mgteich

A few weeks ago, these players were the saviors of our 2012 secondary. Now they can't even get on the field (2 reps between them against Miami). As Hightower and Spikes do better in coverage, we don't even play the dime (2 reps against Miami). Chung got in at the end of the game.

Barring injury, excepting garbage time, expect to see our starting four (plus Arrington at nickel) get almost all the reps. That might be news to some, but Arrington playing a key role is a surprise to some, as is the almost nonexistent roles for Wilson and Cole.

The BOTTOM LINE is that Belichick is comfortable with the roles of his top 5, including Arrington at nickel.

manxman2601

Apart from that near big completion yesterday, I've been impressed with Arrington the last couple of games. It's funny you mentioned wilson, he compleyely slipped my mind yesterday. Didn't consider him for one moment.

JackBauer

Wilson's not very good in coverage, so there's that (not to say he won't improve, just that he's not there yet).

Arrington blows on the outside but he's been a revelation in the slot. If the "big three" + McCourty remain healthy I like our chances.

Sicilian

I imagine the dime and increased rotation at nickel will become more prevalent against teams with better passing options. Against Miami, I'm guessing we stayed a little bigger to keep the run in check.

But I've been satisfied with Arrington's play lately too. He shouldn't be a starter on the outside, but seeing nickel snaps in the slot seems to play more to his strengths. He's even had some good blitzes in there the last few weeks, which is something we haven't seen from our secondary all year.

Bonzo

Yup, it seems indeed the personnel/strategy in the secondary has begun to solidify (barring injury of course). Which, with a quarter of the season remaining, is for the best and should afford the unit ample opportunity to continue to gel.

AndyJohnson

You really can't use one game as a vision of the next. Based upon the opponent we will use different packages more or less frequently.
I think less dime is a statement on Miami rather than a statement on the LBs coverge skill supposedly improving overnight.

signbabybrady

Arringtons resurgence is interesting to me. Because I still think you can see him at times getting beat even in the slot but I think he has two things going for him in their 1) he isnt drawing the best WRs most of the time 2) he is able to play more physical on the inside. Getting him into a role that he is more comfortable with is certainly helping the secondary right now and By Dennard being better on the outside and pushing Arrington we have made 2 spots better.

I think Wilson was being hailed as a savior because he made some big plays early in the year and the truth is they probably came before he was truly ready for a solid role he is still a rookie. But I dont think anyone thought Cole was a savior but rather as a solid STs contributor we figured he owuld be dressed most games and the few reps he got looked better than the garbage we were seing from the postion. Just my 2 cents.

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PATSYLICIOUS

Agreed that with Arrington playing better in the slot, there has not been much need for Cole as long as Arrington can keep this up.

Tavon I'm still hoping can take reps from Chung/Gregory. None of the 3 IMO are fully proven to be relied upon for starter snaps but in a limited role they can be effective. So I think Tavon could still provide help to the secondary.

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Ivan

Who called either of those players "saviors?"

mgteich

Reiss and others have Chung is lower in the depth chart than Wilson. As of now, Wilson is our dime back.

As long as he is healthy, I find it extremely unlikely that Gregory will not start for the remainder of the season. Obviously our 2012 subs are better than our 2013 starters at safety.

In the good news department, I would note that our top 3 safeties are ALL signed for 2013 (and we will likely add a draft choice).