Does Brandon Merriweather have what it takes to be a Patriot? - New England Patriots Forums

JoeSixPat · 04-24-2007, 09:25 PM

I've seen Merriweather appearing on an awful lot of mock drafts as a Patriots pick... but given his on and off field behavior problems, I'm really having a difficult time envisioning him on this team.

This has probably been discussed adnasueum in this forum but just wondering where everyone comes down on Merriweather's ability to turn things around and behave the way this team would demand.

No one seems to doubt his football talent - its just his behavior that makes me question why so many mock drafts have him going with the Patriots. Don't they follow this team and know how the owner and coach feel about problem players?

Safety is obivously a huge issue with us - right up there with ILB - but I'm more inclined to go with my wildass gut prediction that the Patriots will trade for the Redskin's #6 pick and grab LaRon Landry to give us a dominant Safety for years to come.

(Yes I know very few are predicting a trade up, but I think BB has a pretty good record drafting at #6 - and someone of Big Sey's caliber strikes me as being worth two late 1st round picks plus whatever other draft pick that trade up would demand.)

zarakotas5 · 04-24-2007, 10:09 PM

I expect that many teams will regret not picking him when they had the chance. To me, it smells like a lot of self-righteous people have forgotten that things under a microscope appear much bigger than they really are.

Miami-Dade ain't in the business of just clearing young black men of gun charges, due to similarly sinister expectations. Throwing a few relatively innocuous licks (all things considered) during a violent melee in the midst of a game designed for violence is far from a reason for personal damnation. Hell, I don't even step on ants in real life, if I can help it. When I played football, a "rival" jammed his cleats into my toes. I punched him in the gut and knocked him out the game. If it had been seen, I never would have played again. It was the only dirty thing I have ever done and still feel guilty about 10 years later. For example.

***Box_O_Rocks*** · 04-24-2007, 11:01 PM

Issues to consider:
- Is there a character problem? The Pats will have much better insight than I can muster.
- Is his size a concern given the pounding a Patriot Safety takes? I say yes.
- Is a first round Safety a better value than another position? I say no.
- If Meriweather passes the background investigation, is he a good fit/value at CB at the end of round one? Could be, BB will know.

I can't answer your question, NFL Network pundits with better access to league personnel are leaning toward Meriweather slipping into the second round because there are issues. It looks like this kid has the tools to be a very good NFL player, we'll see who has confidence in him Saturday.

danny88 · 04-24-2007, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Box_O_Rocks

Issues to consider:
- Is there a character problem? The Pats will have much better insight than I can muster.
- Is his size a concern given the pounding a Patriot Safety takes? I say yes.
- Is a first round Safety a better value than another position? I say no.
- If Meriweather passes the background investigation, is he a good fit/value at CB at the end of round one? Could be, BB will know.

I can't answer your question, NFL Network pundits with better access to league personnel are leaning toward Meriweather slipping into the second round because there are issues. It looks like this kid has the tools to be a very good NFL player, we'll see who has confidence in him Saturday.

The kid made a mistake in that brawl. The gun crap is stupid. If he was not found guilty of any crimes by the MIAMI POLICE, he should not have to deal with those comments. It is legal to carry a registered gun in this country. It is also legal top protect yourself with a registered gun in certain situations. The police agreed that is what Meriweather was doing, nuff said.There are a hell of a lot of players that have guns. They dont broadcast it, so you dont see it.

zarakotas5 · 04-25-2007, 12:05 AM

It should also be noted (as I'm sure it has been) that guns in FLA is akin to Dunkin' Donuts is NE. Guns shops everywhere, concealed guns on more hips that you can shake a stick at, etc. Merriweather is a native Floridian. His papa his 5-0. etc, etc. Punching back ain't a crime. In FLA, shooting back ain't a crime.

As to the melee: MELEE. 1 of 100+. Some players on the other team are seen as sleeper picks in comparison, despite.

It ain't exactly ideal, but it also isn't quite what it seems. "Believe half of what you see and none of what you hear..."

mcsully · 04-25-2007, 12:44 AM

I'm in all for getting the kid from LSU, LaRon Landry . But the best we could hope is pick 7 or 8 if we give up our two picks.. rumor has it he might go #6 to the redskins..

Time will tell..

On to Brandon Meriweather, I agree his size scares me a little. Actually reminds me of Mr injury prone eugene wilson.. Both are 5-10 and under 200 pounds. I rather see our safties over 6 feet and 210 or so pounds.. Something Landry has.

sebman2112 · 04-25-2007, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Box_O_Rocks

Issues to consider:
- Is there a character problem? The Pats will have much better insight than I can muster.
- Is his size a concern given the pounding a Patriot Safety takes? I say yes.
- Is a first round Safety a better value than another position? I say no.
- If Meriweather passes the background investigation, is he a good fit/value at CB at the end of round one? Could be, BB will know.

I can't answer your question, NFL Network pundits with better access to league personnel are leaning toward Meriweather slipping into the second round because there are issues. It looks like this kid has the tools to be a very good NFL player, we'll see who has confidence in him Saturday.

Which pundits? Mayock the best guy on there say's Meriweather is the second best Safety in the draft, behind Landry.

sebman2112 · 04-25-2007, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcsully

I'm in all for getting the kid from LSU, LaRon Landry . But the best we could hope is pick 7 or 8 if we give up our two picks.. rumor has it he might go #6 to the redskins..

Time will tell..

On to Brandon Meriweather, I agree his size scares me a little. Actually reminds me of Mr injury prone eugene wilson.. Both are 5-10 and under 200 pounds. I rather see our safties over 6 feet and 210 or so pounds.. Something Landry has.

Why is it you guy's only think of the "injury prone" Safeties who are under 6'0?

If I comprise a list (have in the past) most of the FS's in the NFL are 6'0 or under, not 6'0 or above. There have been a lot of all-star FS's and SS who were under 6'0. Also, most college players gain weight after they enter the league.

Patriot Missile · 04-25-2007, 01:28 AM

I love the kid's instincts on the field. I happen to mock him in on my board@28. But I will agree there are some things that may turn some people off, His off field issues may be way blown out of proportion and I'm sure our sinister agents will get every detail of every event. His size is like some have said "Eugene Wilson like". However not every body is the same as we all know and some are just able to take more punishment than others. That's a fact whether you are a football,hockey,baseball player etc. I could see him adding on some more weight as he matures early on.

I don't think he is Ed Reed by any means,then again you never know. But again I do love his instincts,he seems to have a uncanny way of being around the ball just like T.Bruschi and a few others.

PATRIOT64 · 04-25-2007, 01:46 AM

No we won't be picking Merriweather in the first round - BB only picks first round players who have six or seven letters in their last name

Has been that way since he came here - Strange but true although it means literally nothing I guess,but a stat is a stat,I know,its weird and so am I sometimes