Meriweather trade value?

[Jared]

FIRST: Yes I am aware that we cannot trade players for picks under the current lack of CBA. This is more of a thought excerise than anything else. Assume for the purposes of this post that a new CBA gets done before the draft, and that there will be a 2011 season.


Now that being said, I think most Pats fans will agree that Meriweather doesn't deserve to be in the Pro Bowl this year. He isn't even the best safety on the team, let alone in the AFC. Sanders is more reliable, even if he is not as physically gifted as #31. The coaching staff seems to like Sergio enough to keep giving him more playing time. Meriweather admits that he freelances too much, among his traits that do not endear him to the coaching staff.

So it seems to me that with one year left on his contract, and coming off his second Pro Bowl, Meriweather's value couldn't get any higher. Further, the Patriots are probably unlikely to resign him anyways, as I believe 1) other teams would out bid, and 2) he isn't really a stereotypical Patriots player.

So given those, what do you think Meriweather's value is? Is he worth a 2011 second rounder? Could you get a 2012 first from some team foolish to think he is the answer for their secondary problems? Or is he at best a 3rd/4th round type?

 

[PatriotDynasty_12]

Wonder if the Pro Bowl title raises his trade value at all? With that said, I don't think BB would settle for anything less than a 2nd.

 

[Kontradiction]

We have one of the deepest safety rotations in the AFC with Meriweather being among the most physically gifted of them. He isn't a liability in coverage, he helps out in run support, he gets his hands on the ball, and he can set the tone for a game by decapitating somebody going over the middle (an act which is very underrated when it comes to dictating to the offense what they can and cannot do). Why would we want to trade him with another year left on his contract?

 

[Haley]

shhhhh not if you keep telling people this!

Meriweather is the greatest safety ever! It will take quite an offer to rip him away! He's like Superman out there!! BEST SAFETY EVER AND NOW PRO-BOWL TOO!

 

[Brady-To-Branch]

It would have to involve an extension.

The bigger question has to be would Meriweather get tagged after 2011?

 

[Nikolai]

We have one of the deepest safety rotations in the AFC with Meriweather being among the most physically gifted of them. He isn't a liability in coverage, he helps out in run support, he gets his hands on the ball, and he can set the tone for a game by decapitating somebody going over the middle (an act which is very underrated when it comes to dictating to the offense what they can and cannot do). Why would we want to trade him with another year left on his contract?

This is how I feel about Meriweather. I'm not on the hatewagon.

 

[Jared]

We have one of the deepest safety rotations in the AFC with Meriweather being among the most physically gifted of them. He isn't a liability in coverage, he helps out in run support, he gets his hands on the ball, and he can set the tone for a game by decapitating somebody going over the middle (an act which is very underrated when it comes to dictating to the offense what they can and cannot do). Why would we want to trade him with another year left on his contract?

I have a few questions for you:

1) Do you foresee the Patriots trying to re-sign him?

2) If so, do you think the Patriots would be willing to pay him Top 5 S money?

3) Do you believe any OTHER teams would be willing to pay him Top 5 S money?

The real issue is that after 2011, the Patriots are unlikely to get into a bidding war for him. We've seen that the Patriots are willing to get value for a guy they aren't going to re-sign. The question isn't if BM is good or bad. The question is 1) Will the Patriots out bid for him, and if not 2) what value can they get before they lose him.

 

[Kontradiction]

I have a few questions for you:

1) Do you foresee the Patriots trying to re-sign him?

2) If so, do you think the Patriots would be willing to pay him Top 5 S money?

3) Do you believe any OTHER teams would be willing to pay him Top 5 S money?

The real issue is that after 2011, the Patriots are unlikely to get into a bidding war for him. We've seen that the Patriots are willing to get value for a guy they aren't going to re-sign. The question isn't if BM is good or bad. The question is 1) Will the Patriots out bid for him, and if not 2) what value can they get before they lose him.

Where are you hearing that Meriweather may want Top 5 safety money?

EDIT: Since I'm leaving on a long road trip in a few minutes, I'll just answer your questions: Yes, I see the Pats trying to re-sign him. No, I don't think that the Pats should pay him top five safety money. Yes, I believe another team might be willing to give him top five safety money (he would go good with what the Broncos and Chiefs currently have back there, for example).

 

[unoriginal]

It's possible that Meriweather is in an Ellis Hobbs-type situation where if the Pats see a FS they really like in the draft they'll happily trade the last year of Meriweather to make room on the roster, like they did for Butler.

Given how often the Pats stick Chung in the slot, he probably has the range to play Meriweather's position in the Cover 1.

 

[terabthia2]

This is how I feel about Meriweather. I'm not on the hatewagon.

I like him too. I hope we keep him. I don't know if he's at Pro Bowl level this year (probably not) and while sometimes he acts like his head isn't screwed on straight, it's not like he's a TO/RM type loose cannon, either. He's entertaining and makes some great plays. (granted, this year he's also made a couple of not-so-great ones.) Besides, where is it written that ALL Patriots players have to be buttoned-down Company Men types? Big Bang Clock can still be himself and work within the system.

 

[West Philly Patriot]

I think meriweather is our best cover safety followed by james sanders.

 

[fgssand]

We have one of the deepest safety rotations in the AFC with Meriweather being among the most physically gifted of them. He isn't a liability in coverage, he helps out in run support, he gets his hands on the ball, and he can set the tone for a game by decapitating somebody going over the middle (an act which is very underrated when it comes to dictating to the offense what they can and cannot do). Why would we want to trade him with another year left on his contract?

I agree with this assessment. I think the guy is GOOD, really good. Sure, he has been a little over zealous and perhaps is guilty of blowing an assignment here and there, but by and large, he is playing at a very high level and has been very successful.

I would be willing to bet that the coaches grades confirm what we are saying.

I do not know why the writers in this town are all over him, perhaps the way he carries himself or talks? Typical boston media, once again ready to eat their young for reasons that will never cease to amaze me.

The guy is a damn good safety (i did not say great), and has earned and deserves his second Pro-Bowl slot.

Nice going Brandon!

 

[Jared]

Where are you hearing that Meriweather may want Top 5 safety money?

EDIT: Since I'm leaving on a long road trip in a few minutes, I'll just answer your questions: Yes, I see the Pats trying to re-sign him. No, I don't think that the Pats should pay him top five safety money. Yes, I believe another team might be willing to give him top five safety money (he would go good with what the Broncos and Chiefs currently have back there, for example).

The edit is the more important part than your initial response. When it comes to free agency, I never begrudge a player trying to get all the money he can. It's just business. But if a team with money and a FUBAR defense (hello Denver Broncos) decides he'd be an upgrade, then we're in trouble.

Note that this entire discussion can also apply in 2012 with a franchise tag and trade, but I figured I'd start the discussion a year early, given his Pro Bowl status, and likelihood that his value won't increase more (unless he plays balls out in a contract year).

 

[sevengables_2207]

We have one of the deepest safety rotations in the AFC with Meriweather being among the most physically gifted of them. He isn't a liability in coverage, he helps out in run support, he gets his hands on the ball, and he can set the tone for a game by decapitating somebody going over the middle (an act which is very underrated when it comes to dictating to the offense what they can and cannot do). Why would we want to trade him with another year left on his contract?

This echos my sentiments on the matter nicely. I do not see the upside to trade a valuable player in the secondary simply because his stock will seemingly never be higher than it is right now, and he is arbitrarily viewed by some fans as not a Patriot-type player. This does not fit the Belichick M.O. when it comes to personnel moves/decisions.

 

[The Gr8est]

We have one of the deepest safety rotations in the AFC with Meriweather being among the most physically gifted of them. He isn't a liability in coverage, he helps out in run support, he gets his hands on the ball, and he can set the tone for a game by decapitating somebody going over the middle (an act which is very underrated when it comes to dictating to the offense what they can and cannot do). Why would we want to trade him with another year left on his contract?

Including his own teammate like he did with McCourty. This is being discussed as well on Patriots Planet and is a worthy discussion. A lot of people felt it was foolish to trade Randy Moss and that one worked out well.

Meriwether is at his peak trade value coming off his 2nd Pro Bowl selection. I am not saying he is not a useful player. He clearly is, and he has name recognition which provides the sizzle that a lot of teams (generally losing ones) look for.

If BB can draft a guy like Kenny Tate, then it may be a good value to trade a guy who will probably not be kept after his initial contract. His play may just be too undisciplined for BB to tolerate much longer.

If he can control himself and take to BB's coaching then he may be able to stay long term, but on the other hand this may be the ideal time to move him.

Anyway IBBIT.

 

[Patstopia]

We have one of the deepest safety rotations in the AFC with Meriweather being among the most physically gifted of them. He isn't a liability in coverage, he helps out in run support, he gets his hands on the ball, and he can set the tone for a game by decapitating somebody going over the middle (an act which is very underrated when it comes to dictating to the offense what they can and cannot do). Why would we want to trade him with another year left on his contract?

This is it for me too. I don't understand the hate at all?

 

[Kontradiction]

The edit is the more important part than your initial response. When it comes to free agency, I never begrudge a player trying to get all the money he can. It's just business. But if a team with money and a FUBAR defense (hello Denver Broncos) decides he'd be an upgrade, then we're in trouble.

Note that this entire discussion can also apply in 2012 with a franchise tag and trade, but I figured I'd start the discussion a year early, given his Pro Bowl status, and likelihood that his value won't increase more (unless he plays balls out in a contract year).

There's too many variables to even consider before having this discussion right now, though. The first will be the new CBA. The second will be what our salary cap looks like when that time rolls around. The third will be what Meriweather wants. Will he want to get top five safety money or will he be willing to settle for less? Will he want to leave or will he want to stay? What will our crop of safeties look like then? What will our needs be there and elsewhere on the team?

 

[Bobs My Uncle]

This is it for me too. I don't understand the hate at all?

Nor do I. Meriweather is young and has proven to be an excellent player for us. I don't see the wisdom in trading away such a player.

 

[nabwong]

I think Meriweather is good. But if I were him, I wouldn't buy a house right now

 

[VJCPatriot]

So given those, what do you think Meriweather's value is? Is he worth a 2011 second rounder? Could you get a 2012 first from some team foolish to think he is the answer for their secondary problems? Or is he at best a 3rd/4th round type?

I'd say that he is worth a 2nd rounder at best. He really hasn't lived up to his pick position and I have no idea how he got selected into the pro bowl. That being said he might fit some other team's system better. So if we can get anything more than just a second, that would be gravy. The downside is that any safety we pick will likely have to learn the system so he wouldn't produce much the first year.

But I'm getting tired of seeing BM taking bad angles and costing this secondary touchdowns and cheap receptions on 3rd and long. Considering what we got back for Tebucky Jones, I wouldn't be surprised if we found a taker. There will be some team that sees the athleticism in BM who will take a chance and hopefully give up a decent pick for him.

PS No, I don't hate Meriweather but he is a flawed safety. And if we can get value for him then I think we should get it. Because there's no way he's a top 10 safety in the Pats system and I don't see them paying him big bucks either.