Arrington: Should the Pats move him to Safety in 2011?

[jmt57]

In one of the draft threads PatsFaninME suggested that Belichick may draft a safety next spring with the intent of replacing Brandon Meriweather. Here was my response:

If we are to assume BB does trade Meriweather, what about moving Arrington to safety? With Bodden and Wilhite returning, along with (hopefully) more development by Butler, he may not see much of any playing time at corner. If he could make the switch to safety then the Pats could focus on other positions in the draft. I know you would prefer someone bigger at safety, but look at his play on special teams; that's what one would expect from a safety, not a cornerback.


Anyways, the suggestion was that the concept of moving Arrington to safety deserved its own thread. Anybody have any thoughts on that idea?

 

[Sciz]

I'd rather not have a guy on the Pats challenge Jim Leonhard for shortest safety in the NFL.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

When I think of Free Safety I'm looking for a disciplined ballhawk with great range, great open field tackling, great against the run, and great play diagnosis skills. Arrington falls a little short as a ballhawk, and I'm not sure how he is diagnosing plays, but he'd have decent range and he's a good tackler and good against the run.

I'm more inclined to see NE look at one or more big CBs in the draft who have demonstrated good ball skills, good tackling, and McCourty's ability to watch film and absorb an offense's tendencies. Or they could try to move Bodden to FS and leave Arrington at RCB if they don't retain Meriweather or arrange a trade deal after there's a new CBA.

 

[ALP]

meri is still here next year, so that he can lessen the drawbacks of the new guy, whoever he might be while learning to play safety

 

[yopats]

His size and the style of his play is compatible with Ed Reed..not saying he has the skill set but the idea of him Chung patrolling the secondary is quite appealing Plus cb is deep in this draft..think jenkins or harris ..I like Bodden coming back but I want that postion to be stocked and having butler as the slot cb might be the best fit

 

[Sciz]

Or they could try to move Bodden to FS and leave Arrington at RCB if they don't retain Meriweather or arrange a trade deal after there's a new CBA.

Much better option, in my opinion. He's a full 4 inches taller,is more experienced, and has shown more ball-hawking ability.

 

[Kontradiction]

I'm not really sure why we'd want to replace Meriweather. Aside from the absolutely dreadful angle that he took the other night, he's played solid for us this season. He's come up with a few turnovers and has laid the wood on opposing receivers over the middle. He's also assisted in run support and is not a liability in coverage. Why would we want to replace him with Arrington?

 

[Off The Grid]

I'm still not convinced that Stomper can't be redeemed, that Picture Perfect Pick on Sunday Night not withstanding...In fact, I think he's gone a long way towards justifying my earlier advocacy of him, as Brother Contra so aptly describes it. Even so, just for the sake of discussion...

I wonder what we could get for'm??

Tebucky Jones got us the equivalent of a 3rd, a 5th, and a 7th from the Saints in 2003: a 3rd and a 7th plus a 2004 4th...And he didn't make any Pro Bowls, that I recall.

I love Arrington, but I don't see him as a starting Safety.

I am vehemently against going Secondary in the 1st Round of next year's Draft, considering the Weaponry likely to be available for the Front 7, who I believe offer substantially greater potential Impact...so I'm not a fan of drafting Amukamara...But there are some intriguing possibilities, just the same, particularly among the Junior Class.

Tyler Sash, should he declare, would be a flat out DREAM.

Wouldn't it be something if we could trade Stomper for a 2nd Rounder and change?? And then draft a replacement for him with that very pick: One who VASTLY outperforms him and teams up with Pat Chung to forge an EPIC Safety tandem for the balance of a long, glorious decade.

THAT...to quote Brother ButtHead, Patron Saint of Things That Don't Suck...would be cool. :rocker:

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I'm not really sure why we'd want to replace Meriweather. Aside from the absolutely dreadful angle that he took the other night, he's played solid for us this season. He's come up with a few turnovers and has laid the wood on opposing receivers over the middle. He's also assisted in run support and is not a liability in coverage. Why would we want to replace him with Arrington?

Well, he's demonstrated a tendency towards inconsistency with the incident you described as one of several instances. He also appears to struggle getting the secondary lined up, which may be his greater sin.

The more important question is what happens to him after 2011 when he's a free agent? Both Meriweather and Chung required a year before they saw any steady playing time, if NE is put into the position of replacing Meriweather it doesn't hurt to start thinking about it for this draft class. Arrington, as some have suggested, isn't a great fit for the role, but Bodden would be ideal. I'd love to see the NE secondary in a couple more seasons if they can find the right player or Meriweather cleans up his game - Law and Harrison used to confuse teams by changing up the coverage, Bodden and McCourty both appear capable of executing those kind of games if the right Safety(s) develop.

 

[sbpatfan]

I'm not really sure why we'd want to replace Meriweather. Aside from the absolutely dreadful angle that he took the other night, he's played solid for us this season. He's come up with a few turnovers and has laid the wood on opposing receivers over the middle. He's also assisted in run support and is not a liability in coverage. Why would we want to replace him with Arrington?

I don't get it either. The GB game wasn't the first time we had defensive players run into each other. People just love hating on Meriweather more than anyone else it seems. I understand being critical or discussing his flaws, but why are people starting to assume he's good as gone already?

 

[DarrylS]

I'm not really sure why we'd want to replace Meriweather. Aside from the absolutely dreadful angle that he took the other night, he's played solid for us this season. He's come up with a few turnovers and has laid the wood on opposing receivers over the middle. He's also assisted in run support and is not a liability in coverage. Why would we want to replace him with Arrington?

I agree, we know he is a flake and has brain cramps, but overall he does a very good job... he is also under contract.

Also think Arrington has done admirably at corner.. much better than expected.

 

[convertedpatsfan]

I don't think Arrington is big enough to be your average safety, but he is very physical and a sound tackler, and very good in run support.

Chung has been very solid but struggles in coverage, as most safeties do. Arrington could perhaps play nickel, as we've often had a third safety out there over a third CB. Then again, that might have to do with the CB depth chart being a bit weak with Bodden's injury.

But I don't think Arrington could be a Meriweather replacement.

 

[Water Boy]

I don't get it either. The GB game wasn't the first time we had defensive players run into each other. People just love hating on Meriweather more than anyone else it seems. I understand being critical or discussing his flaws, but why are people starting to assume he's good as gone already?

Merriweather has pro-bowl physical skills, but it's troubling that he still is not mastering the mental aspect of the game and assimilating into the "Patriot way". Someone in another thread described him best IMO as the LoMo of the defense. I'm sure the Pats would resign Merriweather at a team friendly deal, but I think those of us who assume he's gone feel that it is likely other teams are going to be more willing to overlook his mental short-comings and place a higher value on him.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Merriweather has pro-bowl physical skills, but it's troubling that he still is not mastering the mental aspect of the game and assimilating into the "Patriot way". Someone in another thread described him best IMO as the LoMo of the defense. I'm sure the Pats would resign Merriweather at a team friendly deal, but I think those of us who assume he's gone feel that it is likely other teams are going to be more willing to overlook his mental short-comings and place a higher value on him.

Yea that was me who compared him to LoMo. I don't know if I am right, but there just seem to be a few parallels b/t/w the two players.

-Both highly skilled
-Both show flashes of brilliance
-Good guys and BB likes them
-Seem to be stubborn and set in their ways
-There just seems to be something "off"

Granted BM has stayed healthy so that a big difference.

 

[Kid~Brady]

Funny.... I thought this a couple games back but was too afraid to post or suggest this lol

 

[n8wood]

Merriweather is not a good tackler and often whiffs on the potential big hits - a liability on this defense.

He plays his own game which is why I agree with the earlier statement that he is the LoMo of this defense.

 

[mgteich]

Arrington is a fine special teamer, so good that he has a roster spot as a special teamer.

Arrington has surprised most and has been an adequate corner. He is learning and will likely get better as a corner.This gives Arrington a solid role as a backup corner. With Bodden back, he will certainly be given the chance to compete at nickel and dime. In any case, he will be the backup to Bodden and McCourty.

There is exactly zero reason to try to teach him a new position and hope that he will succeed. Why safety? Why not OLB? If we need a safety, we should draft or sign a safety or two. If we need an OLB, we draft or sign an OLB or two. Meanwhile, Arrington can continue to be valuable as a corner.

 

[mcsully]

MW's not getting traded or released. We have one more year with him and with no CBA, players can't be traded.. And while I don't see the season starting late, I dont' see the CBA being signed until after the draft.

 

[fair catch fryar]

Simple knee-jerk reactions on an otherwise promising future for the youngest "D" in the NFL. Meriweather is definitely not the brightest bulb on the X-mas tree, but he has been good at times and decent most of the times when playing. He has not been a malcontent yet and if anything needs a few more years to mature. Also, I still feel like the Pats need to use one of their top 6 picks on a safety. They get banged up so much, you can almost always count on someone going down. I love the way Chung plays, which only makes me that much more worried about it. (i.e. Bob Sanders)

 

[Triumph]

The Pats need to draft another CB or two. You can never have enough CBs in this defense. Beyond Bodden, McDroy and Arrington, the cupboards are bare.

Hope is not a plan and Wilhite and Butler both suck. Both have dropped to the bottom of the depth chart. Weve seen what the NE pass D looks like with Jonathan Wilhite manning one CB position.

Furthermore, Bodden will be 30 next season returning from injury and there is no gaurantee that he will will return to 2009 form, new 5 year contract or not. Also, theres no better time to draft and groom Boddens replacement.