Thriving as a Pat

[Bengalbob]

It looks like we had the answer to our strong safety problems right under our nose (at least according to ESPN.com) and we didn't even know it . . .

"Here's about all you need to know to understand how much better the New England defense has played over the past two months: The unit is good enough that the Patriots have been able to get away with having Artrell Hawkins start at strong safety.

A life-long cornerback who played most of his career with the Cincinnati Bengals, the eight-year veteran has been released by three teams in two years. He wasn't in the league at the start of the season, wasn't on the New England roster until eight weeks ago, and had never played safety in his career. Yet, surrounded by good players and in a system capable of camouflaging his shortcomings, Hawkins has played well, and become a more physical defender than he's ever been in his career."

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/stor...&page=morning18

[skyline]

Wow, who woulda thunked it?

[AMC]

It's all about the system...they are masking him well!

[Ox]

[Stripes]

It seems like everyone that plays on that team is overachieving. Former Bengals aren't discluded apparently.

[HoosierCat]

It's all about the system...they are masking him well!

Exactly. Hawkins was never a bad CB, he was a bad starting CB. As a backup/nickle type, or as a role player within a system, he'd be fine.

That said, I recall seeing highlights of him running three steps behind a guy catching a TD within the last couple weeks...

[jjakq27]

I watched most of that game and I am not sure I saw him on one play. I could be wrong.

[membengal]

"The unit is good enough that the Patriots have been able to get away with having Artrell Hawkins start at strong safety."

That is not exactly a ringing endorsement right there.