Looking ahead, Williamson sees two things to monitor with Jones – tapping his versatility and the potential of opponents devoting more resources to slow him down. “We’ll see him do more as Bill Belichick gains more comfort level with him – standing up as a 3-4 outside linebacker or even bumping inside as a 3-4 defensive end at times,” Williamson said. “He’s really a 4-3 end now, and clearly the best one on the team, and clearly the best defensive rookie in the league.
Dennis & Callahan talk Patriots with Mike Lombardi (by WEEIVideo)
(Source: https://www.youtube.com/)
Talib has the talent to be shutdown CB – New England Patriots Blog – ESPN Boston
Talib has the talent to be shutdown CB – New England Patriots Blog – ESPN Boston
What makes Talib a capable “play on an island” cornerback is that he has the build, athleticism, and instincts to lock down an opponent without safety help. He’s fast enough to run with linear threats and has a loose pair of hips that allow him to easily transition in his movements and back toward the football. A talking point among some in relation to the secondary issues experienced in New England this year has been cornerbacks not turning their head back to the football. Talib, because of his ability to leverage defenders with his length and hip fluidity, does well to turn back to the football at the right time. He has very good ball skills, with 18 interceptions through the first four-plus seasons of his career.
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Are the Patriots going “all in” acquiring Aqib Talib?
On Thursday the Patriots acquired Aqib Talib and a 2013 seventh-round pick for a 2013 fourth-round pick, in a move directly aimed at improving their single biggest trouble spot.
A fourth round pick is fairly significant compensation for a player currently serving a suspension, and with a history of meatball moves.
But at this point in Tom Brady’s career, why not?
The secondary is clearly a weakness for this team and let’s be honest, the only missing ingredient from being a real Super Bowl favorite.
Talib might work out. He might not and walk at the end of the season leaving the Pats holding on to a seventh round draft pick that they gave up a fourth for. We can worry about that in February.
But let’s imagine a world in which he does work out. Most experts seem to think he’s the best defensive back on the Patriots roster the day he walks through the door. That might be a little bold, but there’s no question Talib has talent and size.
To get back to the Super Bowl the Pats will have to shut down some combination of Joe Flacco, Ben Roethlisberger, Peyton Manning and Matt Schaub. All of those teams can fling it.
The Pats won’t be so lucky to get a Tim Tebow quarterbacked team in the divisional round. And you can bet whoever they face is going to go after them through the air.
Some think a 4th round pick is too much to give up, but since they lack a 5th and 6th rounder in 2013 it’s not like they had a lot of options. And those picks in the first three rounds could easily be traded down to acquire more mid-round picks if the Pats want to round out their selections.
The Pats history of poor drafting has left me viewing draft picks more as raffle tickets anyway. And at this point the Pats can no longer continue to select ten players every April. There’s not going to be same turnover of veterans like there was in 2008 and 2009. The Patriots are young now, and better served to target specific selections like they did in 2012 with Chandler Jones and Dont’a Hightower.
If Talib can just solidify one corner position the trade will be well worth it. You can’t underestimate the impact having one good corner can have through the rest of the secondary. Not to say Talib is Revis, but it certainly would allow the Patriots to roll coverages and give help in other areas.
The outcome of this trade cannot be solely judged on whether or not the Pats win the Super Bowl. If their pass defense improves, and they’re able to knock off a couple pass-happy teams I will consider it a success.
But winning a Super Bowl takes 53 guys all on the same page. Can Talib get on the same page? That’s the question. But I like the aggressiveness, especially since Brady isn’t getting any younger and the secondary seemingly not getting any better.
Counting Down the Top 5 Patriots 4th Round Draft Picks | Bleacher Report
The deal is similar to what we saw in 2003 when the Patriots acquired nose tackle Ted Washington from the Chicago Bears … or in 2007 when they acquired receiver Randy Moss from the Oakland Raiders … or in 2010 when they acquired receiver Deion Branch from the Seattle Seahawks. In each case, the price was a fourth-rounder. In each case, the player addressed a major trouble spot for a legitimate championship-contending team.
