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

[DefenseRules]

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

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.

I watched the preseason game again. You could see the lack of depth in the defensive backfield. Dowling and Sanders are injured. The secondary could use a little help. It makes no sense to cut Merriweather at this point.

 

[Sciz]

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

We work out safteys and people automatically go; this = Merriweather gone.

It's not just that.

The Globe reported recently that Belichick is "desperate" for a free safety.

Sharper said in June that he's not ready to be a role player yet, and that's the only reason he was considering leaving NO.

The backup safeties are always on special teams. At 36, Shaper wouldn't be used there.

Meriweather is in the last year of his contract, making him a prime trade candidate.

 

[BaltimorePatsFan]

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

Darren Sharper made the All-Pro Team despite only playing in 8 games (1 start) with 0 interceptions, so he must be a demigod or something.

 

[goheels22002]

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

Maybe they are looking at different combinations for the Tampa Bay game in three days. The starters will be on the field and getting different situational looks. I think this is much ado about nothing.

 

[JackBauer]

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

I would be shocked if BB rolls into the 2011 season with Chung and Sharper at S.

Doesn't seem like the best coverage duo the NFL has ever seen, that's for sure.

 

[jmt57]

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

It's not just that.

The Globe reported recently that Belichick is "desperate" for a free safety.

Sharper said in June that he's not ready to be a role player yet, and that's the only reason he was considering leaving NO.

The backup safeties are always on special teams. At 36, Shaper wouldn't be used there.

Meriweather is in the last year of his contract, making him a prime trade candidate.

Assuming that the Pats are indeed desperate for a safety, my first thought would be that it probably has more to do with Sanders and Dowling being injured coupled with the loss in free agency of Jarrad Page, and the release of Brandon McGowan.

While I do understand your point about older players being brought in to start rather than backup, and how they typically don't contribute to special teams, I'm just not buying into the assumption that it automatically means that one specific player - in this case Meriweather - on a position that is already thin in terms of depth is going to be traded.

Also, in regards to an earlier post about trading Meriweather for a 4th round draft pick, if that's all the Pats can get for him then I'd say it makes a lot more sense to keep him on the roster and see what you get as a compensatory pick a year later.

For what the Pats are paying Meriweather he's a bargain this year. Unless some team blows the doors off with an incredible offer I don't see the benefit of trading him, nor do I see how Sharper being brought in absolutely means that Meriweather is being traded.

 

[Ring 6]

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?

Considering James Sanders hasn't practiced all season and Sergio Brown does not seem ready, why would we sign a safety and at the same time cut one of our only 2 capable ones?

 

[Ring 6]

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

It's not just that.

The Globe reported recently that Belichick is "desperate" for a free safety.

Come on. First we don't have strong and free safeties, we have left and right safeties. Secondly, lets assume BB was desperate for a 'free safety'. Exactly how would the Globe now that? Do you think BB sat down with a reporter and said, "You know, I am desperate for a free safety. Oh crap, please don't right that becuase I forgot it would hurt my negotiation power"?????????????

Sharper said in June that he's not ready to be a role player yet, and that's the only reason he was considering leaving NO.

8/15 he needs to be ready to be a role player because no one is knocking at the door asking him to be more.

The backup safeties are always on special teams. At 36, Shaper wouldn't be used there.

Not necessarily.

Meriweather is in the last year of his contract, making him a prime trade candidate.

We seem to be in a mode of acquiring veterans for draft picks to strengthen the team now, now trading away starters for draft picks to help in the future.

 

[Sciz]

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

Considering James Sanders hasn't practiced all season and Sergio Brown does not seem ready, why would we sign a safety and at the same time cut one of our only 2 capable ones?

Just throwing out the option, hence the question mark at the end.

 

[Armchair Quarterback]

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

Meriweather's game has become the opposite of what I imagine Belichick wants out of a Safety. I could see a move made.

 

[crowell33]

Comcast Sports Tonight 6:30 Pm, Ian Rapoport said that he felt that the Patriots were at the "end of the line" with Meriweather and believes that he could be traded or even cut.

Karen Guregian weighs in :BostonHerald.com - Blogs: Rap Sheet

 

[Joker]

Re: Rapoport: Meriweather could be cut

yeah..uh..what does that even mean?...there's about a 100 people here a day who have that same feeling...is he a reporter or a speculator?

 

[NEPatriot]

Re: Rapoport: Meriweather could be cut

I sure hope not. Who would play next to Chung with Sanders hurt? Sergio Brown?

 

[serifyn]

Re: Rapoport: Meriweather could be cut

Ian Rapoport has really gotten on my nerves lately.

 

[WhiZa]

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

Meriweather's game has become the opposite of what I imagine Belichick wants out of a Safety. I could see a move made.

That's not 100% true or else he would of been gone by now. I think it's more to the thought that BB wanted Meriweather to progress a lot further than he has at this point in his career. He's not the Rodney Harrison replacement we hoped for out of the 1st round pick dubbed the "Hit Stick". More like Eugene Wilson.

 

[Rob0729]

Re: Rapoport: Meriweather could be cut

I always thought it was a possibility, but they need a plan B. I always thought Dowling would move over, but it hasn't happened. Although he has been injured.

 

[BigMike]

Re: Rapoport: Meriweather could be cut

Curran on CSNE tonight: "hes not in top shape, he keeps making "kooky" decisions," etc. He said Casserio "damned him with faint praise" today as well.

A safety who freestlyes and isnt in shape really hurts a defense. I think there is a little more truth to this one. Also reports of Mayo yelling at Merriweather last week in practics about being in the wrong position. Curran added Meriweather still takes bad angles and makes poor tackles....

WHo the heck would replace him though? Sergio Brown? Oh my/...

 

[patsinthesnow]

Re: Rapoport: Meriweather could be cut

Meriweather/Brown drawing parallels to Maroney/BJGE? Just a thought.

 

[PushnPencils]

Re: Rapoport: Meriweather could be cut

But.....But.....he's a pro bowler damnit! Yeah I know he's a free safety who can't tackle....or cover too well...or hasn't progressed in his development as a football player....

He's a Pro-Bowler!!!

 

[crowell33]

Re: Rapoport: Meriweather could be cut

Personally I'd hate to cut the guy. I can't believe that he has zero value. Couldn't we at least get back one of the 5th round picks that we traded this offseason ? He has a small cap number as well.