A bad year for DBs in both free agency and the draft?

[supafly]

Oh, and earlier today I was watching the Pats/Fins game from week 1 on NFLN; Dowling looked very good at times. Again if he just stays healthy. Also; maybe if McCourty stays at CB Dowling could possibly play FS??

That may be what our coach has in mind. It would certainly make sense on many levels, at least until one of our likely draft picks (or THE draft pick) gets coached up and starts to earn reps and trust.

It may be Dowling, as you suggested, although I have a tendancy to believe that starting/playing Dowling at safety would be a bit of a risk; especially due to his being injured this yr and losing out on many gained lessons and valuable live game reps.

It could also be a return to McCourty, but just in sub packages again; with the rookie or another FA taking over FS in the base defense. Or, maybe McCourty moves there full-time, who knows?

Sterling Moore could also certainly be a candidate for FS. They all have shown the ability to be able to play with positions of versatility, with the exception of Dowling--who everyone assumed may take over; but Dowling does have the size to give it a try.

For all we know, Belichick may be very excited with his prospects at FS this yr. It's all a guessing game from a fan's standpoint.

 

[Deus Irae]

Oh, and earlier today I was watching the Pats/Fins game from week 1 on NFLN; Dowling looked very good at times. Again if he just stays healthy. Also; maybe if McCourty stays at CB Dowling could possibly play FS??

The Patriots likely feel that they have 4 of their 5 "starters" in the backfield already:

RCB - Dowling
LCB - McCourty
CB3 - Arrington
S1 - Chung

They're going to be looking for CB4, CB5, S2 and S3.

 

[mgteich]

I suspect that the team is also fine with Moore and Molden as CB4 and CB5, although one is always looking for an upgrade.
======================
For me, the issue is finding a starting free safety. I would expect to see Ihedigbo (or another JAG) and Barrett at S3 and S4 (or S3 and S4).
======================
The one HUGE hole is starting free safety (S2 in your nomenclature). I don't see us filling that through the draft, although we could draft a safety to develop for the future.
=======================

The Patriots likely feel that they have 4 of their 5 "starters" in the backfield already:

RCB - Dowling
LCB - McCourty
CB3 - Arrington
S1 - Chung

They're going to be looking for CB4, CB5, S2 and S3.

 

[patsfan-1982]

CB #1 Arrington,
CB #2 Moore,
CB #3 Dowling,
SS Chung,
FS McCourty,

re-sign Carter and Anderson and Draft or sign a pass rushing DT and add dept through the Draft and FA, they wont be a top 5 defense but if they bring back the same core that was playing much better in the playoffs they should be ok

 

[supafly]

CB #1 Arrington,
CB #2 Moore,
CB #3 Dowling,
SS Chung,
FS McCourty,

re-sign Carter and Anderson and Draft or sign a pass rushing DT and add dept through the Draft and FA, they wont be a top 5 defense but if they bring back the same core that was playing much better in the playoffs they should be ok

I'm guessing on a DT myself too.

Then hopefully a DE too at some point in the first 100.

Or vice versa, of course.

 

[NEboiTB]

I think the main position that we need to address in the secondary is the starting FS. Ihedigbo looked just awful last season and if we move Ras-I or McCourty to safety it would mean starting Arrington. Although I like Arrington, I think his skills are much better suited for the CB3 and nickle CB spots. I think drafting either Mark Barron or Harrison Smith could potentially solve the problem, but the lack of Safety prospects this year could mean that this problem goes without resolve for a year.

 

[Fencer]

Why does nobody seriously consider moving Arrington to safety? What does he lack that he doesn't also lack as seriously at CB? Play-reading instincts?

If a guy can rush the passer, even as a gimmick, he's probably big/tough enough to be a safety.

According to Wikipedia, Arrington gives up 4 pounds and 1 inch to Ed Reed. I.e., he's in the same range as a player BB would surely make room for ... and also as McCourty and Wilson, who BB DID put at safety. They're all listed in the 5'10-11", 190-200 pound range.

 

[supafly]

Why does nobody seriously consider moving Arrington to safety? What does he lack that he doesn't also lack as seriously at CB? Play-reading instincts?

If a guy can rush the passer, even as a gimmick, he's probably big/tough enough to be a safety.

According to Wikipedia, Arrington gives up 4 pounds and 1 inch to Ed Reed. I.e., he's in the same range as a player BB would surely make room for ... and also as McCourty and Wilson, who BB DID put at safety. They're all listed in the 5'10-11", 190-200 pound range.

That's a good question, Fencer. I guess the only reasonable answer that I'd have would be that we've already seen Belichick use both Moore and McCourty at safety, and Arrington seemed to be an okay fit (at the correct CB position, which I agree is slot or 'star') where he was--even playing on the outside, although I think he's best used as a slot CB. Dowling has been projected by many to have the skillset to eventually move there over time, so that's now 3 of our CB's (Moore, McCourty, and Dowling) that have the potential to play some FS. I do find it interesting that Arrington is actually the only one that no one seems to bring up, including myself.

Anything's possible, of course. You just never know what BB is going to try and do. For all we know, they may have already tried it and it didn't work. Or, maybe they'll try it in the future camps and practices.

 

[Sciz]

Arrington seems to be at his best closer to the line of scrimmage, when he can jam guys. The longer the ball takes to come out and the further the WR gets, the less I trust Arrington. He seems to play the the most physically of any CB on the roster, but I don't think it's a kind of physicality that translates to the safety position too well.

 

[patsfan-1982]

I think the main position that we need to address in the secondary is the starting FS. Ihedigbo looked just awful last season and if we move Ras-I or McCourty to safety it would mean starting Arrington. Although I like Arrington, I think his skills are much better suited for the CB3 and nickle CB spots. I think drafting either Mark Barron or Harrison Smith could potentially solve the problem, but the lack of Safety prospects this year could mean that this problem goes without resolve for a year.

Arrington has been the starting CB for the pats the last two years starting 28 games IMO he's the best CB on the team right now

 

[Fencer]

Arrington seems to be at his best closer to the line of scrimmage, when he can jam guys. The longer the ball takes to come out and the further the WR gets, the less I trust Arrington. He seems to play the the most physically of any CB on the roster, but I don't think it's a kind of physicality that translates to the safety position too well.

In other words, Arrington is good at staying close to a guy, but not so much at getting close to him, or recovering if separation has been established?

Any theories on how that fits with him being a hotshot ST player? Patriots Awards: Special Teams Player - Extra Points - Boston.com Or is maybe not such a hotshot if Slater has clearly surpassed him?