PATRIOT64

One of my concerns this upcoming season seems to be that in the secondary where we will probably not have Harrison back,we lost Hobbs and Samuel is 2 years removed so that leaves us with mostly players of less than 2 years experience in this league or veterans that are spending thier first year here after coming over from teams with much different and less complicated defensive schemes.

I thought that it was Hobbs job this year as the leader and senior of the backfield to get this secondary ready and unified but now that he is gone it appears to me that James Sanders has to step it up big time and take Rodney's place and show leadership in the backfield,it seems when the team has no one to show this,they struggle during the season to get organized when it came time to become a solid unit such as when Rodney got injured and when Ty Law left.

Is Merriweather or Bodden and Springs ready to take ahold of this area of defense or do we rely on Sanders or will Bruschi and/or Seymour have to pick up the entire unit to work cohesively?. - Someone needs to step forward and take the reigns from #37 back there who definately was the heart and soul of success when he was calling the shots

Who do you think is up to it in 2009 to be our leader on defense?

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JSn

I think leadership is one of the most unrecognized traits of James Sanders, and something Bill has mentioned a lot. He and Meri will anchor the secondary, and I think Springs will provide the Vet "glint in the eye" out there.

Gonna be a-ok.

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maverick4

This is the same secondary that this past year:
- Was 31st in red zone defense
- Last or near last on 3rd down defense
- Last or near last on 3rd-and-long defense

I'm okay with Hobbs, Vrabel, Harrison, and whoever else gone.

muslimman

Yeah as soon as I read the title of this thread I thought of James Sanders. Im positive that he will become a good leader for the secondary in 2009.

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BelichickFan

From a leadership standpoint, Harrison is the only one that matters. Hobbs and Samuel were all about themselves and their wallets; they were never leaders. Sanders will have to make the defensive calls, I would think, and I hope Chung is a quick learner in the leadership arena, his scouting reports suggest he will be.

PATRIOT64

Here lies the problem ....

If its true and James Sanders is not playing well as many expect here and Patrick Chung takes over his spot by midseason,then how can Sanders assume this role if he is spending half the game on the sidelines?

Sanders has a lot on his shoulders this season - Not only does he have to have the best year of his career in 09 but he has to take over leadership as well - Thats a lot on the plate for a guy to handle,hope he can,the defense and its success .. or failure may very well depend on his performance this season.

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wdkantro2

It's never that simple. Everyone will get time. Chung won't "take over" anyone's spot.

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mgteich

James Sanders

He called the plays last year.

Hobbs was not the leader last year.

Box_O_Rocks

Ayup.

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TheBaronPatriot

I recall an interview with Rodney talking about Merriweather and how he was yelling the signals out to Rodney and Rodney who knew the call was like RELAX man I know the call.

So I think our former first round pick Merriweather is going to be the guy.