New England Patriots: A Too-Early Look at Training Camp Battles

Mike  Dussault by Columnist Written on May 30, 2008
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Sanders and Meriweather are the future and it looks like Meriweather was just starting to come around at the end of last season. If he can hold on to the ball in 2008 and continue to bring the hard hits he could be a star.

 

Rumors out of Foxboro are that Belichick has an open mind when it comes to the Cornerbacks this year, not even Ellis Hobbs is assured a starting position.

 

In the past, the Pats have been able to get to the Super Bowl with rookies at the corner position (see Randall Gay in 2004) and this year could be a repeat of that. Both Terrence Wheatley and Jonthan Wilhite are cut from the Ellis Hobbs mold: small and quick.

 

Vet Fernando Bryant adds a security blanket of experience should the rookies not “get it” from the start. Free agent vets Jason Webster and Lewis Sanders could also be in the mix. Replacing Samuel won’t be easy but Bryant could be a surprise and if the rookies grasp the system the Pats could be looking good at the corner position for the next few years.

 

Our probably-too-early prediction: Hobbs and Bryant start, Wheatley or Meriweather serve as the nickel with Wilhite/Webster adding depth.

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written on May 30, 2008 Preview/Prediction

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