Originally Posted by dannydyn

Since when does post count means anything? It means jack…. My ‘newbie’ status on this board has zero correlation with my familiarity with the Pats. For all you know, I’ve been a fan longer than you have been alive….

Bills game? Whoo-hoo! Must have been my lucky day… great, the guy had a ‘lights out’ game. Kudos to him. Not going to take it away from him. But on the long run he has caused this team more damage than anything. I already read what BB had to say about it, thank you very much. BB would never badmouth the skills (or lack thereof) of any of his players in public – you should know that. Any criticism (especially in this organization) is done behind closed doors. For all you know he’s ripping Mccourty a new one as we speak.

Look, I don’t care for a one-game (or even one season performance). I let the statistics do the talking here. The bottom line is that if you average his career performance, he comes out to be a crappy corner. And that’s not just me saying that (with my all 6 posts). Half the fan base (maybe even more) think the guy stinks. He has a ‘haters’ thread dedicated to him for crying out loud. Obviously others have noticed. The guy is a pure liability. Any third string QB looks like Joe Montana when he throws into his coverage.

The guys pure sucks, point blank!

Originally Posted by Big-T

So what about his in depth discussion about technique? The players are coached to not turn and look for the ball, so is it McCourty's fault he's being coached in such a way?

The team needs a new DB coach and a change in philosophy that allows the corners to actually turn and look for the ball because what they're doing now clearly doesn't work, when they do actually turn around good things happen - McCourty's rookie season, Butler's rookie season (see a trend?), Dennard against the Broncos.

Seems you're on a crusade against McCourty too, what's your opinion on Kyle Arrington's play this year? Or Sterling Moore?

Originally Posted by MoLewisrocks

One of Bill's favorite adages is stats are for losers. If what you thought was remotely true McCourty not only wouldn't be a team captain, he'd be benched or playing in a limited, reserve role. After all this is a meritocracy and you earn snaps by doing your job AS COACHED.

Originally Posted by smg93

So you're ok with him not turning his head and getting PI's just because you think "Ernie" has reams of data? I also don't understand why you feel that not turning his head means he is erring on the side of caution?

I've stated before that McCourty is many times in position to make a play especially on an underthrown ball which means that it isn't a missed assignment or a blown coverage. If he's half a step or a step behind the receiver and the QB throws a perfect ball, there's no defense that can prevent that. Those other guys get paid too.

But on a ball that isn't perfect, turning your head will give you an opportunity for a takeaway and at the very very least will at minimum make the ref think twice about throwing the flag if he thinks you're trying to make a play on the ball.

Originally Posted by MoLewisrocks

A couple of those calls have been questionable. The obvious ones are the price you pay. Really, the alternative is often the completion and more. AWTE explains the when and why. Sometimes he does get his head around, as he did in Buffalo. It's like everything else with Belichick, situational.

Originally Posted by MoLewisrocks

So, what does McCourty really need to be...clairvoyant I guess. He's also coached on what assumptions to make and that is likely adjusted in game based on the kind of day a specific QB is otherwise having. Ernie's contribution to the effort is rooted in probabilities. It's something Steve Belichick also dabbled in while at Annapolis.

Originally Posted by MoLewisrocks

LOL That's a big problem around here. Just understand, even if you had talent you wouldn't last long on a BB team. Talent is meaningless if it won't accept coaching. That's why guys like Meriweather get cut. Even Ty Law had to learn to adapt his style and talent and do it Bill's way, because unless everyone does the units are talent limited. Asante's not here because he guessed wrong too often and it was costlier when he did that than beneficial when guessed right.

Originally Posted by RodThePat

Pretty much every defensive back we have drafted since Eugene Wilson has progressively gotten worse with each passing season. I can't think of a single player who actually developed in that time frame. Either Belichick has no idea how to evaluate talent on that position, or the coaching staff has failed in making these guys reach their potential. Really, there's no other option here.

Originally Posted by Nunchucks

Patriots won a superbowl with Earthwind Moreland, Randall Gay and Assante Samuel (who got better the longer he played for the patriots)