There are many variable to this equation, Triumph.
One is the improved safety play from McCourty, another is getting Chung out of there. There's also the fact that Gregory became more familiar with the system as the year moved on.
Then there is the move of Arrington back to the slot, where he is much better.
Then there's the move where Dennard became a starter, which obviously helped.
So, my question to you is this: was it the scheme, or was it all Talib's amazing talents and stats? (2 passes defended as of last week's game)
Personally, I think that the moves mentioned above made a lot more difference than Aqib Talib, who didn't even play nearly as much as anyone wants to admit.
Will the secondary be as good without Talib in there? Probably not, but we'll still have all of the above mentioned moves to bank on, and they very well may get another viable, physical CB to play in the late season man coverage scheme.
Is he worth what he thinks he is? No way. We're talking about a player who by all accounts was going to be outright cut this season by G.Schiano in Tampa Bay. For all we know, Belichick may have even known that and decided that it was worth it just due to the fact that he'd never make it to our waiver priority.
Either way, Talib's worth was nowhere near what people are claiming, and his injuries and late season absence haven't done much to prove any different to me.
Maybe Belichick feels differently and offers him enough to stay, but I am having my doubts. One thing we can take from this is that the secondary shouldn't be anywhere near as bad as they were with McCourty/Arrington as the outside CB's with Moore in the slot, and Chung/Wilson as the safeties.
