Defensive GT Review, GTripp's 6,001st

What are your thoughts on H.B. Blades? I liked what I saw from him in his rookie year, do you think that he can play MLB if necessary, rather than move Rocky?

I think I remember H.B. playing MLB last year in preseason. There were comparisons made of him and London Fletcher being the same height, weight etc.

I think I remember H.B. playing MLB last year in preseason. There were comparisons made of him and London Fletcher being the same height, weight etc.

I remember that also, but IMO he did really well last year when he had to fill in during the season when Rocky went down...

What are your thoughts on H.B. Blades? I liked what I saw from him in his rookie year, do you think that he can play MLB if necessary, rather than move Rocky?All due respect to what Marcus Washington has meant to this franchise over the last five seasons, I think Blades should be starting at SLB right now.

I know Blades played in the middle in college, but I think Rocky's skill set would make him a better MLB than Blades. Plus in our nickel formations, Rocky and London both play between the tackles and Rocky, IMO has outperformed London in these situations. I don't think there would be any dropoff with Rocky at MLB and Blades in at SLB.

Blades' weaknesses right now include pass rushing and sideline to sideline range, and the latter would be a big problem as Blache's MLB.

Carlos Rogers didn't have many interceptions at Auburn. Why? Because teams didn't throw at him often. I'm glad he's living up to the 9th overall selection. The other two corners taken higher in that draft were Adam Jones and Antrel Rolle. Who would you rather have?Carlos and Pac Man are about equivelents on the field, and Pac Man has added value in the return game, but given the off-the-field stuff, I would take them in this order if I had 2005 all over again:

1) Rogers
2) Jones
3) Rolle

I also would not have invested a first round pick in either of the last two, for different reasons.

Pacman '06:
Targeted 69 times
37% SR against, NFL Rank: 2
5.4 YPA against, NFL Rank: 1

Rogers '08
Targeted 25 times
32% SR against
4.7 YPA against

So, it's only been 25 targets for Rogers, which is a small sample, but his season would have been the best year for a CB in either 2006 or 2007, and it's not dissimilar to his 2007 half-season.

Is it time to call Carlos Rogers a shutdown corner? I'm not yet sure he can handle elite receivers, but then again, I'm not sure the elite receivers in today's game can be covered by any CB anymore. Only Burress and Fitzgerald have done anything against Rogers this season.

Is it time to call Carlos Rogers a shutdown corner? I'm not yet sure he can handle elite receivers, but then again, I'm not sure the elite receivers in today's game can be covered by any CB anymore.

I was just going to say that I don't know that there is such a thing as a shutdown corner anymore. Rogers is the closest thing to it right now especially considering that he's physical against the run too.