![]() Not what you're looking for, as Belichick might say. That was a bottom-12 figure in the league among corners with at least 400 snaps last year, per Pro Football Focus. but who also missed 18.9 percent of his tackle attempts as a rookie. Belichick also drafted spindly Arizona State corner Jack Jones in the fourth round last year, who ended up playing a key role in the Patriots defense. More modern approach?īut the Gonzalez selection seems like a sign that Belichick has been willing to bend in that regard. ![]() Tackling."Įven when considering a more modern perspective of what Belichick wants from his corners, Patriots safety Devin McCourty told Next Pats that " the aggressiveness to be willing to tackle" is a must. Later in the same set of scouting notes: "Five potential problems (at cornerback): 1. "Cannot put guys on the field who cannot tackle," he added. Back in the 1990s, when he led the Browns, the first thing Belichick listed on his scouting wish list at corner? "Tackle and force guys." ![]() That doesn't sound like the kind of corner Bill Belichick has typically sought in the draft. When I asked the NFC assistant if Gonzalez's tackling "issue" was skill-related or willingness-related, the reply was, "Not willing." "Gonzalez is 6-2, 200 (pounds), but Witherspoon is the one who plays like he's 6-2, 200." "Watch how he plays and watch how Gonzalez plays," I was told. 5 overall, and whether or not his size (5-foot-11, 184 pounds) would prevent him from being a high first-rounder. That married up with what I'd been told by an AFC defensive coach weeks earlier when asking about Illinois corner Devon Witherspoon, taken by the Seahawks at No. ![]() "Biggest issue is tackling and just overall being physical." "Athletic ability off the charts," said one NFC defensive coach. "I'm not really sure why," said a college scouting director.īut there were questions in other corners of the league about his makeup, his confidence level and his on-field tenacity. "Very surprised," said one pro scouting director. 14 overall, or would they also take a pass as well? What led to his slide? Physicality in question Would he be an option for the Patriots at No. I texted NFL executives and defensive coaches in the league to try to discern why. Yet the first 10 picks came and went last Thursday and Gonzalez was still waiting to hear his name called. Next Pats: Drafting Christian Gonzalez is a sign that Bill Belichick is evolving | Listen & Subscribe | Watch on YouTube He played a premium position, and he possessed rare physical gifts to allow him to match up - and potentially erase - opposing No. The 33rd Team ( relying on input from former NFL general managers), NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah ( whose yearly hit rate is eye-popping) and Sports Info Solutions (an analytics site that utilizes both traditional scouting methods and advanced metrics to rank players) all deemed Gonzalez as worthy of being one of the first few non-quarterbacks off the board. Perry: Gonzalez pick is a sign of Belichick's evolving demands at CB originally appeared on NBC Sports BostonĪnyone paying attention to the media-based conversation around this year's draft class would've noticed that Oregon corner Christian Gonzalez looked like a no-doubt top-10 talent.
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