patsox23

While it's becoming increasingly clear that Meriweather will indeed see the vast majority of his time at SAFETY, I don't think that necessarily means he won't make a sizable impact on the secondary. If he can grow into what the team expected he'd be - a dynamic, fast, playmaking member of the secondary - and if he can improve his hands EVEN A LITTLE BIT ("plenty of room for growth" is the optimistic way of looking at it) - the defense will overcome the massive loss of an all-pro corner with less concern than most think.

Thoughts?

signbabybrady

Although Meriweather didn't start out as quick and strong as most had hoped, he was having very steady improvements as the year went on, his playing time increased as the year went on, making it obvious he was learning and improving. And that gives me great reason to be optimistic that he will make huge jumps this season. I look for him to be the Starter opposite Harrison and Sanders to be the Rotation guy. they will still use him as a corner in some sub packages as well.

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JoePats

Agree. I think the opinion of Meriweather would be drastically different (higher) if he actually caught one or two of the six interceptions that he dropped at the end of last year. I'm not saying that's not an issue, but it's certainly a correctable one. I'd rather have a guy in position to drop 6 interceptions than not in position.

Note--I'm not killing him at all for the one at the end of the Super Bowl. That would have been a ridiculous catch, running with his back to the LOS and the ball and making a diving catch. In terms of degree of difficulty, that play was much much closer to the Tyree catch than it was to the Samuel INT drop.

PatsFan37

What's this got to do with spygate?

Seriously, Belichick has been making an obvious effort to bring speed to the defense. If you want interceptions, you absolutely have to have safeties who provide security for a CB to jump the route. That means a smart, fast safety who reads the offense, calls out the right play and puts the CBs in the right position. And has the speed to back them up. That's Meriweather. It doesn't hurt that he can hit.

So what's not to like?

When you think about the sequence of events: Rodney present to school Sanders and Meriweather, and between Hobbs and Wheatley, a lot of speed at corner, the pieces are in place for what folks always call an opportunistic defense.

Yup, I see a big role for this kid this year.

hwc

I thought he worked his way onto the field according to the kind of rookie schedule we typically see from Belichick (when there's not an injury hole that requires throwing a rook to the wolves).

Belichick always says the improvement from year one to year two should be the biggest jump in a player's career. If that holds for Merriweather, he should be a contributing part of a solid rotation with Sanders and Harrison at safety. Ideally, you'd like to make the aging Harrison a role player at this stage of his career

patsox23

Couldn't agree more. This has become a fallacy people in Patriot Nation seem to push forward. That was NOT an example of the easy INTs we saw Brandon drop all year. That would've been a highlight-reel pick.

I take some consolation that Meriweather was, at least, IN POSITION to make a lot of plays last season. That's a far more important aspect of his game than his hands (which, to be fair, is obviously critical). Hopefully he can improve, at least somewhat, in terms of being able to hang onto the ball.

BelichickFan

I'll be very disappointed if Meriweather isn't ready to step up. He seemed young when we drafted him (compared to Mayo and Wheatley for sure) so I'm not surprised he got off to a slow start. But with the flashes we saw in the second half, a full offseason to work and a top notch DB coach, I expect him to force his way into the lineup. I also remember reading him saying he's been getting much needed work with the JUGGS machine this offseason.

patsox23

I expect by mid-season that the starters will be Meriweather and Sanders, with Rodney seeing a lot of time.

Grizzafted

what are you people thinking discussing football and football players?

don't you realize we must focus on videotapes and scandals and the like at all costs?

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bring 'em on...

jays52

I also think Meriweather is ready for a big year. He has followed the normal schedule that most of our really strong 1st round players have followed. I think he is fast, agile, explosive and can really pop.

Scheme wise, I think it's going to be Meriweather and Sanders over the top with Rodney getting situational work and as an OLB in sub-packages.

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