Putting Boykin in...

First game in w/reps...

An interception!
A great broken up 4th down stop.
Recovered Jacoby Jones fumble.

and did you see that missed tackle on Colts kick off return?..watch tape, # 41 missed that tackle, thank goodness for Boswell!

Thank goodness coaches seem to watching!!!

 

I mentioned that Blake whiff on the return during the game thread. Blake played tight and I liked it.

 

Tonight was easily our best performance in pass defense all season. Boykin did his job and did it well. Gay got beat once because he was guessing and guessed wrong. Blake was beaten a couple times and missed a tackle or two..but he wasn't horrible. It looked like they were alternating Blake and Cockrell. Cockrell also was beaten once and missed a tackle..but all in all that was our best effort all season. More of that please!

BTW it makes me sick that Tomlin has been so pig headed in his decision to not play Boykin. The guy is 25 years old. Why not try to develop his game? We don't exactly have a lot of long term answers in the secondary. Instead we let him ride the pine and were going to let him walk in the off season. Cockrell and Blake are clearly not cutting it as OUTSIDE corners. Maybe Boykin is the answer long term? We wouldn't know because the coaches havn't given him a chance. I hope this is his time to shine and we sign him to an extension.

 

I honestly think they want to make sure he doesn't play anywhere close to the percentage of defensive snaps so Philly doesn't get a 5th round pick. I'm still not convinced of improved secondary play as the defense was going against a 40 year old has been, I don't want to be negative but after the Seahawks game I will have trouble complimenting any part of their play until they do it against a real QB which we will see shortly.

 

True, I thought hasselback looked his age last night. Let's not name Boykin our savior just yet.

 

It's about time. Why it took so long to get him into the rotation is anyone's guess.The secondary responded well but lets not forget the pass rush was kicking in teeth last night and James Harrison was playing out of his mind!

 

He also missed the first tackle on Moncrief's big play near the end of the game, but his superior pass coverage ability over Blake and Cockrell was evident. It's exactly what we need for our playoff push.

 

You realize that it hasn't been possible for him to play 60% of the defensive snaps since last month? Play-off snaps don't count and if you're not playing a guy that may actually be better on Game Day, just to keep from giving up a draft pick while your secondary is getting burned, then this team has bigger problems than getting to the post season....

 

Pass coverage? What a novel concept!

 

i think cockrell does pretty well. i don't have a problem with him and i think he will get better. yes boykin should and should have been playing all year and maybe just maybe we would have had a chance to keep him past this season, but MT knows best. this was fun to watch but it needs to get even better if we plan on getting anywhere near #7.

 

I do too. And for the most part Blake, although he has had some terrible moments this year. I haven't seen many games this year but it usually seems like when they pass off the WR into safety help is when the problems occur. maybe another offseason in the cover 2 concepts will help everyone.

 

They used a third round draft pick for archer, do you really think they're worried about whether to give up a fourth or fifth round pick for Boykin?

 

Insert ...boykins ...here

 

Boykin's pick was a tipped ball on a pass defended by Gay. Now, he made a nice catch.... But his pick was essentially a fluke. I wouldn't rush to say "I told ya so" or say he's our CB savior just yet.

I feel like Boykin has at least made a play for some more playing time (at least in some kind of rotation like last night). We probably should of have done something similar to that a few weeks ago. Either way, let's hold off on our judgement of Boykin until he sees a larger share of reps.

 

It was a tipped ball, but Boykin seems to have a nose for the football which is refreshing. He led the Eagles in INTs a couple of years back despite playing half the time of some of the other DBs.

 

I wouldn't count on Boykin sticking around after this season.

 

Of course not, Tomlin likes to sign players like jacoby jones and vick, Boykin played well last night and he will get better as he plays in more games, I expect boykin to be around after this season and cant wait to hear MTs excuse for not keeping him if he is let go....

 

Agreed, but the EFFORT was evident! The LACK of from others has been evident also.

 

That is if Boykin even wants to come back at all. We would have to pay him well and promise him a starting gig next season for him to stay. I don't see either happening. From the team's perspective, I'm assuming Golson is the reason why Boykin won't be here next season. They spent a second round pick on Golson, so I'd be floored if he isn't pegged as the starting slot CB going into next season.

Also we won't be able to afford a bigger contract which Boykin is likely to get. We will probably re sign Gay for a few mill a year, and wouldn't be surprised if Blake is kept around for a price tag close to the minimum... We also have to think about AB, Bell, Marty, Tuitt, Beachum and DeCastro as well. Not enough money to go around. Is Boykin worth 4-5 mill a year or more? Not at the expense of one of the players listed above.

Gay, Cockrell and Golson next season will be a solid unit with Grant and Blake backing up. I'm assuming we will spend a reasonably high pick on a CB again (top 4 rounds) so that leaves a possible 6th cornerback. I actually think we can be in a pretty good spot at CB going into next season (with or without Boykin). A lot of that depends on the development of Golson and Grant, but I'm pretty high on Golson so I'd be willing to bet on him.

 

Idk that Blake's problem was a lack of effort... It seems more like a lack of skill. He tries hard, he just isn't that good. He's been put in a situation that is probably a little out of his league as a starter. I understand it was due to total suckage by C. Allen, but Blake just isn't an every down starter. He will get exposed over the long haul. He came in for spot duty last season and performed pretty well a few games at a time, but he just doesn't have the consistency to be one of the top 2 corners on our team. That's why I like this rotation with him Cockrell (who I actually like in a top 2 starter role) and Boykin. None of them are perfect fits as a #2 CB (maybe Cockerel in time), but all of them have shown enough that they should get some playing time and the coaching staff should go with the hot hand during the games.

 

Weren't you just saying the same thing last week? Or did I miss the green font?

 

Yeah I must have forgot the green.

 

Green font

 

tuitt isn't due yet. neither is bryant and one more bad test and he's out for a year. beachum may not be offered a contract. bell is coming off his second knee injury and suspension. the cap is set to increase. we lose woodley's 8 mil. of dead cap room. it may not be near as bad as you think SG. as far as next year, golson, grant, cockrell, blake would probably be the 4 returning guys i'd assume.