Another post from the NEInsider guy on ESPN Message Board - Page 4 - New England Patriots Forums

BradyManny · 03-18-2008, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sebman2112

I've always thought Meriweather had the ability to play CB, as I brought up his holding Calvin Johnson in check, and the four games where he didn't give up a single reception on passes thrown his direction. That being said, I like him better at Safety, and I think his ceiling is higher at Safety. Brandon also didn't seem quite as comfortable at CB when NE tried him out there.

I don't see any reason to put Meriweather at CB...I agree his ceiling is way higher at FS. He could be the perfect FS for their system, and he was playing really well down the stretch. He could make a huge difference for the defense simply by being included in the starting lineup at FS next season.

There's too many other options at CB (Law, any draftee at any pick other than #7), to weaken themselves at safety and move Meriweather over. Sanders, Harrison and Tank Williams are all strong safeties, so they'd have to rely on the draft again to get a FS if they are moving Meriweather to corner.

NYCPatsFan · 03-18-2008, 05:25 PM

Thanks for posting this. Though he is an NE insider, I felt happy on reading his well articulated comments on Moss.

unoriginal · 03-18-2008, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BradyManny2344

Sanders, Harrison and Tank Williams are all strong safeties, so they'd have to rely on the draft again to get a FS if they are moving Meriweather to corner.

Athletically, Harrison and Williams are much closer to each other than is James Sanders. They may move Meriweather to CB if they feel Sanders is a better FS right now, which is what he played last year.

SavioKid · 03-18-2008, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unoriginal

Athletically, Harrison and Williams are much closer to each other than is James Sanders. They may move Meriweather to CB if they feel Sanders is a better FS right now, which is what he played last year.

Could the PATS be planting the draft 'seed': fooling teams that they won't take a CB to force them to trade with them for their #7 ?!?

unoriginal · 03-18-2008, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SavioKid

Could the PATS be planting the draft 'seed': fooling teams that they won't take a CB to force them to trade with them for their #7 ?!?

If they are, I hope they have more clandestine ways of doing it than anonymous posts to the ESPN message board.

***DaBruinz*** · 03-18-2008, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unoriginal

Athletically, Harrison and Williams are much closer to each other than is James Sanders. They may move Meriweather to CB if they feel Sanders is a better FS right now, which is what he played last year.

Sanders played both Free Safety and Strong Safety. However, it was Meriweather who was getting most of the snaps in the SB at Free Safety.

unoriginal · 03-18-2008, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaBruinz

Sanders played both Free Safety and Strong Safety. However, it was Meriweather who was getting most of the snaps in the SB at Free Safety.

Was he? I thought Meriweather was on the field mostly in the nickel package, with the stud (Harrison) playing robber.

***DaBruinz*** · 03-18-2008, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unoriginal

Was he? I thought Meriweather was on the field mostly in the nickel package, with the stud (Harrison) playing robber.

Nope. Meriweather spent a lot of time opposite Harrison with Sanders on the Bench. And then, when BB pulled Harrison for the dumb penalties, Meriweather was back out there opposite Sanders.

They rotated the 3 of them, honestly.

kas · 03-18-2008, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaBruinz

Nope. Meriweather spent a lot of time opposite Harrison with Sanders on the Bench. And then, when BB pulled Harrison for the dumb penalties, Meriweather was back out there opposite Sanders.

They rotated the 3 of them, honestly.

From what I saw, Sanders and Meriweather were playing deep (from what I could see, usually Brandon over Asante with Sanders and Hobbs in 3 deep coverage), with Harrison closer to the LOS more in a LB type of role. This was especially true in passing situations.

With the way the game is evolving, I think having a slightly undersized but athletic and physical secondary is the way to go.

***blackglass3*** · 03-18-2008, 06:59 PM

I was in love with Meriweather since I had started reading up on him before the draft, and actually cheered when they announced his name at the podium. Watching him blossom last year was truly awesome, and I think a move to CB would stunt his growth, so to speak.

Speaking of him, does anyone have a video clip of his open field CLOBBERING of Ted Ginn Jr? I can't find it anywhere.