Meriweather to be cut or traded speculation (merged many times)

[DefenseRules]

New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

Longtime starter Brandon Meriweather didn't take all the first-team reps. He was replaced by second-year player Sergio Brown at times.

The shuffle came on the same day the Patriots were scheduled to work out veteran free agents Darren Sharper and Renaldo Hill, and one week after the team made a contract offer to safety Dashon Goldson, who eventually re-signed with the 49ers.

It might mean nothing in the long run. I just thought that the team needed more depth at safety. But maybe the coaching staff is concerned about the performance/production at the safety position. It might be something to keep an eye on for the rest of camp.

 

[sbpatfan]

Re: Reiss reports that Patriots are moving players around at safety during practice

Why only pick out Meriweather? Reiss mentions that Brown replaced Chung to play with Brandon also. That wasn't directed at you, but I know that's what everyone will do.

 

[Joker]

Re: Reiss reports that Patriots are moving players around at safety during practice

I just posted a link up top to the BB interview on air this afternoon.BB and Bruschi cover this topic as well as a whole bunch of other questions raised by fans....BB explains WHY he does things like this.....it's about 20 minutes long but it's worth listening to

 

[patriot lifer]

Re: Reiss reports that Patriots are moving players around at safety during practice

New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston



It might mean nothing in the long run. I just thought that the team needed more depth at safety. But maybe the coaching staff is concerned about the performance/production at the safety position. It might be something to keep an eye on for the rest of camp.

They might be planning on taking a closer look at Brown over the next couple weeks to determine if he can be their #4 safety or not. He's undrafted and only in his second year. It might be worth placing some extra stress on him and see how he responds. The fact that Sanders is sitting out for so many practices is a little concerning, but he's at least on the field (per Bedard), just not in pads.

They also might want to want to send Meriweather a message. Who knows?

 

[Gwedd]

Re: Reiss reports that Patriots are moving players around at safety during practice

I just posted a link up top to the BB interview on air this afternoon.BB and Bruschi cover this topic as well as a whole bunch of other questions raised by fans....BB explains WHY he does things like this.....it's about 20 minutes long but it's worth listening to

You betcha! I'm listening to it as I type this. :rocker:

 

[DefenseRules]

Re: Reiss reports that Patriots are moving players around at safety during practice

They might be planning on taking a closer look at Brown over the next couple weeks to determine if he can be their #4 safety or not. He's undrafted and only in his second year. It might be worth placing some extra stress on him and see how he responds. The fact that Sanders is sitting out for so many practices is a little concerning, but he's at least on the field (per Bedard), just not in pads.

They also might want to want to send Meriweather a message. Who knows?

They are thin at safety. Thats what concerns me. Merriweather does seem to have a bullseye on him lately when it comes to the media. I don't think his game is that bad. He's alright.

 

[Sciz]

Re: Reiss reports that Patriots are moving players around at safety during practice

Rich Smith (@ALLsportsINTEL) on Twitter
Says pats are expected to make an offer to Sharper. Bye Meriweather?

 

[DefenseRules]

Re: Reiss reports that Patriots are moving players around at safety during practice

I just posted a link up top to the BB interview on air this afternoon.BB and Bruschi cover this topic as well as a whole bunch of other questions raised by fans....BB explains WHY he does things like this.....it's about 20 minutes long but it's worth listening to

I was fortunate enough to listen to it earlier. Great stuff.

 

[DefenseRules]

Re: Reiss reports that Patriots are moving players around at safety during practice

Rich Smith (@ALLsportsINTEL) on Twitter
Says pats are expected to make an offer to Sharper. Bye Meriweather?

Wow, no love for Meriweather. I don't think he's going anywhere, IMO. We need depth at safety.

 

[patriot lifer]

Re: Reiss reports that Patriots are moving players around at safety during practice

They are thin at safety. Thats what concerns me. Merriweather does seem to have a bullseye on my him lately when it comes to the media. I don't think his game is that bad. He's alright.

We do seem to be a bit thin, but if Sanders comes back healthy for week 1, and if we have Chung and BM healthy, then that's a good 3 safeties. At that point we're looking for a #4 guy, who is also a big ST contributor. Brown was that last year, except he was the #5 (albeit with Page hurt for a good portion of the season).

With 90 players in camp, we should have more safeties. Even if it was 80 players, we should have more than 4.

 

[jah]

Re: Reiss reports that Patriots are moving players around at safety during practice

Rich Smith (@ALLsportsINTEL) on Twitter
Says pats are expected to make an offer to Sharper. Bye Meriweather?

Great idea. Let's cut a 27 year old solid starter (not a Pro Bowler, but still a good safety even if he is overrated) in favor of a 35 (almost 36) year old coming off a major injury who may or may not still be good.

 

[Haley]

Re: Reiss reports that Patriots are moving players around at safety during practice

Is it safe to completely write off Josh Barrett at this point? It seems he only practiced once so far. I really don't know what to make of him.

 

[Sciz]

Re: Reiss reports that Patriots are moving players around at safety during practice

Great idea. Let's cut a 27 year old solid starter (not a Pro Bowler, but still a good safety even if he is overrated) in favor of a 35 (almost 36) year old coming off a major injury who may or may not still be good.

You don't sign a 36 year old to be a backup. You want those backups to have special teams value. If the team wants Sharper, it's as a starter. And if Meriweather were any good, there wouldn't have been reports that Belichick was "desperate" for a free safety.

And they can easily get a 4th or something for Meriweather (and make sure he doesn't go to the Jets).

 

[Nunchucks]

Re: Reiss reports that Patriots are moving players around at safety during practice

I am not one to get down on Merriweather, but he has been described as slow in TC. Add that to his freelancing, poor angles and tendency to forget to wrap up ball carriers and I wouldn't be shocked to see him cut.

 

[DefenseRules]

Re: Reiss reports that Patriots are moving players around at safety during practice

Great idea. Let's cut a 27 year old solid starter (not a Pro Bowler, but still a good safety even if he is overrated) in favor of a 35 (almost 36) year old coming off a major injury who may or may not still be good.

EXACTLY!! Merriweather is not great, but he's not so bad that he needs to be replaced, IMO. I'd rather replace Wilhite. But that's me.

 

[BelichickFan]

Re: Reiss reports that Patriots are moving players around at safety during practice

Why only pick out Meriweather? Reiss mentions that Brown replaced Chung to play with Brandon also. That wasn't directed at you, but I know that's what everyone will do.

Where did Reiss say that ? Not on the blog entry that was linked to.

 

[jah]

Re: Reiss reports that Patriots are moving players around at safety during practice

EXACTLY!! Merriweather is not great, but he's not so bad that he needs to be replaced, IMO. I'd rather replace Wilhite. But that's me.

I'm in a minority here when I say just carry 4 corners on the roster. Butler and Wilhite just aren't good enough compared to other bottom-of-the-roster candidates.

 

[patriot lifer]

Re: Reiss reports that Patriots are moving players around at safety during practice

I thought the fact that BM was in a contract year would be all the motivation he needs. Perhaps someone should remind him.

 

[jsull87]

Re: Reiss reports that Patriots are moving players around at safety during practice

Wow, no love for Meriweather. I don't think he's going anywhere, IMO. We need depth at safety.

It's interesting how some peoples logic works... the only saftey we have seen sit out practice has been James Sanders. We work out safteys and people automatically go; this = Merriweather gone.

Maybe it means Sanders is gone. (injured i mean) Maybe BB is just doing what he does every year, bringing in Vets to Compete.

 

[JackBauer]

Re: Reiss reports that Patriots are moving players around at safety during practice

And if Meriweather were any good, there wouldn't have been reports that Belichick was "desperate" for a free safety.

This logic doesn't necessarily follow.