Hobbs: Belichick is misunderstood

He came off well in this interview, I must say.

And I suspect what he said about Belichick is dead on.

A class act

Ellis Hobbs is a class act. We will miss you Ellis. Always a gamer who leaves it all out on the field. He played hurt, filled in wherever the team needed...

God Bless Ellis and good luck in Philly

Hobbs wasn't a great CB fit for the Pats, but he is def a class act.
I agree with him about calling out the fans though. If you were a real fan you would NEVER boo your team off the field like some fans did during the first meeting w/ Miami last season.

I don't care for him as a CB, but I have respect for him a man. Sticking up for BB at ESPN (a.k.a. the Jets flagship) and fessing up about what he said to the fans, took class. He had nothing to gain from doing it. He didn't have to do it. But he did. I'm glad he did.

Ellis, I wish you well.

-CP

Never a big Hobbs fan, but he was good in this interview

I don't think anyone really ever questioned Hobbs the person, it was Hobbs the player. I do feel like he took an undue amount of flak from people, and he wasn't really ever THAT bad, he was just asked to do more than he was capable of doing, but he went out and did it anyway.

I have been, for three years, one of the most outspoken Anti-Hobbs people and I believe most Pats fans know my opinon on Hobbs. I have waited, and prayed for this day for a long time. As far as his play at the corner position, it has been a major thorn in ther Pats defense for a long time and for that reason alone, I say good riddance to Hobbs.
However, in regards to his comments, and this interview, I commend him. He reversed an earlier opinion I had of him regarding his personality.
I wish him luck in Philly, however, because of his weak play at corner, and the tenacity of the Eagle fans, I don't expect him to be there long.
What could save him is a kickoff return for a TD now and then, but on the corner, he will be destroyed, by the receivers, and by Philly boo birds.
Sunday, when he was traded was a banner moment for me as a Pats fan.

Thanks 27

Who knows in this league...Hobbs' contract is up after this upcoming season and if some of our corners don't work out then he may be an option to come back to the team for a reasonable price since he is familiar with the system. Hobbs to me is an elite nickel corner and an adequate 2nd corner. We were asking him to be the top corner this year covering all the top receivers which is way over his head. Hopefully everything works out for him. I remember a few years ago when he was a rookie breaking into the rotation, a lot of fans were rooting for him. If only we kept Samuel or signed/drafted a top rookie corner the last couple years, Hobbs would have avoided a few of those bad plays and became a fan favorite nickel corner that also gave us some good kick returns.

Good luck Ellis and stay classy!

Great way to go out Ellis. Very classy and Bledsoesque. I think you may have changed a few opinions that some of the fans had after the trade. Hopefully we'll meet again in the SuperBowl.

Hobbs always did what was asked of him. We may not have liked the results but the coaching staff kept going back to him.

Bill dresses a little bit like the Hunchback too!

I was shocked to see Hobbs dealt although I do understand why. With that said, the Eagles really made a great move. Hobbs has proved he can be a solid corner opposite Asante and I wish him great success.

I hope Ellis has a chance to return to Foxboro sometime and give the fans the chance to give him a standing ovation.

My opinion of him just got a lot better.

Not that I am a Pats insider, but I think he is right on. BB comes across as callous to the national media, the same people that routinely take anyone's words out of context - I think you would have to be insane to speak too much to ESPN and some of the others.
But you turn on WEEI for his weekly address and he is funny, humble, and respectful of just about everyone in football. My Eagle loving husband cannot get enough of the guy - and that has to tell you something.

You haters/fakers make me sick. One minute you are bashing him, the next you are praising because he apologized for voicing his opinion. The game he made that comment, the whole team stunk, the coaches were not prepaired, and the offense was horrific! How many times have you boo'ed your team (i.e. Yanks / Sox series 2004) only to get back on the wagon and cheer when they finally won the W.S. that year. Hobbs calls his fans out and they rip him. He played through injuries and gave everything he had. He was better than all the other DB's combined last year (exception of B.M.) Asante sucks-when he signs with Philly, then the team should have never let him go, once he proved he was not a system player and could play elsewhere. Egocentric fans who do not appreciate a thing a player does. So when Seymour or Wilfork leave, will they stink too! Wow, New England fans wonder why other sports fans shake their head at them.

That kind of reminds me of when Lawyer Milloy left. I remember him being interviewed prior to the SuperBowl and he was just speachless on air - it was kind of sad because you could tell his heart was still in New England and he regretted not renegotiating his contract. It's a different set of circumstances with Hobbs though. Hobbs obviously loved his time here but he's just a good guy, works his butt off and I franly can't remember him saying anything unjustified.

I always thought he was an under valued Corner but the secondary was so bad last year it's almost better to start from scratch. If you just consider 2007, when Samuel was still here, he always had the tougher receiver - T.O., Reggie Wayne, Burress and that made him look worse because he was naturally overmatched. He'll get replaced, there is no question, but I'll miss the guy and I do wish him the best of luck.

Hobbs caught a lot of flak around these parts, but if he had been healthier, I don't think he'd have had such a tumultuous tenure. He was a good cornerback that was asked to do too much. He'll have success in Philadelphia, their pressure scheme and reduced responsibilities bode well for him.

i get mad every time i think about trading Hobbs. This kid is a warrior, played hurt no matter how bad it was, played his heart out 100% of the time. I do not understand letting him go. The salary cap justification doesn't make sense, i would rather keep him for one year and let him walk then get two 5th round picks that will most likely never see the field for the Pats. Don't like this deal at all.

And one more thing - Hobbs was dead on right when he called out the fans! Pats fans (and i'm one of them) have been spoiled by their success.

Definitely a class act, thanks for all you gave us Ellis!

I agree that some of Hobbs undisclosed (at the time) injuries hurt his performance and his image, but he was game. He certainly went out with a classy gesture, and to me it shows his maturity. Good luck to him in Philly. They can win with him at corner.

People, this guy was the Anti-Patriot. It was all about me me me. He would stop a guy after an eleven yard gain and dance around like an idiot. He would wine to the media about the fans disresecting him. This miget was the only guy on the team I hated. He wasn't a true Patriot. Team first me second. Good luck Philly Assante and Hobbs will be Pay Me, Love Me guys.

I agree with what others have said, Hobbs was a so-so CB, but always a class act. My opinion is that he was absolutely right to call out the fans. I have never been so embarrassed to be a Patriots fan when the whiny fans at Gillette booed the Pats when their RECORD-SETTING winning streak came to an end. It's not like any team had EVER played better over so many games. Sometimes I think the in-the-stand fans are spoiled idiots. (I do think they are in the minority, but they sure are loud.)

Thanks Ellis, we appreciate what you did here! Good luck in Philly!

I believe ALBERT,SONNY AND RICHTER said it all.Hobbs have fun with Philly and hope we could see you again with or against the pats.

When I saw the title of the article I was thinking that he took some shots at the Pats and BB. I'm glad he didn't do that as I suspect it would not have been true.

Class move. I wish Ellis the best of luck. Say hi to Asante....

I would post about how Hobbs seemed to give the Patriots a rep as a trash-talking team, how he couldn't handle the fade in goal-line situations, how he was never going to step up and support against the run, but how he played with casts on his wrist(s?) in a couple of different situations, how he played hard and left everything on the field, and how his kickoff returns gave the Pats field position so many times.

I would say all of these things, but I'm still trying to make sense of Realistic's post.

All I can say is that I'm surprised the split wasn't less than smooth and that it's good PR for him to say what he did. He should be a good slot cover guy in Philly, and might make an impact on returns (although personally, I love seeing DeSean Jackson back there - I guess it'd be better for the Eagles not to risk Jackson, who's their number 1 receiver now...)

Thanks for the varied opinions. Hobbs was probably one of the most exciting KO returners in Patriot history. He was undersized and overmatched as a CB however. But make no mistake, he was a Patriot, he played hard and at full throttle, he played with a lot of heart and thats the Patriot Way.
Good luck Ellis, philly just got a character upgrade.

This interview changed my opinion of him. He came off like a class act. I wish him luck.

it basically comes down to using a "good guy" who one could argue has "peaked" versus using someone who can be better than him. It is a fact of life for other jobs as well, in the end of the day it comes down to the performance. I think although BB might sound like he doesnt care when he talked about the trade he probably gave hobbs some encouraging words when he left.

Class act he leaves with great respect from one Fan who agreed that he was just not a good fit in out system despite all the injuries, he had some great moments and awesome runbacks. Good luck in Philly.

For a guy who was unexpectedly traded, this is an amazing statement. This truly shows the loyalty and respect Belichick commands.

Mike Allen is the perfect example of everything that is wrong with this fanbase.

Hobbs is a warrior, he went out there every week and gave 110% playing through injuries that most wouldn't have. He gets so much undeserved hate from the portion of the fans with no understanding of the game. He isn't the greatest corner but he was an above average #2 and a great kick returner. Calling it a banner moment when you lose a player like him is pathetic.

Ellis Hobbs is a class act, a great guy and was a true Patriot. I'm sad to see him go and wish him nothing but the best in Philly.

Thanks, Ellis. A real class act.

You still suck, though.

Not only was Belichick misunderstood - so was Hobbs. Ellis was always a gamer, played hurt, never complained. I can only wish him the best in Philly.

Excellent stuff Ellis. Thanks for the hard work. And you can't buy class. Cheers!

First interview I have seen with Hobbs where I have respected what the man said. Maybe Philly will be good for him. Don't care for him as a player, but I don't wish him any ill. Hopefully Philly will know what to do with him.

Classy guy as always, still stunk at corner though. I will miss his special teams play and his passion for the game

Hobbs was consistent to say the least and a class act whichever way you swing it. Good luck to #27.

Mike Allen is still a cock, and he'd have taken Deltha O'Neal as the second corner purely on height. Hobbs played like a nickel corner at worst, so you can yiff a goat, Allen.

Yankees ~ a term that applies EXCLUSIVELY to denizens of New England, who should wear that name with PRIDE, I beseech you! ~ are, in my utterly biased opinion, the most insightful, sharpest, and ~ surprisingly, considering our collectively ornery reputation! ~ the most compassionate fans in ALL the land!

I'll never forget how, in 1990, back in the depth of the decades of frustration, Billy Buckner came back to Boston, at the age of 40, to play just a few more final games...And the first time he stepped on the field, we Red Sox fans ~ incredibly ~ gave him a standing O. I've never been prouder to be...a Yankee.

Wear that title with PRIDE, Yankees. Those kids in New York just have Yankee Envy...and who can blame them? ;o)

But I was NOT proud when we barraged the Patriots with boos, last September. This football team has OBLITERATED any previous standards of dedication, passion, and unselfish sacrifice, to forge a Legacy that we are ALL privileged to share.

They deserved better.

But that's all right: Ain't no fan base in the WORLD that wouldn't've booed, that day. All I'm saying is: I consider it a privilege to count myself AMONG those fans, among US...and I aspire to the day when we ARE that one fan base that wouldn't boo on that ugly day...and would, instead, take that wounded team into our surprisingly compassionate embrace and give them a BOOST!

If ANY fan base ever evolves to that level...it'll be US.

5th best kickoff returner in NFL History...Thanks for the memories Ellis - too bad you were left on an Island in SB XLII...

Ellis was a credit to the team...hard working, gave his all always. To steal from a teammate...full tilt, full time. He was also one of the best kick returners I can remember. Ran full steam and north-south. I will miss him. I'm also impressed with his intellect. Probably the first Victor Hugo reference I can recall from a Pats player.

I agree 100% with Skeptikal's comments (#34).

Smart fans appreciated Hobbs - the knuckle draggers searched desperately for a scape goat. It'll be interesting to see who Mike Allen/gick pick this year. I'm guessing someone on the O-line. Miserable jerks...

This was classy. I will neither trash him nor miss him on the field, but I appreciate this. Best to you, Mr. Hobbs.

The main memory of Hobbs is the Superbowl play with Burress which was not all of his fault. If Harrison was still not shell shocked over the Tyree play and Samuel was not out of position picking his nose and helping Hobbs over the top knowing Manning was probably going to Burress maybe the catch would not have happened. Throw in Vrable getting man handled by Chris Snee may be Hobbs would not be the goat. I am sure the Giants knew he was hurt and waited for the proper time to go after him. He was not worth the 2 mill he was getting this year so it also was a salary dump as well. He can take act to Philly and I am sure he will cash in next year some where else. Bill did him a favor as long as he plays decent in09

I've been a Hobbs basher for nearly his entire career. He's not as good as he thinks he is by any means. But, I must tip my hat- he left in class. I am still glad he is no longer on the team but I'm proud of the way he presented himself and acted in a manner of class. Good for him. Good luck in Philly.

Super Bowl 42. Thanks for the nightmare Ellis.

18 and 1

I enjoyed Ellis's say it like it is attitude - I agreed with him when he callied out the fans and he was great with the local media. I also appreciate that he always left it out on the field, played hurt never missing a game - and was one of the most exciting returners we have seen on Pats in a long time. No he does not have the physical attributes to be a number 1 corner but he played to the best of his ability, too bad they could not keep him for back up and returns.
Ellis you are a class act - good luck to you!

Good luck Ellis!

Great interviewer... Mediocre player. The Ellis Hobbs the 3rd era has ended and it is hard to not look back at his Patriots career without thinking about the game-winning TD he let up to Plaxico "ops I just shot myself" Burress.