestricted now, but please correct me if i am wrong.
Ellis Hobbs, CB, Philadelphia Eagles (would be restricted) - My boy! Yes, I still have his jersey in my closet. I can only wish for Mr. Hobbs' return, but deep down I know this would not happen. He'll be an Eagle next year, but I can still hope right? Does have 171 tackles and 9 interceptions in 5 seasons, while only play 8 games with Philly this year. Made 2.545 million with Philly.
Antoine Winfield, CB, Minnesota Vikings (unrestricted) - Only played 10 games this season, same amount as he played in 2007. 21 interceptions in his 11 seasons, but only 4 in the last 3 years. Has lost a step, but doesn't get beat downfield still. Made 6 million this year, but that number will drop.
Ashton Youboty, CB, Buffalo Bills (would be restricted) - Has yet to play even close to a full season, with a career-high 11 games this season. Injury prone, then buried on the Bills depth chart, I don't expect him to return to the Bills' sidelines next year. Still has a high ceiling if placed in the right environment. Made $500,000 this year and doesn't expect to make too much more.
Terence Newman, CB, Dallas Cowboys (unrestricted) - 23 interceptions in 7 seasons. Height has been an issue he has had to overcome (5'11"). Makes up for height with speed. Can cover downfield and the slot. Made $895,000 this year, could make a million-a-year deal somewhere.
Dre Bly, CB, San Francisco 49ers (unrestricted) - 43 interceptions in 11 seasons with 4 teams. 26 tackles and 3 interceptions with the 49ers and played in every game. Has only missed 9 games in 11 seasons, all coming in a 3 seasons stretch (03, 04, 05). Turns 33 in May. Made $845,000 with the 49ers, expect the same one year deal elsewhere.
I don't think safety is a big need personally, but here is a list of major available safeties. If interested, I'll include them up here. Atari Bigby, Melvin Bullitt, Daniel Bullocks, Antoine Harris, Brodney Pool, Dawan Landry, Pierson Prioleau, Gerald Sensabaugh, Darren Sharper.
Other available cornerbacks include Corey Webster, Terrence McGee, Anthony Henry, William Gay, Kevin Dockery
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yes and then sent wilhite far far away
Non Sibi Sed Patriae.
Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum!
I bleed Scarlet and Grey...A Buckeye for Life
Keep them both - the new Wonder Twins.
As in: Wonder why they’re no where near their receivers?
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by SlotMachinePlayer on Jan 18, 2010 6:11 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
Oh, Wilhite was there
he was always just close enough to pat the WR on the back as they made another easy reception for the TD or first-down. Not close enough to stop the WR, but close enough to say ‘well done’. Somehow it’s even more galling to watch than, say, Asante Samuel jumping a route badly and getting burned.
Bodden doesn’t do either. Please break out the chequebook, Hoodie/Kraft.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
by Comedic.Sans on Jan 18, 2010 7:51 PM EST up reply actions
Rec'd
Offensive Coordinator > Guard > Tackle > DE > OLB > RB > WR > CB
by Richard Hill on Jan 19, 2010 12:00 AM EST up reply actions
April 22 stinks!!!!!!!
Why can’t the draft be first week of March!!??!!?!?!?!!!! April is tooooooo faaaaarrr awaaaaay!!!
Bodden back
Non Sibi Sed Patriae.
Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum!
I bleed Scarlet and Grey...A Buckeye for Life
Oh, crap
I missed that option. Yes. Bodden back, please. He doesn’t jump routes, plays his lanes and gets the occasional big play. I like Bodden.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
by Comedic.Sans on Jan 18, 2010 4:43 PM EST up reply actions
I'd like to have bodden back, and also sign Newman if they can.
Newman is a great player.
Bly provides leadership though, so its a toss up from Newman and Bly for me.
FP'd and Rec'd
Justin_Bobo, I changed the title slightly to enhance SEO (search engine optimization); including New England Patriots in the title gets us more hits.
Well done.
Blogger at SBNation's Patriots blog, Pats Pulpit
dont mind springs being back as a nickelback as bulter takes the 1 of 2 starting cb spot
Non Sibi Sed Patriae.
Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum!
I bleed Scarlet and Grey...A Buckeye for Life
Sign Bodden. Cut Wilhite.
Keep Springs for one more year to help Butler, Chung and Wheatley. Draft a safety, preferably Taylor Mays out of USC. Trade Adalius Thomas for a pick or two, use saved money to sign Kyle Vanden Bosch(cheaper than Peppers, great motor and will OWN with Wilfork around) and draft a balanced but quick outside linebacker in the second round. Oh.. and resign Wilfork. Most importantly, move Pepper Johnson to DC and talk to Troy Brown about being a receiving/DB assistant.
i agree w. u
but we have 4 SS/FS w. us…and they are good. i dont know is kyle vanden bosch will be good @ 3-4OLB…he weighs 279 pounds.
i think we will draft Jared Ordick 3-4DE/4-3DT or Sergio Kindle 3-4OLB 6’4 250lbs. w. our 1st rd pick.
Non Sibi Sed Patriae.
Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum!
I bleed Scarlet and Grey...A Buckeye for Life
I'm not totally convinced on Sanders.
He seems good. He really looks good. However, rarely do I remember any thread going “thank god we have James Sanders back there” or “Sanders owned today!”. I hear that alot with Merriweather, not Sanders. Sanders has issues with over the top coverage and tackling and his reaction, speed, and positioning are questionable. He’s not bad, he does his job, but at best he’s still a good backup. A mediocre secondary is supposed to be propped up by good to decent safety play. That hasn’t happened the past 2 years or 3 years. McGowan is a project at best. Either way, from a coverage standpoint, it’s weak downfield.
I’d rather put Vanden Bosch at DE where Green/Wright are on the depth chart currently. Preferrably moving Green to the practice squad or trading him (much prefer practice squad).
I’m not impressed with Kindle. Seems slow off the snap which is not something you can be in the NFL. I’d much prefer Mays in the first round and Jerry Hughes out of TCU in the second for OLB. He has elite first step and very good play recognition coupled with decent size 6’2" 257. The combine will show options alot better but either way the OLB section is deep.
kyle is too small to play 3-4 DE . Jerry Hughes is a little undersized for a 3-4olb for a BB Defense scheme. BB likes a tall OLB 6’2 is small for him.
Pus we have Pat Chung who will prob be the SS nxt year w. Meriweather as FS..
Non Sibi Sed Patriae.
Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum!
I bleed Scarlet and Grey...A Buckeye for Life
I think Meriweather will stay at SS
Because of the way the Pats play their safeties (SS often close to/ in the box, while the FS sits back and deep cover 3), I don’t think Meriweather would make a good FS, at least at the moment.
He might have the physicals – sideline to sideline speed – but he doesn’t have that Ed Reed disposition and level of experience to read the play. He’s getting picks where he’s playing now, so you don’t gain a lot by shifting him back further, and you also run the risk of him blowing big plays – he still bites on play-actions too often for me to be completely comfortable with him being the sole deep safety.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
by Comedic.Sans on Jan 19, 2010 4:23 PM EST up reply actions
if chung wins the job nxt season
he is more like a SS than a FS.
Non Sibi Sed Patriae.
Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum!
I bleed Scarlet and Grey...A Buckeye for Life
I imagine they'll rotate Meriweather and Chung
but also use them situationally – Chung as a pass-rusher from the nickelback spot. Considering how Meriweather has open-field speed and Chung is more of an in-the-box guy, I don’t see why the couldn’t have those two, and a genuine FS, on the field at once – Chung in that Rodney Harrison in-the-box-SS role, perhaps instead of a LB.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
by Comedic.Sans on Jan 19, 2010 8:12 PM EST up reply actions
when i first saw Chung in a pre-season game; he reminded me of Rodney
Non Sibi Sed Patriae.
Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum!
I bleed Scarlet and Grey...A Buckeye for Life
he definitely has the same skill set and similar body build.
He’s a VERY smart tackler, likes to hit people as hard as he can, he seems like he can easily develop into a vocal leader which I also think he was one of the strong leaders on the defense in Oregon. He needs to develop a bit more better coverage, and then I think he’ll be 95% exactly like Rodney.
Funny how we find these guys:
Edelman= Welker
Chung= Harrison
:)
Kyle is almost the perfect size to play 3-4 DE.
Not sure why you think he’s small at 6-4 278 lb. That’s the standard DE in the league. Hell.. Jarvis Green is 6-3 285 lb. and pats used him a healthy chunk of the season. Mike Wright is 6-4 295 lb. so he’s only slightly larger. Sure, Richard Seymour was big but that doesn’t mean every end has to be. Aside from that, Vanden Bosch has a huge motor and can perhaps take some heat off Wilfork like he did for Haynesworth. He could also help groom Brace and bring some leadership back to the line. He’s a bit old though so I wouldn’t sign him beyond 3 years..
Tall OLB may have been popular. However, given the new fad of huge hulking left tackles, big OLB are rather offset. Instead, people like Dumervil are doing it via leverage and speed. Hughes has one of the fastest first steps and reaction times I’ve seen coming out of college for an DE/OLB. He has the talent and speed to impact immediately and will help balance a very weak pass rush and make the LB corps younger.
Btw, agreed on not moving Meriweather. He’d make a crappy free safety, as would Chung.
Pretty sure Green can't go to the practice squad?
I agree, we need to upgrade the DE spot Seymour left.
Offensive Coordinator > Guard > Tackle > DE > OLB > RB > WR > CB
by Richard Hill on Jan 19, 2010 12:02 AM EST up reply actions
Green makes $3mil a yr?
He made twice as much as the other starting D line towards the cap this season. Ditton know. Prolly won’t see him next season in Pats colors. :P
Green's had too much experience for the practice squad
Even BJGE and Ray Ventrone had played too many games/spent too many seasons in the NFL to be in a practice squad at the beginning of 2009. It’s really pretty stringent about who is and isn’t allowed on those squads.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
by Comedic.Sans on Jan 19, 2010 2:14 AM EST up reply actions
James Sanders had some good stops in the box
but more importantly, the secondary didn’t seem as out of position when he was playing. He makes coverage changes calls that Meriweather either doesn’t know how to do or isn’t comfortable doing. Skills-wise he is more like a backup.
My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Jan 19, 2010 11:50 AM EST up reply actions
You can always land Jamar Fletcher ;)
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I think you guys are being shortsighted if you want to cut Wilhite
He was a rookie this season, and he played the routes well but just didn’t make the plays. Remember who else was like that his rookie season? Meriweather. Everyone was calling for his head for his “stone hands” and missed tackles, and now he’s quickly becoming a great safety. If Maroney can get umpteen chances to do well, I want to give Wilhite at least one more season before we write him off as a bust.
Wilhite won't get cut.
Despite how we’d like him to be more physical, he can still fill in on the depth chart. He probably doesn’t have the skills we’d like to be a #1 or #2 corner though, so that puts him at nickel and dime which is about right.
My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Jan 19, 2010 11:52 AM EST up reply actions
He played better his rookie year.
Sophomore slump? Sophomoric play?
My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Jan 19, 2010 1:46 PM EST up reply actions
They definitely need to cut Wheatley tho, major bust.
Not sure why he’s still around, with a 2nd rd 7 figure/year contract. He needs to be gone in 2010. There are a good crop of CB/S’s 6’0" and taller this draft to replace him with. Couple top notch 5’11 guys too.
For the first round pick I like either the big OG Iupati/ or top 5 rated OT, unless the following defensive guys are stll around:
( forget about Suh DT, Derek Morgan DE, or Berry S being available)
Rolando McClain – ILB (probably won’t be avail)
Navoro Bowman – OLB (issues, 6’1, but hey…)
Jason Pierre-Paul – DE 6’5 265
Carlos Dunlap – DE 6’6 290 (think young Seymore)
Joe Haden – CB (might be avail)
Earl Thomas – S
Taylor Mays – S 6’3 230 (and super speedy supposedly)
Then in the second round we can still pick up any of :
Ricky Sapp DE/OLB 6’4 245
Everson Griphen – DE 6’3 265
Corey Wooton – DE 6’7 280
Sean Lee – ILB 6’2 268 (from LB U Penn)
Bruce Carter OLB
Greg Hardy – OLB 6’5 255
Jerry Hughes – OLB 6’3 257
Maybe Gerhart if he is still available for the last 2nd rounder, if any of the players on the lists are picked up. Go with Gerhart, Maroney, Faulk, and Green-Ellis.
I'd be all for packaging a couple picks to move up into the 3rd round...
…because I think Gerhart will be available there.
Offensive Coordinator > Guard > Tackle > DE > OLB > RB > WR > CB
by Richard Hill on Jan 19, 2010 5:02 PM EST up reply actions
i think we will get comp 3rd rounders but it will be @ the end of the round
Non Sibi Sed Patriae.
Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum!
I bleed Scarlet and Grey...A Buckeye for Life
I like gerhart
simply because of how great his balance is. I think balance and vision(and sometimes speed) are Very key for a RB.
It's odd, because Wheatley looked good in his rookie year before he got injured
He had a really good game against the Colts and had two genuine pass-breakups within one three-and-out series… and then broke himself, and never looked the same since.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
by Comedic.Sans on Jan 19, 2010 9:14 PM EST up reply actions
I actually think he'll be a lot better next season.
I think weatley will feel more comfortable after half a year of not starting, and being behind wilhite on the depth chart last year. He reminds of Hobbs, but I believe he will be better next year(I have tremendous faith).
i belive he was inactive for most of the season
Non Sibi Sed Patriae.
Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum!
I bleed Scarlet and Grey...A Buckeye for Life
2009 Season?
I thought he was active, but Wilhite took his job.
“They took his job!!!”
na...since that home invasion of his home he has always been inactive...i really wanted wilhite to be inactive for at least one game to see how whealtey would perform
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLni3wbndls
Non Sibi Sed Patriae.
Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum!
I bleed Scarlet and Grey...A Buckeye for Life
He looks great
but unless we trade up, he’ll likely be picked up before us.
but
both guys are 6’1…though weatherspoon weighs 245lbs. BB likes his OLB to be tall (above 6’4) and weigh above 240+ lbs
Non Sibi Sed Patriae.
Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum!
I bleed Scarlet and Grey...A Buckeye for Life
yeah
but the elite pass rushers today are not 6’ 4". guys like harrison on the steelers(6’ 0"), dumerville(6’1" I believe), and even the rookies orakpo and cushing who are under 6’ 4" have been game changers at OLB.
Height does not matter.
but look who the hoodie drafted for the last 2 years as OLB
shaun carble is 243lbs n Mckeneize is 240lbs.
btw vrabel was 250+lbs and so is AT.
Non Sibi Sed Patriae.
Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum!
I bleed Scarlet and Grey...A Buckeye for Life
he needs to look at smaller players as well
who posses finesse and speed, and who are also strong.
Add Witherspoon to the list ...
Just checked out top defensive draft prospects on YouTube. He would be a great pick-up. Von Miller is another good one, he had 16 sacks, at 6’2 240. Not sure if that was one season or collegiate career, but still pretty good concidering at most that would have been over 3 yrs if it wasn’t a 1 season stat. And who was saying Sergio Kindle wasn’t that good? Was it a media person? I checked out his highlights, and man!, this guy is electric. He is fast. He won’t last. Sad. There are some gooood DE/LB’s this year. Let’s git some git some!
If Maroney had just 5 more carries ...
per game, he would have had a 1000 yard season. He definitely looked better over the last half of the season, running hard instead of dancing. Had some good kick returns too.
He would've had those 5 touches per game, too
if the Pats didn’t mysteriously abandon the run in the second half of pretty much every game. I didn’t get it then, and I still don’t get it now.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
by Comedic.Sans on Jan 19, 2010 4:06 PM EST up reply actions
He also might have had 5 more fumbles on the season.
The kid couldn’t hold onto the ball. You’re not gonna get carries when you can’t hold onto the ball, ESPECIALLY around the goal line.
you're way too hard on him.
sure you can point out those two fumbles at the goal line. One was legit, and can happen to anyone, the other should’ve been called a TD since it dropped STRAIT DOWN. He only had 4 fumbles this entire season, which is still great(even though we are talking about a guy who has never fumbled since he was on this team until 2009) considering that AP had 7 fumbles and I think 3 or 4 other star Running Backs had more fumbles than him, and a whole bunch of other that have the same amount of fumbles as him. But if he had 5 more carries, don’t always count on him to fumble, because He doesn’t fumble often(key word is often, because he only fumbled 4 times).
Keep Bodden...
and scrap the rest mentioned. I can’t believe the Pats signed Springs to a 2 year deal, and the younger Bodden to a 1 year deal. Didn’t make sense in preseason, doesn’t make sense now. Re-sign the guy. He good.
Hobbs, na na na. He had one good half season, and was good at kick returns, and the rest was sub-par. I’m glad he’s gone. Springs is better than Hobbs. Not much, but still better. Hobbs is like Wilhite and Wheatley, usually out of position for a pass defense, letting his man make the 1st down and more. And why haven’t they cut Wheatley yet. They will this season if uncapped. He was a 2nd rounder, right? That’s a 7 figure/year contract. After the Pats take the best player available with their 1st draft pick, probably the big OG Ipatu or a top 5 OT, they need to pick up one of the stud safties or top corners over 5’10. With the first 4 picks, Pats should be able to address the O-line and defense with quality players this year. Would be nice to pick up a top 5 running back, but if Brady can keep his uniform clean, the offense will score. Especially after he heals up in teh off-season.
pay the man
Non Sibi Sed Patriae.
Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum!
I bleed Scarlet and Grey...A Buckeye for Life
Please Not Another Year With Hobbs
The last thing the Pats need is Ellis Hobbs back. He was a terrible corner who always seemed to fall down just as the receiver caught the ball and ran it in for a TD. This kid Wilhite plays a lot like Hobbs did. Pats don’t need either of them. They need to find at least 1 shut-down corner. Another thought, get rid out A. Thomas and go after Peppers.
Get rid of A. Thomas but please please please no Peppers.
He’s good but I don’t like his attitude. Reminds me of what was expected out of Thomas when the pats got him. Now look at him. Also, Peppers is gonna ask for FAR too much. Better off looking somewhere else.
Ellis hobbs is not THAT BAD.
sure he gives up some plays, and of course he’s no #1 corner, but he is a solid #2(most of the time). He gets targeted frequently, which is why we see more receiver catching the ball with his coverage. But I wouldn’t want him on the team again simply because he doesn’t LEAP over the WR to make an INT. He mostly breaks it up, but I’d like a guy who is tougher, on the line, and not 20 yards away before the ball is snapped(he always gets beat when they run a curl route). But I don’t think he’s THAT bad. He can make some plays here and there.
plus he is a good return guy
Non Sibi Sed Patriae.
Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum!
I bleed Scarlet and Grey...A Buckeye for Life
of course
only I think butler and that other kid who’s name I forgot are better, since they had more longer returns than hobbs did. Last year all I remember was the 50 yard return.
but no TD
hobbs had 2 in 08 in think…one against the raiders
Non Sibi Sed Patriae.
Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum!
I bleed Scarlet and Grey...A Buckeye for Life
ah.
Matt slater was the name. Hobbs is an above average returner, but I think he is slightly overrated. Idk. Why not I guess.
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