Does Brandon Merriweather have what it takes to be a Patriot?

[JoeSixPat]

I've seen Merriweather appearing on an awful lot of mock drafts as a Patriots pick... but given his on and off field behavior problems, I'm really having a difficult time envisioning him on this team.

This has probably been discussed adnasueum in this forum but just wondering where everyone comes down on Merriweather's ability to turn things around and behave the way this team would demand.

No one seems to doubt his football talent - its just his behavior that makes me question why so many mock drafts have him going with the Patriots. Don't they follow this team and know how the owner and coach feel about problem players?

Safety is obivously a huge issue with us - right up there with ILB - but I'm more inclined to go with my wildass gut prediction that the Patriots will trade for the Redskin's #6 pick and grab LaRon Landry to give us a dominant Safety for years to come.

(Yes I know very few are predicting a trade up, but I think BB has a pretty good record drafting at #6 - and someone of Big Sey's caliber strikes me as being worth two late 1st round picks plus whatever other draft pick that trade up would demand.)

 

[zarakotas5]

I expect that many teams will regret not picking him when they had the chance. To me, it smells like a lot of self-righteous people have forgotten that things under a microscope appear much bigger than they really are.

Miami-Dade ain't in the business of just clearing young black men of gun charges, due to similarly sinister expectations. Throwing a few relatively innocuous licks (all things considered) during a violent melee in the midst of a game designed for violence is far from a reason for personal damnation. Hell, I don't even step on ants in real life, if I can help it. When I played football, a "rival" jammed his cleats into my toes. I punched him in the gut and knocked him out the game. If it had been seen, I never would have played again. It was the only dirty thing I have ever done and still feel guilty about 10 years later. For example.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Issues to consider:
- Is there a character problem? The Pats will have much better insight than I can muster.
- Is his size a concern given the pounding a Patriot Safety takes? I say yes.
- Is a first round Safety a better value than another position? I say no.
- If Meriweather passes the background investigation, is he a good fit/value at CB at the end of round one? Could be, BB will know.

I can't answer your question, NFL Network pundits with better access to league personnel are leaning toward Meriweather slipping into the second round because there are issues. It looks like this kid has the tools to be a very good NFL player, we'll see who has confidence in him Saturday.

 

[danny88]

Issues to consider:
- Is there a character problem? The Pats will have much better insight than I can muster.
- Is his size a concern given the pounding a Patriot Safety takes? I say yes.
- Is a first round Safety a better value than another position? I say no.
- If Meriweather passes the background investigation, is he a good fit/value at CB at the end of round one? Could be, BB will know.

I can't answer your question, NFL Network pundits with better access to league personnel are leaning toward Meriweather slipping into the second round because there are issues. It looks like this kid has the tools to be a very good NFL player, we'll see who has confidence in him Saturday.

The kid made a mistake in that brawl. The gun crap is stupid. If he was not found guilty of any crimes by the MIAMI POLICE, he should not have to deal with those comments. It is legal to carry a registered gun in this country. It is also legal top protect yourself with a registered gun in certain situations. The police agreed that is what Meriweather was doing, nuff said.There are a hell of a lot of players that have guns. They dont broadcast it, so you dont see it.

 

[zarakotas5]

It should also be noted (as I'm sure it has been) that guns in FLA is akin to Dunkin' Donuts is NE. Guns shops everywhere, concealed guns on more hips that you can shake a stick at, etc. Merriweather is a native Floridian. His papa his 5-0. etc, etc. Punching back ain't a crime. In FLA, shooting back ain't a crime.

As to the melee: MELEE. 1 of 100+. Some players on the other team are seen as sleeper picks in comparison, despite.

It ain't exactly ideal, but it also isn't quite what it seems. "Believe half of what you see and none of what you hear..."

 

[mcsully]

I'm in all for getting the kid from LSU, LaRon Landry . But the best we could hope is pick 7 or 8 if we give up our two picks.. rumor has it he might go #6 to the redskins..

Time will tell..

On to Brandon Meriweather, I agree his size scares me a little. Actually reminds me of Mr injury prone eugene wilson.. Both are 5-10 and under 200 pounds. I rather see our safties over 6 feet and 210 or so pounds.. Something Landry has.

 

[sebman2112]

Issues to consider:
- Is there a character problem? The Pats will have much better insight than I can muster.
- Is his size a concern given the pounding a Patriot Safety takes? I say yes.
- Is a first round Safety a better value than another position? I say no.
- If Meriweather passes the background investigation, is he a good fit/value at CB at the end of round one? Could be, BB will know.

I can't answer your question, NFL Network pundits with better access to league personnel are leaning toward Meriweather slipping into the second round because there are issues. It looks like this kid has the tools to be a very good NFL player, we'll see who has confidence in him Saturday.

Which pundits? Mayock the best guy on there say's Meriweather is the second best Safety in the draft, behind Landry.

 

[sebman2112]

I'm in all for getting the kid from LSU, LaRon Landry . But the best we could hope is pick 7 or 8 if we give up our two picks.. rumor has it he might go #6 to the redskins..

Time will tell..

On to Brandon Meriweather, I agree his size scares me a little. Actually reminds me of Mr injury prone eugene wilson.. Both are 5-10 and under 200 pounds. I rather see our safties over 6 feet and 210 or so pounds.. Something Landry has.

Why is it you guy's only think of the "injury prone" Safeties who are under 6'0?

If I comprise a list (have in the past) most of the FS's in the NFL are 6'0 or under, not 6'0 or above. There have been a lot of all-star FS's and SS who were under 6'0. Also, most college players gain weight after they enter the league.

 

[Patriot Missile]

I love the kid's instincts on the field. I happen to mock him in on my board@28. But I will agree there are some things that may turn some people off, His off field issues may be way blown out of proportion and I'm sure our sinister agents will get every detail of every event. His size is like some have said "Eugene Wilson like". However not every body is the same as we all know and some are just able to take more punishment than others. That's a fact whether you are a football,hockey,baseball player etc. I could see him adding on some more weight as he matures early on.

I don't think he is Ed Reed by any means,then again you never know. But again I do love his instincts,he seems to have a uncanny way of being around the ball just like T.Bruschi and a few others.

 

[PATRIOT64]

No we won't be picking Merriweather in the first round - BB only picks first round players who have six or seven letters in their last name

Has been that way since he came here - Strange but true although it means literally nothing I guess,but a stat is a stat,I know,its weird and so am I sometimes

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

The kid made a mistake in that brawl. The gun crap is stupid. If he was not found guilty of any crimes by the MIAMI POLICE, he should not have to deal with those comments. It is legal to carry a registered gun in this country. It is also legal top protect yourself with a registered gun in certain situations. The police agreed that is what Meriweather was doing, nuff said.There are a hell of a lot of players that have guns. They dont broadcast it, so you dont see it.

Legal and good judgement are two separate things. It's legal to eat two gallons of ice cream, doing so does not suggest good judgement. Missing a blocking assignment is a mistake, stomping on people in the middle of an on-field brawl is stupid. I don't have a report from a security firm on my desk telling me this kid is pure as the driven snow. I don't have a report telling me he's trouble on the hoof. What I have are draftnik scouting reports that say Meriweather is the only Day One Safety with two incidents that my favorite New England Patriots will need to investigate before assigning a draft grade. I'm not attacking or defending the kid, BB has the best information and will make the decision. I wouldn't draft him because I'd rather not use a first round pick on a Safety, but that's just me.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Which pundits? Mayock the best guy on there say's Meriweather is the second best Safety in the draft, behind Landry.

Yes, Mayock says he's the second best safety, Mike bases his ranking on his on-field play. He's also said the Thomas kid Florida kicked off the team would be a first round talent if he wasn't set on self-destructing. Mayock has reported Meriweather has questions to answer, he's not ignored the issue, he's just leaving it to the teams to find their own answers.

Solomon Wilcots mentioned some clubs indicated they would not use a first on Meriweather due to the concerns raised by the two incidents. I'm drawing a blank on the other guy's name (the former Tennessee Safety), but he's a big fan of Brandon's who talks him up everytime I've heard him discuss DBs. He also indicated Brandon was more likely to go in the second.

 

[mcsully]

Why is it you guy's only think of the "injury prone" Safeties who are under 6'0?

If I comprise a list (have in the past) most of the FS's in the NFL are 6'0 or under, not 6'0 or above. There have been a lot of all-star FS's and SS who were under 6'0. Also, most college players gain weight after they enter the league.

Actually this is the first time I have brought this up here. But its a fact, the top safeties in the game are over 6 feet and are 210+ pounds.. Many times when a player gains weight, they lose speed and the ability to be as fluid.

Hate to hit you with the facts but a majority of the top safties (young and old) are what I'm pointing to. They are:

Michael Huff. Height: 6-0 Weight: 203
Kerry Rhodes. Position: FS Height: 6-3 Weight: 210
Ed Reed FS Height: 5-11 Weight: 200
Troy Polamalu SS Height: 5-11 Weight: 212
John Lynch. Position: FS Height: 6-2 Weight: 220
Rodney Harrison. Position: SS Height: 6-1 Weight: 220
Adrian Wilson. Position: SS Height: 6-3 Weight: 230
Brian Dawkins. Position: FS Height: 6-1 Weight: 210
Sean Taylor. Position: FS Height: 6-2 Weight: 232
Roy Williams. Position: SS Height: 6-0 Weight: 229

(yes harrison has been injured in the past two years but he's had a solid career for many years. And I feel his size 6 feet 220 pounds has been a component for him being great and having a long career)

These guys are the premium players at their position. Fact is Wilson production has gone down every year since his rookie year. Its time to make a move and maybe even kill two birds with one stone. Remember, when Wilson was coming out, he had the most pass defense's in the draft as a corner. Time to move him back and see if we can salvage his career.. If he stays at safety, his career will be cut short.

 

[mcsully]

forgot to mention something about Ed Reed. Since 2004, his production has dropped. He isn't the player maker he was then. Injuries are starting to catch up to him..

 

[Seneschal2]

First of all, we don't need a round one Safety because of the depth of the position this draft.

Secondly, no Safety will be expected to start this season. Be it first, second, or third round, that player will still have to develop. The hope is, the rookie will learn the position as part of the sub-packages this year, then will be able and ready to start the '08 season. At that time, Rodney may or may not return (he's a year-to-year player); and Geno will have played another season (this season is a contract year), and more than likely will depart.

Size at the Safety position is a consideration -- but will not be the deciding factor. Keep in mind that a 6-2 220 Safety can still land on the PUP and IR with ankle, knee, groin, and hammy injuries, none of which size can prevent. Now if we're talking about an undersized Safety getting run over by 250 lb TEs and 215 lb WRs -- than that makes sense. This is where it pays to know how to tackle.

Meriweather -- a very worthy player whose on-field episode makes me cringe. Like others here, I'll leave his character evaluation in the hands of Belichick. My guess is, the Pats don't draft players early who are iffy (on any level), but they may do so later on. It's a wait-and-see...

Finally, we may draft more than one Safety. There's certainly room for a FS and SS, and the draft crop is strong in both.

 

[mcsully]

First of all, we don't need a round one Safety because of the depth of the position this draft.

Reason why I tend to disagree is the we have had injury issues with our starters the past two years. And the backups are not viable options for an extended period of time.

Secondly, no Safety will be expected to start this season. Be it first, second, or third round, that player will still have to develop.

Wilson started the second game in his rookie year. We went to the SB and won it. So I disagree 100%

BTW, woman usually say size matters.. but we knows thats a lie

 

[Seneschal2]

Reason why I tend to disagree is the we have had injury issues with our starters the past two years. And the backups are not viable options for an extended period of time.

Wilson started the second game in his rookie year. We went to the SB and won it. So I disagree 100%

Why would you disagree then when I said, "we don't need a round one Safety because of the depth of the position this draft." Geno was drafted in round two -- and as a CB. They tried him in TC as an experiment at Safety and he impressed.

We want to find the right players who fit best -- and they aren't necessarily to be found in round one. In general, we don't expect ANY rookie to start in the Pats defense his first season -- but we do (and will) make room for exceptions.

 

[mcsully]

Why would you disagree then when I said, "we don't need a round one Safety because of the depth of the position this draft."

I disagree with your opinion on our depth. I don't like what we have starting or behind the starters. Wilson would be better suited for Corner and give us more depth there, especially with A.Samuel pulling a fast one. Second, James Sanders is nothing more than a fill in for a couple plays a game.
Ever wonder why Dallas Clark was eating us up in the middle. Next to our slow LB play, our safties really cost us that game. We have ADT now, so we should target a stud safety.

 

[ironwasp]

No we won't be picking Merriweather in the first round - BB only picks first round players who have six or seven letters in their last name

Has been that way since he came here - Strange but true although it means literally nothing I guess,but a stat is a stat,I know,its weird and so am I sometimes

Your take on the name reminds me of something I've been thinking about Brandon Merriweather. He may or may not have what it takes to be Patriot, but if football goes badly for him, he has an appropriate name to become a first class Hobbit.

 

[patchick]

I disagree with your opinion on our depth.

Mcsully, I think you misread...his comment wasn't about safety depth on the roster, but in the draft:
"we don't need a round one Safety because of the depth of the position this draft"

Anyway, I'm with BOR that the character issues are unknowable from where I sit, I leave that to the Patriots to sort out. But assuming for the moment that they feel comfortable with that, the question remains: is he round 1 value?

I'm not convinced. Every Patriots first rounder under BB has been a prototype player for his position. Meriweather is smaller than you'd like, and not as good an athlete as many think. In part, that's a tribute to his game skills -- he's a heck of a football player, good enough to fool you into thinking he's a great athlete. (Just read all the draft reports talking about what a big, fast athlete he is! ) But the fact is that his combine and pro day numbers are not 1st-round caliber, not even close. He measures at the size and strength of a CB but the speed, quickness and leaping ability of a SS. That could limit his ceiling at the next level. A guy like that who grades out an A on football but (charitably) B- on measurables is generally not a first rounder.