Like it or not

[Zman5]

Bates wasn't a starter at safety. He was kept around because he was a difference maker on Special Teams.

Heath isn't a difference maker on Special Teams and he has been embarrassed as a safety.

If Bates was a "very average safety", then that's way better than anything Heath will ever be at the position.

Really? After only watching him play handful of games where he had both good and bad moments? You must be a super scout.

 

[zrinkill]

Heath is more athletic and Bates was bigger. It remains to be seen if Heath has Bates' work ethic and the heart.

Heath is listed as the same height but 5 pounds heavier than Bates

 

[Zman5]

Heath is listed as the same height but 5 pounds heavier than Bates

I don't know where you got your info but DC.com has Heath listed as 209. Bates played at 215-220 or so.

 

[Zman5]

NFL.com lists Bates as 6'1" and 213lbs.

 

[CrownCowboy]

Really? After only watching him play handful of games where he had both good and bad moments? You must be a super scout.

Well one thing is for sure. If u honestly think he should be a part of any long term plans here, then it's a good thing u don't work for our front office.

Good moments? If heath had good moments then what in the world would u call his bad moments?

 

[theSHOW]

Heath is listed as the same height but 5 pounds heavier than Bates

then he must not be buff. lol

 

[Zman5]

Well one thing is for sure. If u honestly think he should be a part of any long term plans here, then it's a good thing u don't work for our front office.

Good moments? If heath had good moments then what in the world would u call his bad moments?

Ok you are right. Ripping the ball out while tackling Bush is a bad moment. Chasing down Megatron from behind and stopping him from scoring a TD is a bad moment.

I hope he has more of these bad moments.

 

[CrownCowboy]

Ok you are right. Ripping the ball out while tackling Bush is a bad moment. Chasing down Megatron from behind and stopping him from scoring a TD is a bad moment.

I hope he has more of these bad moments.

LOL. Do you really want me to sit here and list Heath's horribleness?

Look, you obviously like the guy and liking below average players like Heath is exactly why we haven't won anything in the last 17 years.

Most people know that Heath is nothing but a fill in. Then there are people like you....

 

[Picksix]

LOL. Do you really want me to sit here and list Heath's horribleness?

Look, you obviously like the guy and liking below average players like Heath is exactly why we haven't won anything in the last 17 years.

Most people know that Heath is nothing but a fill in. Then there are people like you....

"Most people" meaning who, exactly? The fans? The media? Perhaps, but what do they matter? Only matters what the coaches think. I don't personally believe that the team sees Heath as a future 10-year starter, but I think they envision him as something more than just a fill in.

Besides, if it turns out the guy can play, what does it matter? Yeah, he's no superstar now, but crying out loud, he's barely into his career. Give a guy a chance. Don't be so quick to write people off just because they don't show much right from the start.

 

[CrownCowboy]

"Most people" meaning who, exactly? The fans? The media? Perhaps, but what do they matter? Only matters what the coaches think. I don't personally believe that the team sees Heath as a future 10-year starter, but I think they envision him as something more than just a fill in.

If you don't see him as a long term answer, then he is a temporary fill in until we find someone talented enough to take the spot.

You know it, because you just said it and anyone with a brain knows it, including the coaches.

 

[Picksix]

If you don't see him as a long term answer, then he is a temporary fill in until we find someone talented enough to take the spot.

You know it, because you just said it and anyone with a brain knows it, including the coaches.

Just because they don't see him as the next Darren Woodson doesn't mean he can't be a valuable contributor for several years (like Bates was). I just don't see why you seem to take such offense at the idea that Heath can be a decent player.

Oh, and when you start calling people morons on a fan forum, you don't make yourself look any better than the people you're insulting.

 

[CrownCowboy]

Just because they don't see him as the next Darren Woodson doesn't mean he can't be a valuable contributor for several years (like Bates was). I just don't see why you seem to take such offense at the idea that Heath can be a decent player.

Oh, and when you start calling people morons on a fan forum, you don't make yourself look any better than the people you're insulting.

He can be a contributor, I never said he couldn't be. He has contributed some, but has been a liability on way more occasions. Comparing him to someone like Bill Bates and what he did for years for us on Special Teams is laughable in my opinion.

My contention is that he isn't the long term answer at safety in my opinion and that he couldn't carry Bates' jock strap when it comes to Special Teams. The OP in this thread is already comparing him to Bates and that is ridiculous.

I stopped caring what other people think of me a long time ago. If they don't like what I have to say they can simply ignore me.

 

[Picksix]

He can be a contributor, I never said he couldn't be. He has contributed some, but has been a liability on way more occasions. Comparing him to someone like Bill Bates and what he did for years for us on Special Teams is laughable in my opinion.

My contention is that he isn't the long term answer at safety in my opinion and that he couldn't carry Bates' jock strap when it comes to Special Teams. The OP in this thread is already comparing him to Bates and that is ridiculous.

I stopped caring what other people think of me a long time ago. If they don't like what I have to say they can simply ignore me.

There's no reason he can't be like Bates. We've come to romanticize him somewhat because of his toughness and leadership, but I remember when he started out. A lot like Heath. Some talent. Ton of heart. Better tackler, but slower than a slug. Couldn't cover me. No business being a starter. Eventually developed into what he became.

 

[CrownCowboy]

There's no reason he can't be like Bates. We've come to romanticize him somewhat because of his toughness and leadership, but I remember when he started out. A lot like Heath. Some talent. Ton of heart. Better tackler, but slower than a slug. Couldn't cover me. No business being a starter. Eventually developed into what he became.

If he develops into something eventually then I will stand corrected, but to compare him NOW to Bates on Special Teams is where the problem is.

 

[Zman5]

LOL. Do you really want me to sit here and list Heath's horribleness?

Look, you obviously like the guy and liking below average players like Heath is exactly why we haven't won anything in the last 17 years.

Most people know that Heath is nothing but a fill in. Then there are people like you....

There are people who actually watch and understand football. Then there are people like you....

Thanks for a good laugh though.

 

[CrownCowboy]

There are people who actually watch and understand football. Then there are people like you....

Thanks for a good laugh though.

Oh I'm sure you watch football, but if you think Jeff Heath will be our starting safety for years to come then you can take that part about understanding football out of your previous statement.

Seriously, why don't you just go watch some Jeff Heath highlights of that entire Saints game. Go ahead and watch the entire Lions game as well.

 

[TTexasTT]

Oh I'm sure you watch football, but if you think Jeff Heath will be our starting safety for years to come then you can take that part about understanding football out of your previous statement.

Seriously, why don't you just go watch some Jeff Heath highlights of that entire Saints game. Go ahead and watch the entire Lions game as well.

Though I have my doubts about Heath ever developing into anything spectacular he has shown some really nice skills. Getting murdered by Megatron or Brees isnt exactly anything new to some of the best in the game. He seems to have some nice tools and to make improvements every time out. Hes outta StumpSwamp Institute University, its not like hes going to be well versed in NFL Safety play at this point.
Personally I think Wilcox is a better option but who really knows at this point. His history at the position isnt much polished than Heaths. Im not going to be upset to see Heath out there as long as he keeps improving.

 

[T-RO]

Games started:
1983 1
1984 2
1985 2
1986 15
1987 11
1988 16
1989 0
1990 0
1991 0
1992 0
1993 0
1994 0
1995 0
1996 0
1997 0

That says it. Special teams demon he truly was, though.

 

[CooterBrown]

I can't believe Heath gets all that hate, while Wilcox, who has done NOTHING as a safety, is expected to be a starter. There is a reason Heath is starting. Since I'm not in the coaches meetings or their inner circle, I'm not privy to that reason, but as a fan, I have seen far more positive things in Heath's play than in Wilcox'. At least Heath is always around the ball, Wilcox rarely was.

 

[Picksix]

If he develops into something eventually then I will stand corrected, but to compare him NOW to Bates on Special Teams is where the problem is.

I agree, it's a bit early for that.