PATRIOTSFANINPA

I sit and wonder if Sanders had more of a predominant role in starting and getting the secondary to play better before the team looked vulnerable,would we have beaten Indy or N.O. or one of the other 5 games we lost.

Was using McGowan too long at starter a mistake as signs of his progression became more noticable as the weeks went on?

I think the combo of Sanders and Springs as veterans and leaders of the secondary have made a difference and should make us more competitive when we face the big boys again.

We could only wonder if Sanders who has clearly taken ahold of leadership of the D would have been a difference in getting the bye - The biggest problem of this defense has been that no one had stepped up to show leadership and control and little did we know that Sanders who was on the sidelines much of the early going was to be that guy.

I think BB has done a fine job of getting the right players to start at the right time and it is starting to show...IMO its Springs and Bodden and Meriweather and Sanders to take command of the starting position for us to have the best chance to shut down playoff teams passing games.

I do wonder if the switch to McGowan in week 2 was the result of the secondary getting burned by the Bills passing game in the season opener.

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justinb

I think our DB's are mostly solid....but most DB's arent that good for more than 4 or 5 seconds....its like riding a bull...eventually you get kicked off

Willie55

I don't think any defensive back is good when having to cover for 5 seconds, that's an eternity. But that is what the Pats db's have faced year because lack of pass rush.

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MoLewisrocks

We had the same problem in 2005 when Rodney was lost. Eugene Wilson looked like a pro bowl safety in the making when playing alongside Rodney meant he didn't have to think, for himself let alone a unit. Some guys have elite of talent or instinct and if put in position to just play they thrive. Rodney was that rare bird who could think for the group and execute for himself simultaneously. Sanders is an excellent group thinker although he lacks the elite talent to execute consistently as an impact player himself. If others develop the ability to think and execute simultaneously he becomes less significant. But for now the young or inexperienced in this defense secondary needs a central brain and he's it.

condon84

As much as I bagged on this guy, his recent insertion in the starting lineup has had a positive effect on our team. I hope he keeps it going and keeps proving his doubters (including me) wrong.

Mack Herron

Sun was as good as I've seen Sanders play.

DW Toys

Cousins,
I have my opinion on JS. I feel McGown who is still second in team tackles was a better athlete and defender (and obviously a better tackler) but not as versed in the play calling being here only one pre-season. Here is the BB dilema-Do you pull Merriweather who had troubles to call the DB coverage plays and had his troubles on his angles or abilities to line up correctly himself at the beginning of the season and beyond, which were the result of some big plays by the other team, or McGowan who is decent on coverage and plays in the box well but is not your coverage caller and has never been? You can't limit Merriweather snaps.

I will give JS credit he calls a better DB game but his physical ability is very limited and is slow. Chung is the heir and future, but alas a rookie. I just don't believe that Merriweather has the mental capacity to call plays but is the most gifted between McGowan and Sanders and that is fine.

Somebody needs to make the calls. As long as he doesn't have to cover anybody JS is fine for now. I don't want him starting for the Colts or Chargers games. McGowan stuffed Clark pretty well in the Indy game. Do you want Sanders to cover Clark or Gates? ...............No thank you signal caller or not.
DW Toys

satz

Sanders has 18 tackles in the last 4 games leads the team .

He is solid and lets merriweather roam and use his instinct to make plays.Yesterday they moved Sanders in the middle on short yardage and he played ILB.-4 down stop in first quater.

we played 3 safety anyway and sanders gives you the flexiblity to play ILB which merriweather,mcgown and chung don`t.Rodney has always said James sanders is the man. Merriweather said 2 weeks ago that sanders is the smartest player he has played with recently.

He is not fast but is a thumper and is very effective when you have him near the LOS to lay the wood on Slot WR, TE and RB.With him we can play have him as a backup as sometimes we see mayo and guyton struggling calling plays.

amazing that so many high draft pick struggle in the mental aspect when a mid day pick like him excels at it.

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TheComeback

I think teams caught up with McGowan's inability to cover wide receivers. He's still a good player and gives us excellent depth at the position, especially as a prototypical strong safety, and should keep improving as he becomes more familiar with the system. Brandon's a big-hitter and has a knack for covering tight ends, which should really help us in the playoffs--we could end up facing Antonio Gates and Dallas Clark down the stretch. That used to be a big weakness for us, and now it's a strength.

Sanders has improved a lot over the years. For a fourth round draft pick, he brings superb value to the team. He knows the Patriots system better than any other defensive back the Pats have, and the importance of that shouldn't be underestimated. It seems like guys are finally staying in position and making most of their tackles before the ballcarrier can get to the first-down line. They are playing smarter, more disciplined football in the secondary. That's much more important than coming up with big hits. What Sanders lacks in athletic ability, he's made up for with intelligence.

The other benefit I've seen from his presence is that Brandon Meriweather has been used in the box more often than before, which I think takes advantage of his explosiveness. I'd like see BM used on blitzes and short yardage situations more often, as he is similar to Rodney in that role.

condon84

Sanders is limited physically and may not be suited to cover the likes of Gates or Clark, but we can't deny the fact that since he has been inserted in the starting lineup, our chemistry has been better. Whether this continues or not, remains to be seen. But we have to ride the "hot" player at the moment, much like we rode McGowan when he was the "hot" player earlier this season.

Thing with Sanders before that I couldn't stand was his tentative playing style. He played it too safe and was always hovering around after the play was over.

Now do we want a player like that? Or do we want a player that sometimes can be too agressive and give up the huge play?

What were seeing right now and what I'm liking is a more aggressive Sanders. He still lacks the athleticism of McGowan, Chung, and Merriweather, but seems to me that he's using his smarts to overcome his deficiencies and playing aggressive style football within the confines of this defense.

I'm surprised and I hope he continues.