Pat Watkins is this years Rob Petitti?

[Charles]

How easily we forget that Pat Watkins was a 5th RD pick.

As much as I'd like our team to have found a steal in the 5th RD, it would be naive to think that 32 other teams didn't see flaws in his ability to transalte his skills into the NFL.

Somewhat similar to Rob Petitti. Some would argue that Petitti got to start because their weren't many other options available. Though he didn't play to our expectations, it was a huge feat for a 6th RD player to start 16 games in the NFL in their rookie year. Logical reasoning......he can only get better in his 2nd year, but once competing with a healthy Colombo who had draft pedigree, the competition was over once Colombo showwed he could move his feet without blinking.

When Hamlin is signed (IMHO it's a done deal just haggling over a couple of $100K. I'll eat mucho crow if I am wrong), Pat Watkins will be facing the same challenge. Their is no substituition for experience and proven ability (Hamlin lived up to his draft status).

I saw some good things from Watkin, as I did from Petitti. Petitti could be down right nasty when he got latched onto a defender. Watkin's showed some flashes, but Hamlin has played various Safety roles on a championship level defense. His recognition skills are light years ahead of Watkins at this point.

Also we might also be giving Watkins too much luv because at least showed some clue in the secondary as compared to his predecessors. Petitti also enjoyed teh same luxury.

Anyway enough of my rant!!! Go Cowboys

 

[adamknite]

you might be right. I still wanna see what Watkins has, but we have been throwing just players out there ever since Woody left and we jsut might have to sign a vet when it comes down to it.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

I said that very thing before and just like not saying bigrob was the greaatest dont expect this to be a popular idea.

 

[joseephuss]

Good points. I still think it was worth keeping Petitti over keeping a has been/never was in Fabini. Hopefully, if it comes to a decision of keeping Watkins or some has been/never was at FS, they keep Watkins. If they can find better options, that would be fine, too.

 

[theogt]

The difference is that Rob was never considered a top talent. Watkins was universally regarded as a 2nd/3rd rounder who just happened to slip in the draft, presumably because of his height alone.

That said, I love the Hamlin signing.

 

[aikemirv]

I don't have any problem signing Hamlin at all. I also don't have any problem with Watkins. The two can coexist because Watkins is very good on special teams too. We should have let Davis walk last year when NO wanted to sign him.

Watkins played well at the end of the year, not so sure you could say that Pettiti played well any of his rookie year.

 

[sago1]

I really do believe for what it's worth that Watkins will some day soon be our starting FS for years to come and will be a very good one. But to expect a 5the round pick to become our starting FS in his rookie season was beyond expectation--which admittedly produced as a result of his good play in TC. The poster is right that Hamlin brings a lot more experience to his game which Watkins will learn with a little time. If we do sign Hamlin, I just hope there's an out which allows us to let him go if in a year or 2 Watkins really shows of ability many of us believe he has. But maybe we can't run the risk that Watkins will actually need another year to become the starter we hoping for and in the meantime Hamlin hopefully will get the job done for us.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

The difference is that Rob was never considered a top talent. Watkins was universally regarded as a 2nd/3rd rounder who just happened to slip in the draft, presumably because of his height alone.

That said, I love the Hamlin signing.

based on draft guides maybe not on the nfl clubs. sorry just because nfldraftblitz said that he wsa rated that does not mean teams did.

 

[tomson75]

The difference is that Rob was never considered a top talent. Watkins was universally regarded as a 2nd/3rd rounder who just happened to slip in the draft, presumably because of his height alone.

That said, I love the Hamlin signing.

Hamlin Signed?

 

[theogt]

based on draft guides maybe not on the nfl clubs. sorry just because nfldraftblitz said that he wsa rated that does not mean teams did.

If it was only 1 or 2 draft guides that had him rated that high you would have a point. The reason your point isn't really effective is that, as I stated, he was pretty much universally regarded that high. Sure, you can say that every one of those draft guides were wrong, and that may very well be the case, but that's not the point. The point is that no one ever though Petitti was a top talent.

 

[theogt]

Hamlin Signed?

Just assuming he will. I'd bet good money he does.

edit: Wow, just seconds later...

http://cowboyszone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84358

 

[dboyz]

The difference is that Rob was never considered a top talent. Watkins was universally regarded as a 2nd/3rd rounder who just happened to slip in the draft, presumably because of his height alone.

That said, I love the Hamlin signing.

I don't agree. Pettiti was touted going into his senior year and considered a first day draft pick as I recall. He got way overweight, which caused him to fall.

 

[Clove]

Funny thing about this is, had he been a 2nd round or 3rd round pick, there would be no one questioning his work from last year as a rookie.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

If it was only 1 or 2 draft guides that had him rated that high you would have a point. The reason your point isn't really effective is that, as I stated, he was pretty much universally regarded that high. Sure, you can say that every one of those draft guides were wrong, and that may very well be the case, but that's not the point. The point is that no one ever though Petitti was a top talent.

the proof is in the pudding and talk is cheap. he is a 5th round draft choice subjective talk of 'talent' notwithstanding.

Similar to your subjective classification os his play as 'good' after he came back from benchland.

 

[tomson75]

I don't agree. Pettiti was touted going into his senior year and considered a first day draft pick as I recall. He got way overweight, which caused him to fall.

True, but there is a difference here. Rob became a fat arse on his own accord. Watkins did nothing to cause his slide. Specualtion that most teams shied away from taking a 6'5" FS becasue his height was unheard of is probably right on the money.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Funny thing about this is, had he been a 2nd round or 3rd round pick, there would be no one questioning his work from last year as a rookie.

BS. he was benched because he played like he didnt deserve to play in this league. He was benched because he sucked not because he was a 5th rounder.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

not really, since Watkins has a great deal more potential than Pettiti ever will have

 

[theogt]

the proof is in the pudding and talk is cheap. he is a 5th round draft choice subjective talk of 'talent' notwithstanding.

Similar to your subjective classification os his play as 'good' after he came back from benchland.

Right. Just like Witten and Frank Gore were 3rd round talents. Players drop in the draft for various reasons. It doesn't make them any less valuable.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

not really, since Watkins has a great deal more potential than Pettiti ever will have

oh thats nice this is because you say so i take it. i remember all i heard about how much potential rob had because pettiti stonewalled freeney in college. what has watkins ever done other than miss reads in college and the pros?

 

[joseephuss]

the proof is in the pudding and talk is cheap. he is a 5th round draft choice subjective talk of 'talent' notwithstanding.

Similar to your subjective classification os his play as 'good' after he came back from benchland.

Most of this board is subjective opinions. Mine is that Watkins played better as the year went on and that he played better than Keith Davis. Still may not be good play, but an improvement from very poor play against Philly and NY early in the season.

Davis may be done now that Hamlin is signed. I would prefer to keep Hamlin, Watkins, Elam and one more guy over keeping Davis. I was for giving Davis getting a shot a couple of years ago. He got it and shown not to be too good.