Patriots Roster Prediction #50: CB Terrence Wheatley

by Richard Hill on Jul 11, 2010 11:00 AM EDT in Patriots Player Profiles

Player Name: CB Terrence Wheatley

Experience: 2 Years in the NFL, both with the New England Patriots

Past Role: In his rookie season, Wheatley saw time against the San Diego Chargers (got burned by Vincent Jackson for 72 yards on 2 receptions and 3 passes, but participated in 17 snaps), the St. Louis Rams (Didn't have a ball thrown his way in 20 snaps) and the Indianapolis Colts (Swallowed Marvin Harrison whole, 2 passes attempted, both defended, then injured his wrist). This means that he showed enough coverage skills that quarterbacks didn't try and throw in his direction that often.

Wheatley recovered over the off-season, but something must have been wrong and he dropped down the depth chart, behind Free Agent pick-up Shawn Springs, fellow 2008 Draftee Jonathan Wilhite and 2009 Draftee Darius Butler. Wheatley didn't get on the field until Week 3 and he was given the job of covering Roddy White. Similar to his Vincent Jackson game, he was thrown at 3 times and gave up 2 receptions for 21 yards. He didn't see much of the defense for the rest of the season.

Predicted Role: Wheatley will make the roster because the Patriots need depth at cornerback, in case of injury. If the Patriots use their Joker defense more (only one player on the line of scrimmage), the defense might opt to use more linebackers or more defensive backs. Should one of the top defensive backs be injured, Wheatley will provide extra depth.

He'll also emerge as a kick returner as Matthew Slater doesn't make the final cut.

Predicted Season Numbers: 0 Games Started, 4 Games Played. 5 Tackles.

Predicted Depth Chart: #5 CB

Summary: Wheatley will barely make the roster and will be at the top of "possible players to let go" when Welker returns from the PUP list. He'll primarily be a special teamer and his skill as a cornerback gives him a roster spot over Slater.

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So you have Wilhite getting cut?

You have him as the 4th cornerback, presumably with Bodden, Butler, and McCourty 1-3. Yet you only project him playing four games. When we play teams like the Colts, the 4th corner will be seeing a lot of time on the field, particularly in the slot.

I don’t think that Wheatley has shown anything to make me think he will unseat Wilhite as the fourth corner thus far. But if he did, I think he’d play more than four games. JMO

Unless of course you meant to say 5th cornerback, which would make everything I’ve said above pointless

by Greg Knopping on Jul 11, 2010 11:30 AM EDT reply actions

Yep, I meant 5th. Good catch.

Pats Pulpit

by Richard Hill on Jul 11, 2010 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions

"Good catch"? In an article about Wheatley?

I’m stuck on Wheatley. He showed something when he sat on Marvin Harrison’s head and messed with Peyton Manning in near-consecutive plays – very few CBs do that. But then he showcased the fragile wrists (he’d had severe injury issues in college) and then pulled a leg muscle when chasing a home invader. Talented-but-injury-prone is the epitaph to many an NFL career.

Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.

by Comedic.Sans on Jul 11, 2010 8:38 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm sitting on the fence with you on this one

Great if he works his butt off in Camp and shows the kind of talent the Patriots drafted him for – but we may find out he’s made of glass and they’ll move on from there.

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Jul 12, 2010 7:44 AM EDT up reply actions

What I saw on him in the preseason, was a guy who was too fast but not too smart.

He was working so hard to prove himself, he proved he couldn’t do it.

He would over react to every little juke, and end up out of position chasing guys down from behind. Of course, he CAN chase guys down from behind unlike Wilhite.

He needs to settle down and play it a bit cooler, when he sees the opportunity, he can jump in and make the play. He has crazy closing speed, so even 4 yards away he can hit the guy as the ball does. Use that to his advantage.

QB thinking: Hey, 82 looks open, here’s the ball. … Oh no. Oh God, no. Where the heck did that guy come from? Better catch him! Crap, that son of a gun is fast! Pick six!

That is Wheatley’s potential. He just needs to play cool and play smart. If he doesn’t, he won’t be playing at all.

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 Jul 12, 2010 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions

Banking on both

It would be great if they did elevate their game. The time investment in both of them is significant. BB’s system seems to take time to learn as does the rookie transition into the NFL [as stated by Butler and Chung].

Butler is only in year two, and McCourty is a rookie facing the transition.

If Wilhite and Wheatley [and/or Arrington] elevate their game, the PATS would have a superb, youthful group of DB’s who could develop together with Bodden assuming the mentor role.

I think it all begins with the D-line. The PATS must generate a pass rush up the middle and put regular pressure on the QB to help these DB’s with coverage. These young guys cannot be expected to close down on the receivers if the QB has time to scan the field.

by couchpotato on Jul 11, 2010 9:35 PM EDT reply actions

My opinion on wheatley

is if he can stay healthy from day one of camp he will be the 4th corner behind bodden butler mcourty i think wheatley is far more talented then wilhite. he just needs to stay healthy.

by brady12mvp3 on Jul 12, 2010 9:19 AM EDT reply actions

Wheatley is more athletic, and has a much higher ceiling.

Wilhite plays smarter and will make the tackle, but doesn’t really bust up plays.

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 Jul 12, 2010 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions

Wilhite will make the tackle...

…provided he’s in the vicinity of his receiver. Which is rare. Hah.

Pats Pulpit

by Richard Hill on Jul 12, 2010 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Once the receiver breaks past him, he's going, going, gone...with Wilhite as an escort.

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 Jul 12, 2010 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions

my problem with wilhite is

he rarely makes a play on the ball and always seems to get beat by 1 step it might have been because he was playing on the outside and is more fit for the inside i dont know i just think wheatley has a lot more talent then he has been able to show so far and i think if he can seize his chance this training camp i think he is number 4 cb on this squad.

by brady12mvp3 on Jul 12, 2010 1:06 PM EDT reply actions