CB Robert McClain signing with Pats; UConn alum was w/ Falcons last 3 years

Deus Irae said:

Good point. Fletcher/McClain is a significant upgrade over Revis/Browner, and only crazy people would be disappointed in these two signings...

All the rational people are currently popping the corks on bottles of champagne, as these signings have guaranteed a SB win in the upcoming season.

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There is literally nobody saying that, at all. And there are ways to win a Super Bowl that do not include having Revis and Browner on the roster. I know you hate the Revis move, that's understandable. He's gone. Just like Mankins, just like Welker. Have to learn to get over some of this stuff.

So between Butler, Arrington, Ryan, Dennard, Swanson, and now Chekwa, Fletcher and McClain... I don't see a #1 guy there, but with good coaching I can envision the #2 and slot corner spots being perfectly fine with good depth. The question just continues to be who's #1?

Hercules Rockefeller said:

There is literally nobody saying that, at all. And there are ways to win a Super Bowl that do not include having Revis and Browner on the roster. I know you hate the Revis move, that's understandable. He's gone. Just like Mankins, just like Welker. Have to learn to get over some of this stuff.

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My post had to do with the post I quoted. It used Revis/Browner only to make a point, not to bemoan their absence.

And I'll never be over Macho Grande

Deus Irae said:

Glad I could be there.

When the Patriots make a signing people like, it gets pimped up.

When the Patriots make a signing people don't like, it gets criticized.

That's the way it is. That's the way it should be. That's what message boards are for. Tossing out the "wailing and gnashing" crap after a suspect signing is a ridiculous response and merits a ridiculous answer in kind.

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He may be a bad player, hell he may be a terrible player for all we know, but this is not a suspect signing. Marcus Cannon was a suspect signing. Josh McCown is on his second extremely suspect signing in the last year.

There is likely to be no financial ramifications to McClain not making the team, so he is camp fodder. They bring 90 guys to camp. There are unlikely to be 90 guys better at this point, so why not? He may be awful, he may make the team, he may simply play special teams for four preseason games and get cut. But I hardly see how it is suspect.

I have to imagine Bill will draft a CB high and let everyone compete in camp.

still hoping for a Talib like trade

Deus Irae said:

My post had to do with the post I quoted. It used Revis/Browner only to make a point, not to bemoan their absence.

And I'll never be over Macho Grande

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With that nickname, I guess I cannot blame you. I loved that big burly beast as well, and still do.

more camp fodder

Hercules Rockefeller said:

He may be a bad player, hell he may be a terrible player for all we know, but this is not a suspect signing. Marcus Cannon was a suspect signing. Josh McCown is on his second extremely suspect signing in the last year.

There is likely to be no financial ramifications to McClain not making the team, so he is camp fodder. They bring 90 guys to camp. There are unlikely to be 90 guys better at this point, so why not? He may be awful, he may make the team, he may simply play special teams for four preseason games and get cut. But I hardly see how it is suspect.

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Signing lousy veteran players is always suspect.

I am not thrilled with the CB signings, but if McClain gets a similar deal as Fletcher, they are just being given an opportunity to compete in camp with no guarantees to make the final 53 man roster. Who cares if they sign these guys. At best, they get a diamond from someone else's garbage. At worst, they cut these guys by the make the 53 man roster. I am betting on the latter, but how does it hurt to bring them in to see what they can do.

People are making way too much of these signings.

I wonder if Revis is looking at all these signings and decides to rejoin us so we don't look like total fools.

Froob said:

This defense is going to return to it's historically bad 3rd down rate baring some major changes here soon.

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Pats 3rd down defense

2014 - 84/209 40%

2011 - 87/202 43%

Team with Revis and Browner was only 3% better on 3rd down than that 2011 secondary.

JMC00 said:

Pats 3rd down defense

2014 - 84/209 40%

2011 - 87/202 43%

Team with Revis and and #2 Browner was only 3% better on 3rd down than that secondary that 2011 secondary.

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Really? Surprising numbers. I'm surprised there hasn't been a story about this, I'd say the run from 2008-2014 is probably the worst in NFL history for 3rd down defense. Or at least close to it.

Deus Irae said:

Glad I could be there.

When the Patriots make a signing people like, it gets pimped up.

When the Patriots make a signing people don't like, it gets criticized.

That's the way it is. That's the way it should be. That's what message boards are for. Tossing out the "wailing and gnashing" line after a suspect signing is a ridiculous response and merits a ridiculous answer in kind.

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If you say so.

JMC00 said:

Pats 3rd down defense

2014 - 84/209 40%

2011 - 87/202 43%

Team with Revis and and Browner was only 3% better on 3rd down than that secondary that 2011 secondary.

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How many of those 2011 teams gave up first downs on second down? eh? Lets not forget that the 2011 Patriots faced a murders row of elite QBs.......I will let you look them up if you like.

They faced the best of the bestin 2014.

RIpats88 said:

I have to imagine Bill will draft a CB high and let everyone compete in camp.

still hoping for a Talib like trade

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RIpats88 said:

I have to imagine Bill will draft a CB high and let everyone compete in camp.

still hoping for a Talib like trade

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No doubt Bill will draft a CB projected by most to be a late Day 2 pick, but who is expected to be a great special teams contributor. But, I still need to keep saying InBillWeTrust.

Rob0729 said:

I am not thrilled with the CB signings, but if McClain gets a similar deal as Fletcher, they are just being given an opportunity to compete in camp with no guarantees to make the final 53 man roster. Who cares if they sign these guys. At best, they get a diamond from someone else's garbage. At worst, they cut these guys by the make the 53 man roster. I am betting on the latter, but how does it hurt to bring them in to see what they can do.

People are making way too much of these signings.

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Be careful. To many this gets translated as, "These guys are better than Revis and Browner."

Deus Irae said:

Signing lousy players is always a suspect signing.

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Well I'm certainly no fan of lousy players, I was taking it from a financial standpoint but I get what you mean. I think he faces extremely long odds of making the team, especially because they will likely draft 2 DBs and bring in some UDFA's looking for the next Butler or Blue Gay.

Froob said:

Really? Surprising numbers. I'm surprised there hasn't been a story about this, I'd say the run from 2008-2014 is probably the worst in NFL history for 3rd down defense. Or at least close to it.

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Not even close. Other than a year or two of that time, both Atlanta and Jacksonville have finished below the Pats almost every year during the period of 2008-2014. There may be others, but those are the two I saw with the quick eyeball test.

Nunchucks said:

How many of those 2011 teams gave up first downs on second down? eh? Lets not forget that the 2011 Patriots faced a murders row of elite QBs.......I will let you look them up if you like.

They faced the best of the bestin 2014.

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That 2011 team gave up on average only 2.5 more 1st downs per game.

2014- 20.6
2011- 23.1

Ross12 said:

So between Butler, Arrington, Ryan, Dennard, Swanson, and now Chekwa, Fletcher and McClain... I don't see a #1 guy there, but with good coaching I can envision the #2 and slot corner spots being perfectly fine with good depth. The question just continues to be who's #1?

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You can make the strong case that a consistent #2CB isn't on that list either.