Sciz

If we were getting the 2009 versions of Sanders and Meriweather, then yeah. Probably even the 2010 versions. But during the preseason, there were a few hints that both of these players were disappointing. Meriweather was benched. Sanders missed a lot of practice. There were reports that Belichick was "desperate" for a free safety. Obviously neither of the two were cutting it.

Now, it could be a situation where Belichick went with the unknown because he decided that the known wasn't good enough. But it's not like both of these players were cut out of nowhere. There were definitely a few signs that said that these guys weren't playing up to expectations.

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VJCPatriot

Maybe BB has faith in Sergio Brown? I started a thread earlier on the possibility of him being a starting safety kinda by default. Meriweather, well we saw all the warning signs. Despite his 'pro bowl' selections, he was constantly making mental mistakes and messing up assignments. I'm only surprised we didn't at least manage to get a draft pick for him, even a 4th would have been nice. Sanders is a decidedly average safety, but he knew the system well, I'm more surprised at the Sanders cut and I think he must have had some kind of injury issue. Page and McGowan, well the Pats weren't going to bid on them at free agent rates so they were as good as gone. Ihedigbo and Barrett are completely unknown quantities to me. BB must like something about them?

I wouldn't read too much into the safety play from the SD game because I believe that by design, they were assigned to blanket/suffocate Gates and they did just that. They didn't do much of anything else though. Let's see if we get some more progress from our secondary against the Bills in game 3. BTW if Dowling isn't healthy, we might finally get to see more of Molden.

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patsfaninpittsburgh

Sounds good

supafly

Agreed.

Like I said, I don't like to question the moves of such a well-earned reputation, but I am referring more to the 'lesser known' names such as Page and McGowan personally.

You are right, we don't KNOW for sure if they'd be upgrades to Barrett, but I do believe they'd be upgrades to Ihedigbo.

I think the bottom line is that I don't think he should've nixed everyone all at once, so we can go back and forth with specific names (and you'd be more right than wrong with guys such as BMcG), but the entire removal and starting from scratch is what I don't really care for or personally agree with.

I think if anything, we could have still had use for a guy like Page or Sanders. Then we'd have no Ihedigbo, and could have had Barrett and Brown learn a bit before throwing them directly in the fire.

Only time will tell if it was the right decision or not, but so far I am leaning towards it being a lost gamble.

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supafly

I really like S.Brown myself, but I am wondering if he could have been showcased as a role player with a little better of a supporting cast instead (?)

You are right that apparently BB likes something, so we'll have to trust that for now.

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Deus Irae

If Barrett had been on the team for Sunday's game, and he'd suffered a heart attack on the field, falling into a heap and being completely unable to move, how would that have been significantly worse than what he was doing for much of the game when he was in there?

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patsfaninpittsburgh

I wouldn't be shocked if BB's evaluation criteria is considerably different from your criteria....and everyone else on this thread.

Sciz

Anybody watching the TV version of the game saw at most 50% of what Barrett was doing last Sunday.

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Deus Irae

I always love that argument. It's as if people think it means something. Is it possible that Barrett was amazing in that theoretical 50%? Sure, but it's highly unlikely given that he looked like garbage in the other 50%.

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sbpatfan

Our safeties blow, neither Ihedigbo or Barrett look capable of covering / playing the run. But hey, when they mess up because they suck at least they know why they suck. Meri might have been an idiot freelancer but at least that dude can ball.