« Extra points | Main | Safeties snapshot »

CB snapshot

(Tenth in a series of position snapshots leading into Patriots training camp, July 28)

Cornerback

STARTERS: Asante Samuel (4th year), Ellis Hobbs (2nd year)

RESERVES: Willie Andrews (rookie), Vernell Brown (rookie), Randall Gay (3rd year), Hank Poteat (5th year), Chad Scott (10th year), Antwain Spann (1st year*), Eric Warfield (9th year)

2005 CORNERBACKS: Samuel, Hobbs, Gay, Poteat, Scott (3 games), Duane Starks, Tyrone Poole

2006 ROSTER LOCKS: Samuel, Hobbs, Gay

OUTLOOK: Samuel started 17 of 18 games in 2005 (including playoffs) and Hobbs closed out the season by starting the final 10 contests. That duo should open 2006 in the same roles. Gay, who exceeded expectations in 2004 and battled through an ankle injury while playing five games in 2005, is expected to open training camp on the physically unable to perform list. If healthy by the start of the season, he would seemingly have the inside track to be the third corner. Scott and Warfield play with a similar style –- they are both bigger corners with the ability to effectively jam receivers on the line. Assuming all corners are at full health, Scott and Warfield are probably battling for one roster spot. Poteat just keeps sticking around and seems to play within himself, although he will be pressed to earn a roster spot if the rest of the group stays healthy. Andrews adds value in the return game as well as depth at cornerback, while Brown and Spann are longer shots.

QUOTE OF NOTE: "Over the past two years, I feel like I've taken the best receiver on every team.” –- Asante Samuel, on if he’s primed to become a No. 1 cornerback. (Boston Globe, June 27, 2006)

(* Spann is a first-year player, which means he was with a team in 2005 but didn’t accrue a credited season toward free agency.)

Position snapshots will conclude tomorrow with the safety position.