He has struggled and doesn't seem to be a fit in this offense. Gailey has them (guards) pulling a lot and Willie is a complete mess when it comes to that. He can't move at all. Winters is a better fit and his blocking is pretty much the same overall, just more inconsistent but he's learning.
Probably not but it's not like he's gotten burned everytime he's played..the problem is he's barely played.
IMO, if Milliner stays healthy he will soon be our #2 CB and Cro will be at best a situational player only
He was actually quite ok at the end of the 2013 season for like 3 weeks lol until he got hurt.....again
Hopefully Winter can build on these last few games with experience from the rest of this year. He's been much better this year than last. Hopefully come week 1 next season he'll become the definite starter.
Better than okay. Wasn't he defensive rookie of the month or something? He's got the talent to be a solid corner, just needs to be consistent, and healthy. The difference between Cro and Milliner is that Milliner can leave a cushion and still jump the ball or make the tackle.
Defensive player of the week and then rookie of the month so he was damn good at the end for a few games. He did pretty good against Josh Gordon I believe. But that was a long time ago. He's got the upside and the skill to be a #1 corner, but considering he's made of glass he will probably never live up to it. Doubt he'll ever finish 2 full seasons straight or even play more than 10-12 games per season over 2-3 years. There will always be something with him. Same genetics as Sean Lee.
Colon has not been struggling. He's been a good contributor this season. i agree he's certainly not fleet of foot, but has been very physical and very reliable. Winters has a huge test ahead of him this Thurs against a stout line and confusing protections (we need Mangold!) i hope he is up for it. if he plays to his potential, we could have a long term answer at the position.
Come on now, we all love Willie but let's not go there. He wasn't good or even average. Most of the stuff he was asked to do he was terrible at. He can't pull which our guards did like half the time. Before he got out of his stance guys were already hitting Ivory in our backfield. Before he got to the 2nd level to block a linebacker or safety guys were already in the shower. In pass protection he's horrible at picking up blitzes and stunts because he can't move. I'm not gonna call him out for being old or out of shape or hurt. The poor guy is a beaten dog, he has to retire and I'm sure that he will. I feel bad for him and I don't know about his knees but if he were healthy he could be a decent "phone booth" (as Mayock would say) guy where all he has to do is stay in his lane and block people. He's capable of doing that, he does it pretty well. But in Chan's offense he's being asked to move so much he's just not a fit. But that's just me. Watching Winters it's a day and night difference between the two. He's flying around, trying to knock over linebackers and safeties, he's athletic, he generates a push, something Willie can't do anymore at this point. He's not as consistent, he will whiff at times and look pretty bad 1-2 per game but he's young, he's getting better. And again, I love Willie, high character guy, loved by everybody, didn't get paid shit this year (vet minimum)...hopefully he sticks around, whether as an assistant or something like that, maybe in the NY media (SNY), something. But I think our team got better with this move unless Winters' play falls off (it's not like he has a history of sucking).
i appreciate the write up, and agree that Colon is not very fleet of foot. i think you are greatly exaggerating the extent of that though. He trap blocks fine, which we do a lot. if he has to pull out beyond the edge, or get downfield for a screen, it's more of an effort. but Mangold and Carpenter don't exactly look graceful in open spaces either. the job at that point is to just get in the way of defenders. i've been following Colon's play very closely since the preseason. thought he started the year up very physical, very consistent, and very reliable......while completely eliminating the penalties that had everyone up in arms. first couple games of the season he had a very good impact. after missing the Dolphins game, i thought he rebounded with a tremendous performance against Washington. at least 3 times that game, he literally hook slammed a guy to the ground, and then jumped on top of him for the pancake. one led to a Ivory TD, another to one of Ivory's long runs of the day. and as he did all season, he kept Fitz upright. didn't let up a sack all year, and only 1 QB hit. the last two games, i think maybe the knee injury was becoming more of an issue, which i assume is why he's now on IR. he couldn't play effectively through it any longer. i'd say overall his play was avg, with the experience and leadership making his impact above average. it's a loss, and and it's also a loss for our depth, as Dozier becomes our primary backup (and he looked terrible in preseason frankly). i agree about Winters though. he's strong as hell, very physical, and decently athletic. his pass pro is shaky, but his trap blocking is excellent. i've seen progress this year for sure. but he needs to show he can be reliable, like Colon has been, and avoid getting Fitz killed out there. we'll see. i think Winters will struggle at times, but could show enough growth by seasons end to keep the starting gig next season.
Also, one of my favorite guys got waived to make room for another backup safety who won't last on the roster for more than a week. Really upset about this. There was absolutely no need to keep Bowen on the roster. Over Barnes? Our only true backup NT? A guy with loads of potential? Calling it right now, he's heading to Buffalo if they even get a chance to claim him. Somebody else probably will.
We're really going to miss his 1 nose tackle snap a game not only this year but also next year as we continue to move further away from a 3-4.
whats worse is that Buffalo is definitely, without a doubt, going to sign him and play him 2 snaps a game. Gasp! the horror
if Winters has a good game tonight against this Dline, we will be in great shape going forward. let's hope.. ^^ also agree i would have cut Bowen over Barnes no doubt at all. at least Barnes helps beef the goal line and short ydg fronts. i don't know how Bowen has lasted this long.
