2011 Offseason Outlook - Defensive Backs

[jmt57]

With the Pats season over and free agency (hopefully) and the draft still a ways away, I figured this would be a good time to look back - and look forward - with some discussion at each position on the team.

Cornerback
Devin McCourty
Leigh Bodden (injured reserve)
Kyle Arrington (RFA)
Jonathan Wilhite (injured reserve)
Darius Butler
Tony Carter
Thad Turner (practice squad)

Safety
Brandon Meriweather
Patrick Chung
James Sanders
Brandon McGowan (injured reserve; UFA)
Jarrod Page (UFA)
Sergio Brown
Josh Barrett (injured reserve)
Bret Lockett (injured reserve; ERFA)

 

[jmt57]

It Is What It Is -- Patriots by Position: Defensive backs | Christopher Price

2010, in three sentences: Surprising. Without Leigh Bodden, McCourty emerged as a No. 1 corner, while Chung was as a solid presence in his second season and Sanders provided a steadiness and consistency at safety. However, questions still remain about the middle to back end of the depth chart, including Arrington, Butler and Wilhite, while Meriweather is a lightning rod for criticism.

By the numbers (courtesy of Nuggetpalooza): 146. Butler has been penalized more yards than any other New England defensive back in each of the last two seasons (84 this year and 62 in 2009). His 146 penalty yards the last two years is fifth most in the NFL among defensive backs.

The skinny: Assuming Bodden is back at full strength in 2011, a combination of Bodden and McCourty would give New England an elite pair of corners, and presumably bump Arrington down the depth chart to nickel corner, which is probably where he should be anyway. Butler and Wilhite would also fill in around the starters, but expect the Patriots to try and build depth at the corner spot through the draft and free agency. Meanwhile, free safety figures to be solid with Chung and Sanders, but the strong safety spot could see some turnover, as Page could push Meriweather for a starting spot in 2011.

 

[mgteich]

I'm fine with this analysis.

I would note that this presumes that Page will be re-signed. Obviously, this signing is important if Page is considered good enough to fight for a starting role in 2011.

Chris ignores the need to develop a safety for 2012. Perhaps, as with Page, he simply repsumes the extension of Sanders, or his re-signing in 2012.

BTW, for all the dissing of Butler and Wilhite, they are our #4 and #5 corners (and backup nickel). We can always use an upgrade, but they are probably as good as any at those positions.

 

[jeffbiologist]

I think having so many draft picks and success without Bodden last year gives us options. If a CB falls to us in the first 33 I can see BB grabbing him and cutting Bodden's salary. Sure we can say they have bigger holes to fill but BB likes to fool us. Also if there are any truths to the trade rumors for Meriweather or Butler those options should be explored. If this is a weak draft trading may be more effective. As far as the safeties we have both Page and Barrett waiting for their chances. BB likes Barrett and I think he will be the equivalent of a draft pick this year. The biggest improvement in the DBs could be a pass rush---we can dream cant we?

 

[Potstickas]

in this pass happy league, you can always upgrade the secondary. they normally takes 2-3 years to develop and mature. with that said, high ceiling player who dropped to us only, i wouldn't bother with someone who is middle of the road.

 

[RHbT76]

I really think we should make a run at Mr. Bailey and sign for a few years. He'd make our secondary better immediately and add some depth in case we lose some one to injury again like we did with Bodden this year.

 

[part-timer]

Stand pat.

 

[jmt57]

Devin McCourty, Leigh Bodden Could Give Patriots NFL's Best Cornerback Duo in 2011 - New England Patriots - NESN.com - Jeff Howe

There are also plenty of possibilities going forward. Arrington, an exclusive-rights free agent, will be back as long as the Patriots choose to retain him, but Jonathan Wilhite's future could be unclear, as his salary will increase from $470,000 in 2010 to $1.2 million in 2011.


Hot Topic: McCourty had a stellar rookie season from the very beginning. He was steady in coverage for his first five games, but once he intercepted his first pass against the Chargers in Week 7, it was apparent that he was able to play with more confidence and he was adjusting to the game speed. Aside from taking up residence in the hip pockets of wide receivers, McCourty forced a turnover in eight of his last 11 regular-season games, and his combination of speed, smarts, instincts and physicality will make the Pro Bowler a special player for a long time.


Offseason Question: Will Leigh Bodden give the Patriots one of the league's top tandems at cornerback?

Bodden was really steady in his first season with the Patriots, as he was always their most reliable corner. However, he injured his knee in training camp and his shoulder in a preseason game, and his second season with the Pats was a wash.

The eight-year veteran, who had five interceptions and 18 pass defenses in 2009, will assume his starting job at right cornerback next season, and if he plays up to par, Bodden and McCourty could be a tough pair for quarterbacks to attack.

 

[jmt57]

Brandon Meriweather's 2010 Decline May Lead to One-Way Ticket Out of Foxboro for Pro-Bowl Safety - New England Patriots - NESN.com - Jeff Howe

Despite missing two games with a knee injury, Chung was second on the team with 89 tackles, three interceptions and nine passes defensed.

Hot Topic
That (fake punt) shouldn't overshadow Chung's strong second season, though. He was used in a variety of defensive roles, playing close to the line and in the third zone, as well as a nickelback in the slot. While Chung might still need some growth to emerge as a true traditional safety, he displayed too much talent for Bill Belichick to keep off the field. Chung has a bright future, and if his development stays on the same path, he’ll be set for a tremendous run in 2011.


Offseason Question
Will the Patriots make a major change at safety?

They had three quality starters last season in Chung, Meriweather and Sanders, and Brown and Page were good reserves. The Patriots would be in a nice position if they retained the top-three guys, but they’re also really intrigued by Barrett and Lockett, who each have strong potential on special teams. After all, they claimed Barrett even though they knew surgery would end his season, and they gave Lockett a contract extension before the end of the 2010 season, which was washed out due to a torn pectoral muscle.

This could lead the Patriots to make some kind of change with the desire of getting younger, and that could potentially spell the end of the line for Sanders or Meriweather. The always-reliable Sanders' salary increases to $2.8 million in 2011 (from $2.3 million in 2010), and that's a pretty hefty price tag for a team that needs to retain the left side of its offensive line and also has two first-round draft picks.

Meriweather, who is entering the last season of his rookie deal, lost a lot of playing time last season and could be trade bait (maybe a third-rounder?). At the end of the day, Meriweather’s talent and potential would almost certainly outweigh a third-round pick, but if Belichick was truly unhappy with Meriweather’s practice habits last season, it wouldn’t be shocking to see the Patriots part ways with the 2007 first-round pick.

 

[JackBauer]

Meriweather lost a lot of playing time, which amounted to being on the field four of every five defensive snaps.

Okay.

 

[patfanken]

Very interesting articles -

Boddin not only brings to the Pats a very solid, steady CB, he also brings some badly needed size to the position. Butler's problems as I see it, come when he has to cover much bigger, more physical WRs. I think he'd be a perfect guy to cover the quick smaller slot guys that are now coming into vogue because of the Pats success with smaller WRs, I still think Butler has a chance to become a solid contributor if the Pats will keep him matched up on smaller receivers, OR, he elevates his game so he can take on the bigger guys that are so prevalent in the league these days (except of course on the Pats )

The 3rd CB is key for the D these days. He will usually get more snaps than the "starting" ILB, just because the game has changed.

The S position is over loaded right now, but that's not a bad thing. While I acknowledge Merriweather's geometric problems, I don't think the Pats will be trading him this season. He is the kind of guy that allows them to be very flexible in the DBfield. He and Chung's ability to occasionally cover guys like CBs allows BB to be much more creative with his coverages. There WILL be some changes at the position, but I don't think it will be Merriweather....or Sanders. But it will be interesting to see how it all plays out, especially when you have McGowan et al coming off IR. We have literally a ton of S's on the roster, and that BEFORE the draft and FA

 

[JackBauer]

Indeed. Not resigning Meriweather once his contract expires is one thing, if that's the direction the team wants to move. But another self-inflicted wound this offseason is another matter entirely.

 

[bucky]

My personal feelings on the subject:

Merriweather misses too many tackles and this year he spent more time head hunting than ball hawking. With 1 year left on his contract, I'd get whatever I can for BM and move on. I'd prefer a ball hawk - like Rahim Moore from UCLA - to complement Chung and Sanders (who is still just average at best). Paige and McGowan are pretty much the same player. Resign one of them as the 4th safety and ST player.

At CB, I wouldn't mind a nickel being brought in to challenge (and hopefully replace) Wilhite. Other than that, I like our corners.

 

[JackBauer]

Wilhite is fine as the nickel. Not exactly an area of high priority.

 

[Marqui]

With 1 year left on his contract, I'd get whatever I can for BM and move on.

What's the market these days for a one-year rental safety that no one wants?

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Am I overestimating the return of Bodden or will this be as huge as I think, if he returns to 2009 form? Even though Arrington played admirably, having Bodden's cover skills as well as the physical presense across from Mccourty should make life tough on opposing WR's. I think Butler has a chance to flourish as a nickel too with continued improvement.

I think we're set at DB for this year. Maybe a lower developmental pick in anticipation of losing Merri to FA. Nothing higher than a 4th or 5th rounder spent here IMO

 

[bucky]

Wilhite is fine as the nickel. Not exactly an area of high priority.

If he's "fine" at nickel, then TBC is "fine" at OLB, and Connoly is "very good" at Guard.

 

[JackBauer]

If he's "fine" at nickel, then TBC is "fine" at OLB, and Connoly is "very good" at Guard.

Not really.

Wilhite was playing well at the nickel this season before his injury. People are still hung up on him sucking as a starter, but as I said he's adequate as a 3-4-5 CB.

 

[mgteich]

I have no problem with Arrington, Butler and Wilhite battling it out for reps as our backup defensive backs. The secondary would figure to be a major upgrade in 2011 with Bodden back and Wilhite healthy/

 

[VJCPatriot]

I'd like the Pats to look at a true FS in the draft as a successor to Meriweather and probably a nickelback in the middle rounds somewhere.

One idea I haven't heard talked about much is signing Champ Bailey from free agency to be a Free Safety for us.
Our coverage ability would improve by leaps and bounds.
I think Bailey has the ability to make the Lott/Woodson transition and he has the experience, talent, and quicks to be an impact player for us right away.