New England Patriots Discussion - Page 248

proshoota25 · 09-03-2011, 02:19 PM

talking to ROP, he brings up a great point, maybe Ras-I will play alot of snaps at FS?

Matthew Jones · 09-03-2011, 02:20 PM

Some other potential safety options might be Darren Sharper, Brandon McGowan. We could also see a last-minute trade similar to the Jarrad Page deal last year.

ElectricEye · 09-03-2011, 02:22 PM

Ras-I to safety is something to think about for sure....but I'm not sure it's a real good fit for him. He has the physical numbers for sure, but he's at his best in press man. Doesn't look to be a real fluid guy in zone. We'll have to see.

But yeah, I doubt we just sit on this. Someone is coming in. Shame we couldn't get something done with Goldson. Any ideas on potential names on the block? I looked it over a bit and there's not much...

Matthew Jones · 09-03-2011, 02:23 PM

A lot of people on Twitter are speculating that Meriweather will sign with the Jets.

ElectricEye · 09-03-2011, 02:27 PM

Jets are pretty thin there...aren't they? Seems like he could fit for them. Certainly better fit for them than he was for us.

But yeah, Merri really isn't a bad player. He's just a bad player for us. That's why I'm surprised we flat out cut him.

proshoota25 · 09-03-2011, 02:42 PM

pats were askin a 4th for brandon before he got cut.

Razor · 09-03-2011, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElectricEye

Ras-I to safety is something to think about for sure....but I'm not sure it's a real good fit for him. He has the physical numbers for sure, but he's at his best in press man. Doesn't look to be a real fluid guy in zone. We'll have to see.

Before the draft I considered Dowling to be a FS, not a CB. I'd love to move him to FS and have Chung at SS. Chung is excellent against the run, but a liability in coverage. Dowling has supreme athletic ability and is a natural ball hawk. To me he looks like a prototypical FS.

I'm surprised that we cut Meriweather, I would have thought that we could get a fourth rounder or so in return. But I guess people around the league knew about his lack of discipline on the field, and the huge mental mistakes are pretty evident on tape.

ElectricEye · 09-03-2011, 02:44 PM

I'm really surprised no one bit. He certainly won't be on the street long.

ElectricEye · 09-03-2011, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Razor

Before the draft I considered Dowling to be a FS, not a CB. I'd love to move him to FS and have Chung at SS. Chung is excellent against the run, but a liability in coverage. Dowling has supreme athletic ability and is a natural ball hawk. To me he looks like a prototypical FS.

I just flat out don't see it on tape. He tripped at the combine when he was asked to flip his hips. That was going to be a big story on him until he came out and blew up the 40 yard dash.

It would take away his biggest strength. It's also a little much to ask a guy that's been practicing for like 10 days to switch positions and make contributions right away.

It's defiantly possible, but I see a boundary corner with him.

Razor · 09-03-2011, 02:53 PM

I see a boundary corner as well, and I didn't mean that he should make the switch now and be a starter. But long term I'd rather have Dowling at FS and draft someone like Hosley or maybe even Janoris Jenkins next year.

descendency · 09-03-2011, 02:54 PM

I guess this will be the first time Meriweather is where he was supposed to be...

V.I.P · 09-03-2011, 02:55 PM

I guess this is a better place to ask my question...

Quote:

Originally Posted by V.I.P

What's wrong with Brandon Merriweather? Does he blow coverage, or sucks in run support? Looking at his stats, and pro bowl appearances would make you think he is some all star.

descendency · 09-03-2011, 02:57 PM

He tries to "make plays" quite a bit.

And they usually give big plays/touchdowns to the other team.

proshoota25 · 09-03-2011, 02:57 PM

meriweather takes horrible angles, and just isnt smart. plain and simple.

ElectricEye · 09-03-2011, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Razor

I see a boundary corner as well, and I didn't mean that he should make the switch now and be a starter. But long term I'd rather have Dowling at FS and draft someone like Hosley or maybe even Janoris Jenkins next year.

I'm not convinced either of those two are better at corner than Dowling. Dowling is an EXTREMELY good corner. He just has a very bad injury history. If moving to safety would help his medical concerns I would be all for it...but I would like to see him get an honest shot playing opposite to McCourty before we start using more draft picks on defensive backs.

As far as Merri goes, he's a complete freelancer and refuses to change it. Sometimes it's good...but most of the time it's very bad.

proshoota25 · 09-03-2011, 03:01 PM

tate got cut..... expected

ElectricEye · 09-03-2011, 03:03 PM

In the end, he just wasn't a very good receiver....and the kick return thing KILLED his value. I'm much more excited about Edelman and Price going forward.

Razor · 09-03-2011, 03:05 PM

I completely agree with you, and I think he has the potential to be every bit as good a corner as McCourty. I just love his upside as a free safety as well. And I think Bodden is a pretty good corner as well. I just can't start thinking about next year's draft now. We obviously have a huge need at safety now. Do we take Robert Lester? Nick Saban is great at coaching DBs, there's the Saban-BB connection and Lester really looks the part of a NFL FS. What about TJ McDonald? BB typically don't take USC guys for whatever reason he has, but TJ has great size and some nice upside as well? Like I've already said in another thread, I like the 2012 group of safeties.

proshoota25 · 09-03-2011, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Razor

I completely agree with you, and I think he has the potential to be every bit as good a corner as McCourty. I just love his upside as a free safety as well. And I think Bodden is a pretty good corner as well. I just can't start thinking about next year's draft now. We obviously have a huge need at safety now. Do we take Robert Lester? Nick Saban is great at coaching DBs, there's the Saban-BB connection and Lester really looks the part of a NFL FS. What about TJ McDonald? BB typically don't take USC guys for whatever reason he has, but TJ has great size and some nice upside as well? Like I've already said in another thread, I like the 2012 group of safeties.

lester is def a possibility... but i think mark barron is the perfect patriots player.... hes kind of like chung in a few ways but i think the pats would love to plug those 2 together next year

Razor · 09-03-2011, 03:12 PM

I'm really iffy on Barron. From what I saw last year I want no part of him. Imo he's a third rounder at best, but I wouldn't be surprised if he falls even further come draft day. He takes bad angles and doesn't have enough speed to catch receiver from the back. I think he was a mediocre player last year, but if he can regain his form from his sophomore year I might be intrigued with him.

ElectricEye · 09-03-2011, 03:12 PM

I wouldn't want Barron. Good balls skills and such, but I don't see a guy I'm comfortable with playing centerfield. Too similar to Chung. I like Lester quite a bit though.

But yeah, I'm not exactly enthusiastic about spending more high draft picks on defensive backs. More concerned with what we're doing right now, personally. Considering we're going to be contending this year, we better find a solution to this problem quick. Makes the Sanders cut even more surprising.

Is Molden a possibility at safety? He's a guy that looks like he'll be making the team at this point, even though it's based on a small sample size. He's got the physical profile for it...and played some in college.

phlysac · 09-03-2011, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElectricEye

Shame we couldn't get something done with Goldson.

I really don't know how you guys didn't. I wonder what happened. He had said goodbye to San Fran via his twitter and came to New England for a vist.

Then he re-signs with 49ers for 1 year $2 Million.

ElectricEye · 09-03-2011, 03:14 PM

Yeah, it really doesn't make sense. He's a Rosenhaus guy too. We usually end up getting stuff done with him. You guys must have matched what we were giving and he felt better about coming back there.

luckyjackaubrey · 09-03-2011, 03:14 PM

Bodden is the one that makes the most sense moving to safety. Dowling oposite McCourty, Arrington and Butler the nickel and dime.

Razor · 09-03-2011, 03:18 PM

I wouldn't feel comfortable starting Dowling on the outside considered how little he's practiced over the summer. I think he needs another 6-8 weeks before he's ready to start. Also, I'm not sure if Bodden's a fit at safety.