Who Will Get The Reps At Safety?

[mgteich]

Wilson should be in almost every play. After that there are many options. We certainly could avoid using 3 safeties. In any case, Ebner and Moore seem the obvious options to me.

For me, McCourty, Dennard and Arrington are our corners, with Cole as our dime back, although Moore could have that duty if he isn't playing safety.

I am not convinced that Ebner will start or even get major reps. I would start Moore.

IMHO, McCourty and Dennard are our best corners. It is not a time to move McCourty to safety (but then, there never was such a right time). Dowling going to IR should end discussions of moving McCourty. Besides, McCourty is playing reasonably well, certainly well enough for opponents to avoid him much of the time to concentrate on Arrington (and his 158 rating for opposing quarterbacks).

 

[jmt57]

For this game you figure Dennard is one corner and Arrington your slot/nickel corner.

Wilson is one of your starters at safety.

Ebner is your dime back.

That leaves a decision of either McCourty at safety and Moore at corner, or McCourty at corner and Moore at safety.



Pick your poison.



One thing to think about: if the Pats were indeed ready to move McCourty to safety, does Dowling going on IR actually change that thought process? Dowling wasn't getting much playing time anyways. McCourty's move to safety was all about the absence of Chung and Gregory (and to a lesser extent the confidence in Dennard); Dowling going on IR shouldn't change that way of thinking.

I think the Pats will go with Dennard and Moore/Arrington at cornerback, with McCourty and Wilson at safety. That may change depending on how those players are performing, but that's my guess.

 

[Deus Irae]

McCourty and Wilson at safety

Dennard and Arrington at CB
Moore to be the CB3/nickel
Cole to be the dime
Ebner to be the last man standing

 

[jmt57]

McCourty and Wilson at safety

Dennard and Arrington at CB
Moore to be the CB3/nickel
Cole to be the dime
Ebner to be the last man standing

I knew there was somebody I was forgetting (Cole); thanks for the reminder.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Luckily they still have games against lesser offenses to experiment a bit. Unless the offense comes out as flat as it was against the Jets, we could probably survive at least a few more games with the defense being the mess that it is.

I wouldn't mind giving Ebner a few more looks at S. Chung obviously isn't the answer and even if he was, he can never stay on the field anyways. And also Arrington should still get some time at Cb to see if he can return to 2010/2011 form. It's a long season you never know. Even though DMC has shown potential at S, I'd still rather have him and hopefully Dennard at CB 1/2 than Dennard and Moore/Arrington. Agree with Wilson as a more permanent fixture at one of the S spots. Alot of what I read on Gregory this offseason is that he's better suited as a part time safety so if Chung can at least improve in spot play when he comes back, we might be able to work a committee approach at the other safety slot.

We need this defense to look alot better by around the time that Houston game rolls around.

 

[VrabelJr]

I'm praying to god that:

McCourty at RCB
Dennard at LCB
Wilson at Safety
Moore at Safety
Arrington at Gatorade

 

[Avenger]

We still haven't seen much of Ebner, he was in on the last Seattle TD but was that really on him? Looked more like it was on Wilson from the TV, not to say Wilson is bad, just a rookie mistake. I'll take a rookie mistake over a a vet that still makes mistakes.

 

[VrabelJr]

Where the **** is ross ventrone?

 

[The Brandon Five]

Can we use a four safety look? You know, so that they are all turned around looking for the ball?

 

[Avenger]

Where the **** is ross ventrone?

He can be resigned after week 8 due to injury settlement rules I believe

 

[Joker]

The way all these safeties have failed since being drafted,I think I am going to have to insist...the next one we draft better be named Trojan....

 

[ATippett56]

Where the **** is ross ventrone?

Matt Tennant took his place until he found a new landlord, the Philadelphia Eagles.

 

[ATippett56]

The way all these safeties have failed since being drafted,I think I am going to have to insist...the next one we draft better be named Trojan....

My name is Antonio Cromartie and I do NOT approve this message.

 

[captain stone]

Where the **** is ross ventrone?

Or Josh Barrett? At least the 5th of the 2011 Stooges at Safety, Mal Williams, is on the PS ready to go.

Here's a list of outside candidates, incl. exPatriots Nathan Jones & Antuan Molden, both of whom could
maybe provide some CB/FS versatility.

Best Available NFL Free Agents - Defense | The Sideline View

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

This team is maybe one or two more secondary injuries away from implementing a 4-7 defense ......really,why have anyone back there?,just rush everyone and pray you get to the QB or hope you can knock the ball down.

I expect the return of Edelman and Slater to do double duty on defense sooner than later.

 

[randomk1]

This team is maybe one or two more secondary injuries away from implementing a 4-7 defense ......really,why have anyone back there?,just rush everyone and pray you get to the QB or hope you can knock the ball down.

I expect the return of Edelman and Slater to do double duty on defense sooner than later.

Makes me laugh and cry at the same time.

What would happen if McCourty goes down for an extended time? The guy is already on the field for 99% of the snaps and now is getting time at KR.

We just can't catch a break in the secondary. Nvm that they can't play at a NFL level, we can't even have them staying healthy.

It will be interesting to see how BB will try to remedy the situation.

 

[VJCPatriot]

For this game you figure Dennard is one corner and Arrington your slot/nickel corner.

Wilson is one of your starters at safety.

Ebner is your dime back.

That leaves a decision of either McCourty at safety and Moore at corner, or McCourty at corner and Moore at safety.



Pick your poison.



One thing to think about: if the Pats were indeed ready to move McCourty to safety, does Dowling going on IR actually change that thought process? Dowling wasn't getting much playing time anyways. McCourty's move to safety was all about the absence of Chung and Gregory (and to a lesser extent the confidence in Dennard); Dowling going on IR shouldn't change that way of thinking.

I think the Pats will go with Dennard and Moore/Arrington at cornerback, with McCourty and Wilson at safety. That may change depending on how those players are performing, but that's my guess.

Dowling was never a serious contender for playing time even before he got hurt. I predict the defensive lineup will be

CB Dennard
CB Arrington
S McCourty
S Wilson

Scary as that sounds, that's probably our most talented lineup right now. Moore will be the nickel. Expect Chung, Gregory, and Ebner to get some plays too. But hopefully fewer snaps for Chung and Gregory as they have been exposed at the safety position. See the following article for a good breakdown on how NFL teams have been exploiting our safeties:

Breaking Down the New England Patriots Safety Play, Big Plays a Team Effort | Bleacher Report

 

[DarrylS]

The talent can be debated, but the NFL experience cannot.. with any of these combinations we field.. there is just about 6 years of total experience.

 

[mayoclinic]

Vince Wilfork.

 

[nekromantique]

Vince Wilfork.

no one would dare go over the middle for fear of being squashed.