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Everybody is giving Victor Cruz (two years), Hakeem Nicks (three years), Mario Manningham (four years), and TE Jake Ballard (two years) the edge over the Patriots kiddie corps at defensive back.
Of any of the Patriots five Super Bowls, this is the least experienced, by far, of any receiving corps Belichick has faced. If there is a group that could be worked over with different looks, this is the one. There is no stud veteran here - Nicks is great (and I'm a huge Nicks fan as a fellow Tar heel) but he's no TO, Torry Holt, Isaac Bruce, Rickey Proehl, Steve Smith or even Plaxico Burress - yet.
Two of these guys were undrafted (Ballard and Cruz) and they have the same experience in a big game like this as the Patriots defensive backs.
The chances for game changing screwups is probably greater with blown coverages by the defense in a game like this, but those young receivers have a lot to prove themselves.
The athleticism and speed is almost a wash on both sides of the ball.
Of any of the Patriots five Super Bowls, this is the least experienced, by far, of any receiving corps Belichick has faced. If there is a group that could be worked over with different looks, this is the one. There is no stud veteran here - Nicks is great (and I'm a huge Nicks fan as a fellow Tar heel) but he's no TO, Torry Holt, Isaac Bruce, Rickey Proehl, Steve Smith or even Plaxico Burress - yet.
Two of these guys were undrafted (Ballard and Cruz) and they have the same experience in a big game like this as the Patriots defensive backs.
The chances for game changing screwups is probably greater with blown coverages by the defense in a game like this, but those young receivers have a lot to prove themselves.
The athleticism and speed is almost a wash on both sides of the ball.