Next up in our series of player nuggets is cornerback Ellis Hobbs, the veteran cornerback who heads into training camp atop the depth chart at right cornerback. Acquired during the 2009 draft from the New England Patriots for two fifth-round draft picks, Hobbs spent his first season in Philadelphia as a utility cornerback of sorts; filling in whenever Sheldon Brown or Asante Samuel were off the field. He was still able to make a significant impact as the primary kickoff returner, but his season was ended early following a neck injury. A restricted free agent, Hobbs signed his first-round tender and, following the trade of Brown to the Browns, found himself in the enviable position of front-runner at right cornerback. So what do you need to know about the 5-foot-9, 195-pound brash cornerback?
1. Hobbs already has a successful pedigree as a starting cornerback. After all, he did start all 16 games for the New England Patriots in their 2007 undefeated regular season, racking up 51 tackles to go with 1.0 sack and an interception. And who was Hobbs' partner at cornerback? Asante Samuel, of course.
2. While Hobbs expects to make his mark at cornerback, don't forget about his dynamism as a kickoff returner. In fact, Hobbs holds the NFL record for longest kickoff return of all-time - this 108-yard beauty against the New York Jets in 2007. Hobbs' mark is only matched by Devin Hester's 108-yard field goal return for the longest play in NFL history. Hobbs' three kickoff return touchdowns trail only Josh Cribbs (8), Terrence McGee (5), Devin Hester (4) and Leon Washington (4) among active players.
3. What about off the field? What's Hobbs' most defining trait to his teammates in the locker room? That would be best dressed. When asked, the players almost unanimously tout Hobbs as the most stylish guy on the squad. Hobbs is not shy about saying that he's got a bigger closet at home than his wife does. Perhaps Hobbs' insistence on looking his best can be explained by the following quote: "I think it's being a perfectionist. I'm always tweaking things I do in life, on and off the field. I want everything to be perfect."
-- Posted by Bo Wulf, 7:34 p.m., July 9
