New England Patriots Links 9/01/10 - With Bodden Out, Young Corners Need To Man Up Fast
by Marima on Sep 1, 2010 10:59 AM EDT
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PrintIan Rapoport looks at just how valuable was Leigh Bodden to the Patriots.
According to ProFootballFocus.com, Bodden’s numbers were better than every other Patriots CB across the board.
Bodden allowed exactly 50 percent of the passes into his coverage to be completed (45 catches on 90 targets) for a total of 515 yards (11.4 yards per catch). Butler, meanwhile, allowed 36 catches in the 64 times he was thrown (56 percent) and he gave up 11.9 yards per catch. Similar.
But where the difference came was in "playing the ball," as coach Bill Belichick likes to say.
Bodden deflected 12 passes along with his five picks, while Butler only deflected three other passes besides his three interceptions. Let’s look at it another way.Opposing quarterbacks had a passer rating of 59.3 when throwing at Bodden, with Butler having the next best number of 67.6. Next came the departed Shawn Springs (94.1 rating into his coverage), then Jonathan Wilhite (115.3). Terrence Wheatley, who may now make the team after all, was 86.8, but with just 21 snaps and three passes thrown his way.
Wilhite’s other numbers were, well, not so sweet. The site says he watched as 65.7 percent of the passes thrown his way were completed (44 catches on 67 throws) for an average of 15 yards per catch. Yikes. In addition, he didn’t touch any other passes besides the two picks he made.
The worst news? Wilhite was beaten for six touchdowns, compared to Butler’s two and Bodden’s four… and both players had 240-plus more snaps than Wilhite.
Karen Guregian notes that if it were up to the players many of the starters would like to play in the final preseason game to get last week's debacle out of their heads.
Yeah, I think we’re all expecting to play," linebacker Tully Banta-Cain said. "Obviously, last week left a bad taste in our mouth, so we definitely want to get some good plays, and some good defensive football going so that we go into the season with a little more confidence knowing we’re capable of doing it, even though I don’t think last Thursday’s game tells the whole story of us as a team. It’s definitely not something we want to be remembering going into the season."
TEAM TALK
- Michael Lombardi offers a glimpse into how teams cut to the final 53.
- The New England Patriots announce their most recent roster moves: placing of four players on IR and releasing one.
- Paul Perillo was stunned with the news that Leigh Bodden was placed on IR and notes there's always the possibility of a trade.
- Erik Scalavino offers some news and notes from Tuesday's practice.
- Vince Wilfork was recognized as the 2010 New England Patriots Ron Burton Community Service Award winner at the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation's Annual Kickoff Gala last night.
- Ask PFW: Cutting to the chase.
- Bill Belichick Tuesday Presser. (14.54 min. video)
- Patriots Today - Pats embark on final preseason week. (2.41 min. video)
- Locker Room Uncut - Patriots wrap up preseason practice schedule. (2.48 min. video)
- Patriots Today - Charitable Foundation Kickoff Gala. (3.15 min. video)
LOCAL LINKS
- Monique Walker reports the Patriots lost their most experienced corner when Leigh Bodden was placed on IR with a rotator cuff injury.
- Albert Breer asserts that with Bodden out, the Patriots are awfully green at the corner position. And they'll be tested.
- Tom E. Curran says it's too early to go all doom and gloom on the Pats chances, but the loss of Bodden certainly doesn't make things easier.
- Mike Reiss offers a breakdown of the NFL's youngest projected CB tandems on opening day, with the Patriots now at the top of the list.
- Ian Rapoport reports Vince Wilfork struggled to keep his emotions in check as he accepted the Ron Burton Community Service award last night.
- Karen Guregian reports Tully Banta-Cain makes a case for chilling out before pushing the panic button on D.
- Jessica Haslam reports the NFL is investigating LB Brandon Spikes pornographic web video to see if Spikes violated its personal conduct policy.
- Mike Reiss reports the NFL is investigating a compromising internet video of Patriots rookie Brandon Spikes.
- Mike Rodak reports from the Patriots final practice of training camp, noting the secondary is still depleted due to injuries.
- Mike Reiss reports on Patriots practice number 37, the last one of the preseason.
- Shalise Manza Young offers us a peek at preseason's last practice, held in full pads in the hot sun.
- WEEI offers the transcript of Bill Belichick's Q&A with the media Tuesday afternoon at Gillette Stadium.
- Mike Reiss reports the Patriots' injury situation is putting stress on Bill Belichick and his roster.
- Mike Petraglia says Belichick admits cuts are 'very unscientific'.
- Albert Breer takes a stab at which 54 players will have jobs here in a week's time.
- DJ Bean talks with Stephen Neal regarding the stress for players during roster cut-down week.
- Danny Picard says that if a player's phone doesn't ring on 'cut day', that's a good thing.
- Tom E. Curran says Carson Palmer thinks Tom Brady's best days are still ahead of him, two years removed from his knee injury.
- Mike Reiss catches up with ILB Tyrone McKenzie.
- Ian Rapoport says QB Brian Hoyer will likely get plenty of action against the Giants tomorrow night. He's come a long way in one year.
- Mike Reiss says Robert Kraft sees the AFC East as the league's toughest division.
- Albert Breer notes the Jets win the battle of publicity.
- Albert Breer sees some points to argue with John Clayton's NFL QB rankings.
- Mike Reiss answers his weekly reader mailbag, full of questions regarding the Patriots' defensive struggles.
- Shalise Manza Young Patriots Notebook: Spikes agent is doing damage control, saying his client is a high-character guy in spite of video; Pats put four players on IR and released CB Terrence Johnson for the second time; Zac Robinson had Brady to thank for his horrific rookie haircut; Wilfork was honored by the team for community service; Injury update.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Tim Graham (ESPN) Pats place top pass defender Bodden on IR.
- Matt Bowen (Nat'l Football Post) Secondary concerns: Injuries for Saints, Vikings and Patriots bring up questions.
- PFW Insider (Pro Football Weekly) Randy Moss is smart player.
- Tim Graham (ESPN) Were big AFC East offseason needs filled?
- Knox Bardeen (NFL Fanhouse) New England Patriots 2010 season preview: Aging bunch still top dogs.
- NFL.com New England Patriots Season Preview. It's back to underdog status for the Pats.
- NFL.com Rookie performers: Preseason Week 3. Rob Gronkowski included, but no Brandon Tate. (2.58 min. video)
- Dan Arkush (Pro Football Weekly) Rating the backup quarterbacks.
- Ben Stockwell (Pro Football Focus) Good news/Bad news: New England Patriots.
- Judy Battista (NY Times) A call for more patience and for more hustle.
- Andy Barall (NY Times) Unintended consequences of NFL umpire repositioning.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Refresher on the "vested veteran" guarantee.
- Brian Burke (NY Times) Why passing is more important than running in the NFL.
- Peter King (SI) MMQB - Tuesday edition: Matt Leinart's future in Arizona could be on shaky ground.
- Tim Graham (ESPN) What should we insure around the AFC East?
- Kerry J. Byrne (Cold Hard Football Facts) Rex Ryan: world class or donkey's ass?
VIEW FROM NEW YORK
- Brian Lewis (NY Post) Giants running short on time to get in regular-season mode.
- Zack Berman (The Star-Ledger) Giants face another 3-4 defense before opening season against 4-3 teams.
- Michael Eisen (Giants.com) Final dress rehearsal.
- Ralph Vacchiano (NY Daily News) NY Giants place veteran QB Jim Sorgi on injured reserve; Rhett Bomar to back up Eli Manning.
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With regards to Wilhite, its difficult to say how effective he can be in this system
On the one hand, given the fact the corners (Bodden aside) were somewhat in flux last year, Wilhite often found himself matched up against the opponents No.1 receiver (Reggie Wayne anyone?), something he is obviously not equipped to do at this stage, so I don’t think the coaching staff put him in the best position to succeed. At the same time, watching Wilhite he shows a propensity to make the same mistakes over again, something BB doesn’t have much patience for.
Ellis Hobbs-syndrome.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Vince
It’s the only way you can give back," Wilfork said afterward, when he composed himself. "The first thing I thought about was my parents. How proud they would be of me. It was like I was looking right at them in the crowd. So, that was why it was so hard for me to talk. … Everybody does a lot of things in the community for the Patriots or for themselves or whatever it may be. It’s not just me. It’s everybody. I’m going to accept the award on all our behalf.
“I never looked for anything in return. …The things I do and my wife do…. We do it for the community, and I knew what it was growing up to not having anything, to be struggling, to grow up poor. I had both parents, (but I knew other kids) who grew up with both parents out of work, not knowing where your next meal was coming from.
“…It’s more than money. It’s priceless. All it is, is a little time. We’re blessed to be in the situation we’re in. Being able to give back, even if it is financial, of just a face. We’re all celebrities, famous, however you want to call it. A kid looks at us as a celebrity or famous person. To brighten up kids, even parents, to brighten up their faces, I get joy and satisfaction. That’s my gift. Not an award. But It’s a hell of an award.
As Mr. Sloan always says, there is no "I" in team, but there is an "I" in pie. And there's an "I" in meat pie. Anagram of meat is team... I don't know what he's talking about. --Shaun of the Dead
by JohnHannahRules on Sep 1, 2010 12:05 PM EDT reply actions
Thanks for posting that
Vince is just a great guy all around and well-deserving of the award.
Keep the faith!
that article has just become my main reason why i do not want wilhite to be on this team
but i would keep him b/c of the bodden injury…need to trade for a cb or pick one up…if whealty is injured
Non Sibi Sed Patriae.
I love my ZX-6r Kawasaki.
I bleed Scarlet and Grey...A Buckeye for Life
Whilhite and Wheatley are still young
But I’d agree both really need to step up quickly, IE Thursday night, to have relevance on the team this year.
One or both could be default, but then again there may be some free agent/roster cut options beyond Law or Springs
I've got no problem with Wilhite as long as he is down the depth chart.
Putting him in the top 2 doesn’t make sense, and not even in the top 3 against most teams.
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 Sep 1, 2010 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions
a lot of the time wilhite
has good coverage but the problem is he never makes a play on the ball he is always 1 yard short. i think wheatley is the better corner.
He also doesn't have the speed to catch up to a receiver that has passed him.
He’ll provide the two yard escort to the end zone, though.
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 Sep 1, 2010 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions
That's where I see him. I'd rather have him as a 4th than a lot of other guys in the league.
If he could close, he’d be a much better corner.
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 Sep 1, 2010 6:01 PM EDT up reply actions
the secondary would have a major hole if he were in top 3
wilhite takes it in the butt the most from us on cb’s
but this is only his second year so i will need to remember that when judging him
i think the BB and patriots org takes that into account
he may come up a yard short and get torched many times but he may progress to become a decent #4 cb and eventual #3
This is his third year.
The wonder twins got drafted in 2008.
Butler in 2009.
McCourty in 2010.
Not only that, but Wilhite saw significant playing time in 2008 (16 games) (as the eventual #2) and 2009 (14 games) (started as #3, with Bodden and Springs as 1 and 2). He’s had at least a dozen starts.
He’s the only guy left in the secondary that can say that. Wheatley had 1 start (or maybe 2) in 2008. I know he started the Colts game. That was it. He was out the rest of 2008, and didn’t get playing time most of 2009.
Butler got a start or two (over Wilhite) at the end of 2009.
He may get a bit better, but he has no huge upside. Target him and his man will catch the ball. If the man is past him, then better hope Meriweather is around or it’s a TD. He’ll stay with his guy and that’s about it.
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 Sep 1, 2010 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions
i didn't know that
it’s worse than i thought
all that playing time should have at least made him OK for 3rd and 4th by now
if wheatley plays ok and stays healthy that will phase wilhite out next year
the 4th cb should eventually have potential to be 3rd cb so drafting a younger player makes sense
These are the fastest 40 times I can find listed:
Wheatley is listed as 4.37 at the combine (4.29/4.38 – with/against the wind – at pro day).
Arrington did 4.38 at his pro day.
McCourty did 4.38 at the combine.
Wilhite did 4.39 at the combine.
Butler did 4.41 at his pro day.
Wilhite’s speed seems to be on par with the rest of the CBs. He just doesn’t play like it.
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 Sep 1, 2010 7:08 PM EDT up reply actions
hhmmmmmmm !!
there is speed vs quickness
a good cb needs both but quickness is more important than straight line speed
shuttle test may be better to determine how quick they are
Wheatley killed that test
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 Sep 2, 2010 12:27 AM EDT up reply actions
I agree.
Some guys are still fast with pads. Some guys fall way off. Playing speed.
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 Sep 2, 2010 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions
nfl can't touch spikes
a) someone else released that video
b) it was done in college
Non Sibi Sed Patriae.
I love my ZX-6r Kawasaki.
I bleed Scarlet and Grey...A Buckeye for Life
when is the the final 53 man cut ?
Non Sibi Sed Patriae.
I love my ZX-6r Kawasaki.
I bleed Scarlet and Grey...A Buckeye for Life
saturday … very very late saturday … we’ll be waiting and waiting and waiting, twiddling our thumbs, very frustrated … then will just give up and go to sleep
Hey fellas, i'm just about to make a division bet parlay that i do every year and need your help for the afc east
With the injuries that have occured on the defensive side, do you think that they are bad enough to put the dolphins or jets over the top?
I had the Patriots as a lock but i’m getting more and more scared as we get closer to the season (preseason hype?)
It's may be tight
On the Jets’ table, with Revis holding out and rumors surrounding Antonio Cromartie’s hip injury resurfacing I’m not sure their corners are any more stable than the Pats at this point and the Jets offense hasn’t shown anything in preseason so far.
No surprise where my loyalty lies, but my money would stay on the Brady, Belichick and the Pats still eking their way to the top this season.
Keep the faith!
Talent-wise our corners are good enough.
They’re going to have to learn on the fly, though, and not make the same mistakes twice.
It almost makes me wonder whether Sanders will see more field time, because he tends to talk more on the field and get guys set up.
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 Sep 1, 2010 4:20 PM EDT reply actions
if i were betting, i’m pretty sure that whoever i picked, i would lose it
so in that situation, your sure bet would be to do the opposite
since i am not betting, the odds increase that i would be right
i think with or without bodden, they will be hard fought games
i think the patriots will have the best offense with miami and jets following
on defense, the jets are more matured while the patriots or miami following
i don’t like picking patriots because that may be who i want to win
but my inner sense is that patriots will eek by them with too much offense
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