Pats loss to Bills: defensive backs discussion - New England Patriots Forums

***jmt57*** · 09-25-2011, 08:11 PM

Rather than simultaneous discussion in multiple threads on the topic of the Patriots' secondary, how about we consolidate those comments into one thread right here.

***mgteich*** · 09-25-2011, 08:39 PM

A) We have four fine corners who have been playing injured: Bodden, McCourty, Dowling and Arrington. They have ZERO help from the safeties.

B) We have one solid starting strong safety in Chung, plus perhaps backup quality in Barrett and Brown.

C) We have had 3 special-teamers who seem to be masquarading as safeties: Barrett, Brown and ihedigbo.

I exagerrate some, since on nfl starting quality player would help enormously. Barrett and Brown might be decent #3/#4 safeties and even potential future solid starters.

D) We have some additional players on the roster: Adams, Molden and Ventrone
============================================

BOTTOM LINE
A) By mid-season, the seven man defensive backfield could be much better.

The corners and Chung should be healthier. Brown and Barrett might improve some. And someone we add might help. After all, we now have Adams, Molden, Ihedigbo and Ventrone. It is possible that we might find a way to use these FOUR roster spots to help the secondary in addition to helping the Special Teams.

Also, the secondary could get better if and when the front seven is healthier and learns the system better.

RayClay · 09-25-2011, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mgteich

A) We have four fine corners who have been playing injured: Bodden, McCourty, Dowling and Arrington. They have ZERO help from the safeties.

B) We have one solid starting strong safety in Chung, plus perhaps backup quality in Barrett and Brown.

C) We have had 3 special-teamers who seem to be masquarading as safeties: Barrett, Brown and ihedigbo.

I exagerrate some, since on nfl starting quality player would help enormously. Barrett and Brown might be decent #3/#4 safeties and even potential future solid starters.

D) We have some additional players on the roster: Adams, Molden and Ventrone
============================================

BOTTOM LINE
A) By mid-season, the seven man defensive backfield could be much better.

The corners and Chung should be healthier. Brown and Barrett might improve some. And someone we add might help. After all, we now have Adams, Molden, Ihedigbo and Ventrone. It is possible that we might find a way to use these FOUR roster spots to help the secondary in addition to helping the Special Teams.

Also, the secondary could get better if and when the front seven is healthier and learns the system better.

I tend to agree with this, at least the first part.

I'd like one of the more knowledgeable and or tape watching posters to comment on the possibility of this safety group getting the job done, or the alternative. I'm all for cutting guys that aren't getting it done/fitting in, but it does seem we've left ourselves short, even if healthy.

upstater1 · 09-25-2011, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mgteich

A) We have four fine corners who have been playing injured: Bodden, McCourty, Dowling and Arrington. They have ZERO help from the safeties.

B) We have one solid starting strong safety in Chung, plus perhaps backup quality in Barrett and Brown.

C) We have had 3 special-teamers who seem to be masquarading as safeties: Barrett, Brown and ihedigbo.

I exagerrate some, since on nfl starting quality player would help enormously. Barrett and Brown might be decent #3/#4 safeties and even potential future solid starters.

D) We have some additional players on the roster: Adams, Molden and Ventrone
============================================

BOTTOM LINE
A) By mid-season, the seven man defensive backfield could be much better.

The corners and Chung should be healthier. Brown and Barrett might improve some. And someone we add might help. After all, we now have Adams, Molden, Ihedigbo and Ventrone. It is possible that we might find a way to use these FOUR roster spots to help the secondary in addition to helping the Special Teams.

Also, the secondary could get better if and when the front seven is healthier and learns the system better.

I probably would have reserved judgement if I wasn't at the actual game today where I saw huge huge problems with the safeties that I wouldn't have seen if I had been watching TV. I mean, talk about late breaks. If these guys look like they're not making plays, it's because they are out to lunch.

***mgteich*** · 09-25-2011, 08:47 PM

For me, the sad thing is that we are only ONE player short. If Belichick had started Dowling at safety, I might have thought that we had a solid set of seven defensive backs.
If Belichick had retained one of the 3 safeties he let go or secured ONE solid safety, we would be fine later in the season when folks learn the system better; and then we have had a solid set of 8 defensive backs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RayClay

I tend to agree with this. I'd like one of the more knowledgeable and or tape watching posters to comment on the possibility of this safety group getting the job domne, or the alternative. I'm all for cutting guys that aren't getting it done/fitting in, but it does seem we've left ourselves short, even if healthy.

upstater1 · 09-25-2011, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RayClay

I tend to agree with this, at least the first part.

I'd like one of the more knowledgeable and or tape watching posters to comment on the possibility of this safety group getting the job done, or the alternative. I'm all for cutting guys that aren't getting it done/fitting in, but it does seem we've left ourselves short, even if healthy.

I spent the entire game at the stadium with my eye on the two safeties (and partly on Spikes). They simply were not breaking on the ball even when it was obvious where the ball was going. I hate to say it but I think they are totally hopeless. What I saw out there was uglier than I ever expected. When Dowling comes back, I want to see him at safety, or at least Arrington there.

Sfpat · 09-25-2011, 09:02 PM

Were any of the safeties who played for the Pats today drafted into the NFL?

RayClay · 09-25-2011, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by upstater1

I spent the entire game at the stadium with my eye on the two safeties (and partly on Spikes). They simply were not breaking on the ball even when it was obvious where the ball was going. I hate to say it but I think they are totally hopeless. What I saw out there was uglier than I ever expected. When Dowling comes back, I want to see him at safety, or at least Arrington there.

If they are that bad, why would a rookie and an UDFA cornerback make us whole? Don't get me wrong, I thought they might trade Meri and try Dowling at safety, but that was with the assumption od steady sanders there.

Not Not doubting the best coach of the last 2,3,4,5,10 years mind you, just wondering what the thought process is here. Does one of these anonymous safeties have possibilities, or is this a revolving door until we fix it?