McCourty at FS and Moore at CB

[patsinthesnow]

So suppose the Patriots could actually get Arrington, Chung, Dowling, McCourty and Moore all healthy and active for game 1 next year.

How does that backfield look to you? Who would you start where? And what kind of pieces would you want to add to complete the puzzle?

This is obviously on the optimistic side that Dowling comes back good and Moore continues his impressive play.

Starting CBs: Dowling and Moore
Nickel Back: Arrington
Free Safety: Mccourty
Strong Safety: Chung

That could be a very strong secondary, Dowling being the X Factor.

 

[everlong]

For what it's worth Bruschi doesn't like McCorty at safety. Not sure if last night changed his mind. Clearly he knows more football than any of us but I don't agree with him. I'd still rather he returns to 2010 form where he was a top corner but if not safety is a real option.

 

[convertedpatsfan]

FYI, Moore is a rookie so they control his rights for 4 years.

That's good to know. I thought that only applied to drafted rookies? So would Moore be a RFA for the last two seasons then?

 

[zipster9]

For what it's worth Bruschi doesn't like McCorty at safety. Not sure if last night changed his mind. Clearly he knows more football than any of us but I don't agree with him. I'd still rather he returns to 2010 form where he was a top corner but if not safety is a real option.

RasI was playing Safety (before he got hurt), as well..

 

[mgteich]

Sure, if Dowling comes back at 100% and McCourty improves, we will have a reasonable secondary with ZERO backups, except for special teamer Ihedigbo (a great pickup).

IMHO, we will bring in 2-4 defensive backs. After all, we have listed 6 defensive backs. We carry 8-10.

This is obviously on the optimistic side that Dowling comes back good and Moore continues his impressive play.

Starting CBs: Dowling and Moore
Nickel Back: Arrington
Free Safety: Mccourty
Strong Safety: Chung

That could be a very strong secondary, Dowling being the X Factor.

 

[patchick]

Sure, if Dowling comes back at 100% and McCourty improves, we will have a reasonable secondary with ZERO backups, except for special teamer Ihedigbo (a great pickup).

IMHO, we will bring in 2-4 defensive backs. After all, we have listed 6 defensive backs. We carry 8-10.

...which is why I asked "what kind of pieces would you want to add to complete the puzzle?"

The intriguing question to me isn't how many but who, given the positional flexibility of a number of the current db's. E.g. suppose they could snag a Dashon Goldson. What's your backfield, in base & nickel? Or suppose instead a top CB fell to them in the draft. Who do you start at safety opposite Chung?

 

[mgteich]

We have six defensive backs with considerable position flexibility. Dowling is an unknown, as all who return for IR (especially those who spent their rookie year on IR). I suppose, we must include Barrett as a #7.

How can we decide the best positions for our defensive backs? I think that we will bring in who we can and go from there.

I don't see Arrington or Chung having position flexibility.

I could see Belichick being fine with picking up no corner or even no safety. We need at least one for 2012, as injury protection for Dowling.

...which is why I asked "what kind of pieces would you want to add to complete the puzzle?"

The intriguing question to me isn't how many but who, given the positional flexibility of a number of the current db's. E.g. suppose they could snag a Dashon Goldson. What's your backfield, in base & nickel? Or suppose instead a top CB fell to them in the draft. Who do you start at safety opposite Chung?

 

[Reckedtrek]

Yes and no. McD is better in the passing game and Ihedigbo is more of a SS. Two different safeties really.



Agree. Moore just seems to be around the ball a lot.



It'll be interesting to see moving forward. Would not be suprised if they draft another DB or two as they always do.

I actually expect them to draft at least one and probably two DB's. The OLB/DE (depending on on the 3-4 or 4-3) group could benefit from some additional support, but I will never ever again assume or expect (or even hope) that they will draft players in these positions. It almost never happens, so if it does, it's a pleasant surprise.

I do hope they draft a beast at Center, though, as I think our O-line has few needs, and a new, young, powerful center would be one of them.

 

[patchick]

We need at least one for 2012, as injury protection for Dowling.

GIFSoup

IMO there's a tendency to overestimate Dowling's injury risk for next year, and UNDERestimate the injury risk of the rest of the defensive backfield. When was the last time the Patriots didn't place multiple DBs on IR?

It seems to me that the guy we really need "injury protection" for is Patrick Chung. Chung missed 8 games and had a series of injuries, and his power and skillset is what the current roster offers no replacement for.

 

[strngplyr]

Last year DMC was a pleasant surprise at corner, especially after Bodden went down, this season he's been disappointing when not facing the ball.

I like him in the deep backfield as FS, he seems to play the game at a much higher level (at least compared to himself at corner this year) when everything is in front of him and he can be aggressive and take initiative instead of reacting to the WR.

Moore has also pleasantly surprised at corner, he's seemed to keep tighter to the WR in his limited chances, but he's only played what, 2 or 3 games at corner? He started as a safety with us (and took out McCourty in his first game, lol). Both have great hands and ball skills, as does Arrington, so I want them all out there at the same time whenever possible. Now if Chung can learn to catch ...Chung would probably be leading the league in INTs over the past few seasons if his hands weren't stone, haha, it's also too bad Guyton sucks at everything BUT catching, he had great hands for a LB, made some very acrobatic INTs before falling out of favor.

 

[stinkypete]

I prefer to see McCourty at CB, but he has to solve his man coverage issues first. The way Demarious Thomas has been playing, the Patriots could not risk covering him with someone as inconsistent as McCourty has been. Moore at CB was the right call.

 

[mgteich]

1) I agree with regard to Chung.

2) Please list the all pro defensive players who spent their rookie years on IR. I don't think that there are many. However, we all have great hopes for Dowling.

IMO there's a tendency to overestimate Dowling's injury risk for next year, and UNDERestimate the injury risk of the rest of the defensive backfield. When was the last time the Patriots didn't place multiple DBs on IR?

It seems to me that the guy we really need "injury protection" for is Patrick Chung. Chung missed 8 games and had a series of injuries, and his power and skillset is what the current roster offers no replacement for.

 

[MSU]

Don't forget Dowling as a wild card. He's a big talent with positional flexibility, if he can get on the field.

Yeah, don't forget about I.R. Dowling guys. He should be capable of making a few big plays before he shatters his entire body next year.

 

[dex13]

It all depends on the type of coverage the Pats play, McCourty can't play man very well. If the Pats go back to zone, he'll be a top CB again. Unfortunately, he might make a better FS because of this though I would rather him improve his man coverage over the off-season and stay at CB.