farn

Been thinking quite a bit about the backfield lately. Seems as though there are many varying opinions about it.

What is the actual situation right now ? I suppose there is reason for optimism, with McCourty's emergeance and Bodden's return. But are we really that great back there ? What if McCourty takes a step backwards or Bodden doesn't regain his form ? Also, though Chung seems to be universally praised, have the Patriots become disenchanted with Merriweather (as reported) and is Sanders as valable as BB seems to feel he is ?

I'd actually like to hear your input because I don't know if I should be worried or confident.

mgteich

Some will always worry. Some will trust Bill no matter what.

IMHO, our secondary is better than last year. Compared to 2010, we've ADDED Bodden and Dowling. Also, Arrington and Chung are more experienced.

In addition, our front seven is improved over 2010. This should also improve the performance of the secondary.

DarrylS

Four of five years ago we were bringing in the Hank Poteats of the world off the street and asking Troy to play 2 way. Would guess that BB realized that this was probably not the best approach to deal with all of this.

Singing Bodden, drafting McCourty, Dowling, Chung, Meriweather, Sanders and the rest of them herald a team that has improved significantly..

Still missing is a Rodney Harrison type player, a playmaker that can change the tone of the defense.. perhaps it will be Chung who made tremendous strides last year.

Not a huge fan of Meriweather, but for some reason the coaches and other players get him to the pro bowl.. so I am missing something. His major issue is that he would much rather freelance, than "do his job"..

With a different defensive line, expect that we will not be near the bottom on third down conversions this year very optimistic about this group.

__________________
"Being the best doesn't mean you always win. It just means you win more than anyone else".. tweet from Kurt Warner to Tom Brady.

Ron Sellers

If you want to look at it that way then every fan of all 32 teams could or should have a similar concern about every position on every team. To me the depth as well as quality of the defensive backfield of the Patriots should be the very least concern of any fan of the Pats.

But to answer your question, after Bodden or McCourty there is Arrington, Butler, Dowling and Wilhite. No, probably not as good as Bodden or McCourty, but that's to be expected from guys listed as backups on a depth chart. But let me ask this: what team is deeper at CB? What team has a better alternative as a number three safety?

It's just not realistic to expect your team to have All-Pros as backups in case somebody gets hurt. Besides, young players do unexpectedly step up when called upon, as we saw with Arrington and Connolly last year. I know some of the nay-sayers like to make fun of the optimists here, but there is a valid reason for the IBBWT mantra: the coaching staff has a proven track record.

Don't worry about, enjoy the ride, and let it all ride out and see what happens.

livinginthe past

Some of you guys are clinically negative - a great trade/FA period - resigned our best O-lineman to a long term deal.....


...and you want to worry about a rookie regressing who made the Probowl in his first year?

You need to start enjoying things when they are good because they won't always be.

Patriot 37

If Bodden returns to 2009 form (all indications from camp are good) and McCourty plays at 2010 level then is the best CB tadem the Patriots have had since 2003 Law/Poole (I don't believe Law and Samuel even played together for a whole season).

nnmnmmnn

I'm feeling pretty darn good about the secondary this year. Meriweather gets criticism, but he's still a solid player. Not sure he'll be back next year, but for now, there are things far worse than having BMW as your starting safety. With Chung and brown, I can also sleep at night.

And there's enough depth at CB that one of the trainwrecks that have been wilhite and butler will be gone. There's even hope here for one of them, butler has been said to look good so far this year.

DarrylS

If Meriweather is awful, why do his peers and coaches vote him to the Pro Bowl?? At least 2/3 of the voters think he deserves to be there.

__________________
"Being the best doesn't mean you always win. It just means you win more than anyone else".. tweet from Kurt Warner to Tom Brady.

Haley

The somewhat souring on Chung around here is a huge surprise to me. He was an absolute play maker last year. Whether key tackles, interceptions or blocked kicks, he was always changing the outcome of the game. Now I understand every player should always strive to get better but I don't believe Chung to be a replaceable guy. He brings something special to the team and has enormous potential for someone so young.

As for BM, he is held to a higher standard because of his seniority and pro bowl status. As such he makes way too many mistakes but the talent level required to replace him is far greater than is often portrayed. However I do think that for his salary level, he is replaceable. I don't really get that spark from him, at least not so much anymore. Maybe he will prove me wrong by having a really stellar year.

D-Money

I expect the secondary to be a strenght considering everyone's high on Bodden.If its not anything less then that, then its a huge dissapointment!