Ellis Hobbs calls trade shocking
The following is a transcript of a conference call that cornerback Ellis Hobbs held with the Philadelphia-area media, compliments of the Eagles' media relations department:
On what his thoughts were about the trade:
“Personally, I think it’s shocking because you’ve been playing so many years for an organization. Had some success and doing your thing, but on the other side it’s a business. I had been telling my family members for a while; I just had a feeling. Then you kind of feel things out, you see how the organization is making moves throughout the offseason. You figure that something is going to shake, you just never know when, but when I got the call no bad blood, no hard feelings. It is what it is and I’m excited to be playing for the Eagles now.”
On whether the team gave any indication on how he will fit in here:
“They didn’t give me any indication, but obviously you bring me in for a reason. One of my former teammates is there. I’m pretty sure he spoke well of me. I know that situation over there dealing with [CB] Sheldon [Brown] and how that stuff is going. Like I said, you bring somebody in for a reason but everything has to be earned out there. Nothing is going to be given. I just look forward to getting out there and showing Philadelphia and the organization what I have. Hopefully we can bring success that’s already established there.”
On whether the team conveyed to him about their concerns with Sheldon Brown:
“Obviously so, to do that, to make a move like this. Like I said, I heard rumors anyway of they were interested in things like that. I didn’t have any expectations as far as something would shake this early. From the business side, you have to understand when somebody shows their hand like this, the other player has to show their hand and make moves also. Just taking care of business.”
On whether he has talked to CB Asante Samuel yet:
“No I haven’t talked to Asante [Samuel] yet. My phone has been blowing up like crazy for the last 20 minutes. It’s pretty nuts right now. To be settled somewhere else and now all of a sudden that happens and you have to start somewhere else, everybody is that much more excited about it and that much crazier about it especially with the draft going on right now, too. So, no, I haven’t gotten around to talking to him.”
On whether he is happy to be going to the Eagles:
“Most definitely. I talked to the defensive coordinator Jim Johnson. If you want to go somewhere, you want to go to a team who had past success. As many times as these guys have been right there at the pinnacle, they haven’t got, but they’re right there. So, they’re missing that one key piece or two key pieces or that one play. You’re definitely excited to get to a team like that where you feel like you’re not going into a losing situation. You’re going into a place where these guys know how to win. All you have to do is jump in line and continue to do your thing and they’ll be successful.”
On what happened in New England and why the change:
“I started all four years since I’ve been there. From the business side, they feel like they can make moves other places. Who’s to say? Maybe they weren’t as successful as I was there coming in initially to now. Maybe they wanted more success or maybe they wanted something different to shake something up, I don’t know. You can never figure it out all the way because I’m not that person; I’m not that organization. Obviously they wanted to do something. They saw value in me to get rid of me and to get something else in there. It is what it is. It’s kind of a typical move of them where they move players in and out. You really don’t understand it and it kind of hits you very abruptly with certain players definitely from the past. Your Deion Branch’s, Willie McGinest’s, David Givens’, those guys to name a few. Now recently Mike Vrabel, who was the face of the organization, they got him out of there. It’s just how it goes. You understand that, you understand that this is a business and you have to keep on, keep on.”
On whether he is happy about his contract:
“Not at all. It is definitely frustrating when you see guys getting certain amounts of money that you know you can get just as much that you deserve. Especially, some of the situations that I’ve been in as far as playing through injuries, a torn shoulder, a torn groin all of the way throughout the season, and this and that. To take some of the blows that I did from the area and the community and to put it on the line day in and day out when I know some other guys were not doing that and to get the money you get, you are definitely not happy with it. That is what it is and I am getting paid more than a lot of people in this world are and that will come.”
On whether Philadelphia is a place he wants to stay for a long time or just one year:
“No, if we could make this my home then I would definitely love to be here. I know that it is not going to come easy. Like I said, you have to go out there and prove it. Nobody wants a paper champ. These guys have seen me and the coaches say that every time on film there I am. I’m showing up on the film and making plays. I feel I have proved myself enough in this league that I can sustain a position and do my thing in the NFL, but I definitely haven’t done enough to be out there as a player where I am that guy and that’s where I want to get to. Understanding that, I definitely want to try to make this my home.”
On whether he has talked to anybody about his contract and if that is why he was traded:
“I think with that situation [in New England] there are a lot of guys that are coming up that are going to need to be paid. I think it has kind of moved from that echelon where there is a lot of guys out there who are not going to take the [bottom] dollar for the win. Guys really want to get what they deserve and each one of those guys that are coming up in the next year or so deserve every dollar they are going to get. I think that with the roster like we had, there were so many guys that needed to be paid, somebody has to move out of the way. Unfortunately and fortunately it was me and like I said I am looking forward to the future.”
On how many years are left on his contract:
“This is my last year.”
On whether he expects to be returning kicks in Philadelphia:
“I expect to do anything that can help us win. I don’t care what I have to do, I win. That’s what I expect to do, whatever it is. It is what it is and I continue to move on.”
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The only reason the pats lost any games the past few years was because of Hobbs.
With him gone, they'll go 19-0 no problem.
good riddance
oooo E. Hobbs the third getting in a couple of shots there.
Cant say I blame him, but in the end maybe the Eagles will give him the stupid money that the Patriots wouldnt when his contract expires.
Sounds like he's disgruntled with his deal. Good luck improving on 2.5 mil/season, pal. Good luck.
I like Hobbs...but come on.
Did I read that right? He thinks he's worth more than $2.5 million/year?
I blame Samuel for the Super Bowl,If he picked the ball off, Hobbs wouldn't have had to cover Burress. Sounds like he's ready to play against us, should be a good preseason game Pats vs. Eagles. I wish him the best of luck, as long as that luck doesn't help against us.
Hobbs talks about the "blows" he takes from the area and the community while he plays hurt. No one is questioning who heart or willingness through pain but my man you got burned by MANY WR's for Touchdowns on many occassions. If I recall in fact you where near the top on most TD's given up by DB's over the last few years... So please don't take the victim approach. Bottom line is you are not nor ever will be a NO#1 DB in the NFL... And please don't compare yourself to McGinest, Vrabel, Branch, etc... You were not worth the 2.5m you were going to get this year.... Good Riddance!!!!
Hey Ellis...don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out. When's the last time you made an impact play--and you're whining about more money?!
Hobbs was a #3 corner talent in a #1 corner role, and it showed.
YOU SUCK, Ellis! Have fun dropping INT's over in Philly...until they drop YOU.
Ellis Hobb is shocked. I hope his teammates are not upset about how the trade was executed. It is rather transparent that the trade is to free up money immediately for a signing. And it is likely for Jason Taylor, who said he would announce his decision after the draft. There is no other reason for the Pats to hurry and push through a trade today for two 5th rounder this year, when they have more than enough picks that they want to trade away. They could have traded Hobbs for another veteran after the start of training camp. I hope Jason Taylor still has it as a football player with his age and after his recent injury. I am also not enamored with his " better than thou and I'll do that if it fits my agenda" attitude. There are reasons why Parcell despise the guy. And signing Taylor for big money will create resentment for a good number of veteran Pats players whose contracts would be up.
Ellis Hobb is shocked. I hope his teammates are not upset about how the trade was executed. It is rather transparent that the trade is to free up money immediately for a signing. And it is likely for Jason Taylor, who said he would announce his decision after the draft. There is no other reason for the Pats to hurry and push through a trade today for two 5th rounder this year, when they have more than enough picks that they want to trade away. They could have traded Hobbs for another veteran after the start of training camp. I hope Jason Taylor still has it as a football player with his age and after his recent injury. I am also not enamored with his " better than thou and I'll do that if it fits my agenda" attitude. There are reasons why Parcell despise the guy. And signing Taylor for big money will create resentment for a good number of veteran Pats players whose contracts would be up.
He is after all a corner. Show me a corner who isn't cocky and I'll show you a lousy corner.
Let's be honest. Hobbs was our best last year, but this year he's #4 at best (Bodden, Springs, and either Butler, Wheatley or Wilhite, if not two or all 3, will be better than him). #4 at best, #7 at worst. Not worth keeping.
Yes "gick", he thinks he's worth more than $2.5 mil a year. Any one wanting to pay him that much so he can blow coverages for them is nuts. He's a mediocre player at best. The only reason his flaws never really showed until now was because he was good at kick returns and Samuel was playing opposite of him. Now that Samuel's been gone for a season, we were able to see just how ordinary Hobbs is.
Not happy with his contract = not going to be back next year. That is why he was traded for whatever value they could get. There are too many guys in the last year of their contract, they need to clear up some space on the roster so they can retain some of their picks from 08 and 09. That's NFL football--limited cap, limited roster space. It sounds like Hobbs understands that. He should (and apparently does) consider himself lucky he's going to the Eagles where the supporting cast is very good.
A starter for one of the worst secondarys in the league and he's.... surprised????? Come on, if the jobs not getting done, we mortals get fired. I'm tired of the "Patriots done wrong list.-Your Deion Branch’s, Willie McGinest’s, David Givens" It's a business when they hold out or sign for big money elsewhere, but when released or traded it seems to get a little personal.
They got rid of Ellis Hobbs? That's the best move they made the whole weekend!
The Eagles won the trade easy....yet for some reason I couldn't be happier as a Pats fan.
Did Roy Hobbs say he was shocked? Jeesh, we were all shocked too, at how the opposing qb knew where to throw the ball everytime he needed a td!
mike vrabel was the "face of the organization"?
I guess the Brandon Tate pick makes even more sense now. He is a killer return man and will replace Hobbs as the KR.
my grandmother could beat Hobbs in coverage and she has no legs!...see ya!
He may not even make the Eagles team at $2.5M. Two 5th round picks for him sums up his value. See you Toast Hobbs.
As much as I think him moving is the best thing for both parties, he is one of those guys I really imagined being a career Patriot. I don't mean that he is a top tier guy that we need to keep, I mean that he really seemed like a guy who worked his butt off and enjoyed being a part of the organization. That doesn't come around every week.
Looks like the Pats did well to get rid of him since he probably would have been gone after the season anyways chasing the biggest paycheck possible. If he thinks he deserves more than 2.5 mil/year he's gotta be smoking crack, that's just too funny! Good riddance. Hopefully Bodden will play like he played for CLE and Springs will be good while Butler, Wheatley, etc. develop and mature.
I just really really hate this type of doubletalk, such as that in Hobbs lll's responding to the question about whether he's happy with his contract. Starting with how frustrated he is making $2.5 mil, and then about how "that will come," like he's suddenly showing zen-like restraint, and knows his talent combined with his wisdom will guide him to prosperity.
Lies. I read sh$$ like this and all I want to do is boycott these a-holes forever. I work like a dog helping other people, and won't make $2.5 mil over the course of a lifetime. If he thinks he as a 20-something mediocre athlete is worth the top .000001% of society's income for having receivers snatch balls from over his head with regularity, and playing (ineffectively) through a groin injury, welcome to your bounty, Eagle fans.
Later, Hobbsy.
Frannie Flavin could beat him!
Initially, I had some mixed emotions about the Hobbs trade. I never liked his height deficiiancy, but the kid did play hard for the Pats. But after reading these comments, yes, I'm no longer conflicted. Good luck Ellis, getting more than 2.5 million.I was at Super Bowl XLII. There were mistakes (some philosophical) on offense, Belichick had no confidence in Gostowski in a dome, Green and Seymour let Eli escape and Samuel blew and easy pick. Still, the last memory is Hobbs getting beat by Burress badly even if the run blitz was a bad call.
Goodbye and good riddance to Day-Late-Dollar-Short Hobbs ... the same Hobbs beaten like a rented mule by Plaxico to lose the Super Bowl.
The ink isn't dry on his trade papers and he's already whining about his contract ... just like his idol, Mr. 'Get Paid' Super-Bowl-Winning-Interception-Goes-Thru-My-Fingers Samuel. Earth to Hobbs ... you were a starter traded for two fifth-round draft picks!!! That should give you some indication of what you're worth and not worth!
What a pair of malcontents those two will make in Philly ...
By the way Mr. HOBBS, What ever became of those other players who left uh- unhappy... Send a text to Branch, Law, McGinest, Givens, Milloy, etc. They have been to how many SB's they have been to. that's right ZERO!! Have fun in Philly!!!
I just saw Michael Holley on the Tobin.......
Philly must be stupid. They think Hobbs is better than Sheldon Brown?!?! Your funeral, Philly.
Injuries + Contract Year = Makes Sense
I see clearly now.
Does Holley actually think his boy is worth more than 2.5 mil a year? There is a part of me that wanted me to keep him for depth this year but if this dude thinks he should get paid like a number 1 corner he is smoking the best crack in all the land. He tried hard and failed alot. How many times did we see the Hobbs jersey chasing a receiver after blown coverage? He had his shot after Assante left and he never lived up to it. Hopefully Wheatley is worth the #2 pick and can stay on the field this year. Good luck LOSER!
Not fair to beat on Hobbs. He's a nickel db thrust into starter role because we couldn't afford an elite corner. I think he gave it his all every time out there...can you say that about the rest of the defense?
Who runs kicks back now? Matt Slater?
Hey, the guy played hurt and probably did play to his abilities. Give him that much. He did draw the elite WR's often, and was beaten pretty regular. Despite what he thinks, he's not a #1 corner on many teams. It's good to have attitude, but let's be realistic here. When it's 3rd and 8, and he's consistantly playing 12 yards off the line because his cover skills aren't exactly great, you're going to convert that third down pretty frequently OR the WR's going to blow by you going deep.
He gave it his all and I respect that, but it still comes up short when you're an average DB covering better recievers.
Great return guy, solid second CB. Bodden will make people forget about Hobbs when they see Bodden play. We'll miss his great kick off returns, but he really was only a nickel CB and was lucky to be a starter for as long as he has in NE.
Maroney, Slater or Faulk can handle kick offs. Slater, preferably, since he isn't an everydown/real important piece. Tate could be the guy in 2010.
Ellis Hobbs was a decent, versatile player who did his best and never embarrassed himself or the team. Good luck to him. It's a business. One year left on his contract, he's looking to get paid next year, the Pats weren't going to pay him a whole lot more than what he's making now, and they're deep at the position. Easy decision. Doesn't make him a bad guy, doesn't mean he sucks. It's business.
BB traded Hobbs because he is in salary cap hell. Hobbs is right about everything he has said. He played hurt and never complained.
This is an overdue move by the Pats. It finally take the obvious, glaring target out of the picture and forces the opposition to find some other DB to consistently beat like a red headed stepchild every freakin' game!
Mike,
Can you please make a point of speaking to Hobbs about the fans that spoke up about how much we appreciated his time here; the plays he made, not just on returns, but on the defense as well; his heart, that he was the type of guy who played like he was truly invested in the game; and his "swagger?"
Can you also ask Bill Belichick, when you think it's most appropriate, to talk some about Hobbs' contribution to the team during his time here; but can you try to phrase the question so that Belichick has to either talk about or or imply that Hobbs has a certain "swagger?"
Thanks much.
Hector--the team isn't in salary cap hell--not sure what has lead you to make that incorrect conclusion.
best move of the weekend by far. he has cost the pats more losses or come from behind games than anyone. and he was always ready to celebrate a tackle even if the other team got a 1st down. see you loser, i wish we played them this year so brady could toast him.
As of 4/22 the Pats were $4.67M under the cap according to Pro Football Talk, so Hector does haven't any idea what he's talking about. You can't be in "salary cap hell" when a good sized chunk of the team is entering the final year of their contracts. Most people would just Google a few things to get their facts straight before posting all over RP that the Pats are in salary cap "hell". For crying out loud, you'd think an economist/capologist like Hector would at least be aware of Miguel's page.
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