Is the secondary a problem?

[Asante4prez]

Everybody on here seems very content with next year's secondary. Me, I think is the one and only "hole" on our team. There is just too many "ifs" for me to feel comfortable about the Pats ability to stop the pass..No? Don't believe me? Well "homers" lets have a look.....


Yea, the Pats were at the middle of the pack in terms of pass defense...
http://www.nfl.com/stats/teamsort/NFL/DEF-PASSING/2006/regular?sort_col_1=8&_1:col_1=8

but towards the end of the year and especially in the playoffs that secondary looked vulnerable, especially to the deep ball...

The ifs:

Rodney can stay healthy?
Eugene Wilson play to potential?
Asante?
Can Hobbs step it up?
will Merriweather immediatley ready to contribute?

The secondary doesn't WOW me at all...I did like the pickup of Tory James....


Does anyone else feel the same way?

 

[Remix 6]

Everybody on here seems very content with next year's secondary. Me, I think is the one and only "hole" on our team. There is just too many "ifs" for me to feel comfortable about the Pats ability to stop the pass..No? Don't believe me? Well "homers" lets have a look.....


Yea, the Pats were at the middle of the pack in terms of pass defense...
http://www.nfl.com/stats/teamsort/NFL/DEF-PASSING/2006/regular?sort_col_1=8&_1:col_1=8

but towards the end of the year and especially in the playoffs that secondary looked vulnerable, especially to the deep ball...

The ifs:

Rodney can stay healthy?
Eugene Wilson play to potential?
Asante?
Can Hobbs step it up?
will Merriweather immediatley ready to contribute?

The secondary doesn't WOW me at all...I did like the pickup of Tory James....


Does anyone else feel the same way?

i think Rodney can..and will. Injuries cant be controlled really
Wilson cna play to potential..should because contract year and health

Asante? ehh

Hobbs can step it up..love his attitude

Meriweather can and will contribute right away. Watch

 

[patsox23]

I think it's hard to argue with the fact that the area of greatest concern on the entire team is in the secondary. I think that's mitigated somewhat by the so many solid guys coming back from injury ('though it's also a big part of WHY there's a concern in the first place) and by the fact that Belichick has always been able to scheme "around" the DBs (Earthwind Moreland and Randall Gay say hi). A close second - the age of the LBs, blah blah blah...

 

[BradyManny]

Everybody on here seems very content with next year's secondary. Me, I think is the one and only "hole" on our team. There is just too many "ifs" for me to feel comfortable about the Pats ability to stop the pass..No? Don't believe me? Well "homers" lets have a look.....

A few years ago we released a veteran Pro Bowler safety and filled his spot with a rookie-corner turned safety. We won the Super Bowl the next two seasons.

With that in mind, I really don't think I'm ready to panic re: the secondary.

 

[rabthepat]

I am concerned because they can't seem to stay healthy. Hobbs, Harrison, Wilson, Gay playing hurt or out last year.

 

[spacecrime]

Everybody on here seems very content with next year's secondary. Me, I think is the one and only "hole" on our team. There is just too many "ifs" for me to feel comfortable about the Pats ability to stop the pass..No? Don't believe me? Well "homers" lets have a look.....


Yea, the Pats were at the middle of the pack in terms of pass defense...
http://www.nfl.com/stats/teamsort/NFL/DEF-PASSING/2006/regular?sort_col_1=8&_1:col_1=8

but towards the end of the year and especially in the playoffs that secondary looked vulnerable, especially to the deep ball...

The ifs:

Rodney can stay healthy?
Eugene Wilson play to potential?
Asante?
Can Hobbs step it up?
will Merriweather immediatley ready to contribute?

The secondary doesn't WOW me at all...I did like the pickup of Tory James....


Does anyone else feel the same way?

No, for two reasons. You sorted on the wrong field. You used pass defense instead of points allowed. When the Pats lose a game 320 yards to 290 yards, then talk to me about rating a defense based on yards. Until then, let's talk about points. If you don't want to talk points, consider this: The Pats allowed 10 passign TDs last year, the fewest in the league.

If you accept that the defense that set a record all-time for Patriots last year might be okay, le's see what you're issues are this year:

You are concerned about the health/longevity of Harrison, Wilson, Asante, Hobbs and Meriweather. Three of these guys didn't even play last year, so have them back has to be a plus. Hobbs played with a cast. Asante is the only question mark, and all he can do is sit out the first half of the year. Last year he was only average the first half of the year.

Last year the defense was superb. If they hadbn't gotten sick and Polian hadn't turned up the heat of the flu-ridden guys, we'd have another Lombari (unless you think the bears would have beaten us).

How can our secondary not be better than it was last year?

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

No, for two reasons. You sorted on the wrong field. You used pass defense instead of points allowed. When the Pats lose a game 320 yards to 290 yards, then talk to me about rating a defense based on yards. Until then, let's talk about points. If you don't want to talk points, consider this: The Pats allowed 10 passign TDs last year, the fewest in the league.

If you accept that the defense that set a record all-time for Patriots last year might be okay, le's see what you're issues are this year:

You are concerned about the health/longevity of Harrison, Wilson, Asante, Hobbs and Meriweather. Three of these guys didn't even play last year, so have them back has to be a plus. Hobbs played with a cast. Asante is the only question mark, and all he can do is sit out the first half of the year. Last year he was only average the first half of the year.

Last year the defense was superb. If they hadbn't gotten sick and Polian hadn't turned up the heat of the flu-ridden guys, we'd have another Lombari (unless you think the bears would have beaten us).

How can our secondary not be better than it was last year?

Here, here! :singing:

 

[Wotan_the_Wanderer]

No, for two reasons. You sorted on the wrong field. You used pass defense instead of points allowed. When the Pats lose a game 320 yards to 290 yards, then talk to me about rating a defense based on yards. Until then, let's talk about points. If you don't want to talk points, consider this: The Pats allowed 10 passign TDs last year, the fewest in the league.

Right and I wish Pats fans would come to terms with this. Look, the nature of the "bend but don't break" D means that the D cares little about total yards given up be it rushing, passing or combined thereby rendering any stat head ranking useless when assessing the performance of this D. In this defense, "break" means giving up points so the nature of this defense is to prevent breaks. This, they've consistently done well and even when railed with a plethora of injuries up the middle last season, they only trailed Baltimore in the league in points allowed. And if you think guys like Tedy, Rodney, Sey and so forth give two hoots about yards allowed, I think they'd likely laugh it off. However, they do pay close attention to team ranking in points allowed. It's not a mere coincidence that when Tuna came into town with a defense that had allowed the fewest points in the league prior to the match-up against the Pats, the Pats shut them out to take over the statistical lead in '03. A similar situation happened the following season in a match-up against Baltimore though the Pats ended up finishing second in points allowed to Pitt. But I've digress a bit...

To answer the question posed by the OP, no I'm not worried. Only thing that concerns me at this point are a string of injuries to the CBs. People also keep forgetting that Chad Scott can play. And lastly, I really would not put Randal Gay in the same sentence with Earthwind Moreland. It's actually an insult to Gay.

 

[AirForcePatFan]

I'm not hitting the Panic button yet because to me, the Front 7 does the bulk of the work in stopping the run, pressuring the QB, and causing mayhem and the CBs get alot of help because of that... I ALWAYS feel better when Harrison is back there, and when he's not, I do tend to worry more.. I'm not quite sure on the stat, but it seems like when we have lost to the Colts, Rodney hasn't been in the game because of injury... If Rodney is healthy, and regardless of Asante being there or not, I still think we will be fine... I also look forward to seeing Meriweather play, and I LOVE Hobbs play, I think he will be even better this year... I'm sure at this time of year, BB is thinking of all the What ifs that could go wrong, and will be preparing players for those situations in TC.. So, I'm not worried, but I do feel the Pat Secondary has the worse luck in staying injury free, and it's frustrating to me, as the fan, I can only imagine how it is to the players and coaches...

 

[mgteich]

Well stated! We had one of the best pass defenses last year, and almost went to SB. Do we really believe that the pass defense is worse this year? Hobbs will play with both arms this year. The combination of Gay, Harrison and Wilson will certainly contribute more to this playoff run than they did to the last. Sanders get better in every game he plays at strong safety. We've added James and Meriweather. The combination of all this will make up for the loss of Samuel.

No, for two reasons. You sorted on the wrong field. You used pass defense instead of points allowed. When the Pats lose a game 320 yards to 290 yards, then talk to me about rating a defense based on yards. Until then, let's talk about points. If you don't want to talk points, consider this: The Pats allowed 10 passign TDs last year, the fewest in the league.

If you accept that the defense that set a record all-time for Patriots last year might be okay, le's see what you're issues are this year:

You are concerned about the health/longevity of Harrison, Wilson, Asante, Hobbs and Meriweather. Three of these guys didn't even play last year, so have them back has to be a plus. Hobbs played with a cast. Asante is the only question mark, and all he can do is sit out the first half of the year. Last year he was only average the first half of the year.

Last year the defense was superb. If they hadbn't gotten sick and Polian hadn't turned up the heat of the flu-ridden guys, we'd have another Lombari (unless you think the bears would have beaten us).

How can our secondary not be better than it was last year?

 

[zippo59]

I am concerned because they can't seem to stay healthy. Hobbs, Harrison, Wilson, Gay playing hurt or out last year.

I agree here. Our healthy secondary (meaning all are players) is pretty good. With injuries we could run into problems and it seems we ALWAYS have tons of injuries back there. I would be willing to bet that the Patriots have had the most DBs go on IR over the last three years.

 

[zippo59]

Well stated! We had one of the best pass defenses last year, and almost went to SB. Do we really believe that the pass defense is worse this year? Hobbs will play with both arms this year. The combination of Gay, Harrison and Wilson will certainly contribute more to this playoff run than they did to the last. Sanders get better in every game he plays at strong safety. We've added James and Meriweather. The combination of all this will make up for the loss of Samuel.

I'm not pretending everything is roses in the sky or anything, but I'll believe Samuel will forfit 5 million dollars when I see it. And I don't think the Patriots are going to give in.

 

[RayClay]

A few years ago we released a veteran Pro Bowler safety and filled his spot with a rookie-corner turned safety. We won the Super Bowl the next two seasons.

With that in mind, I really don't think I'm ready to panic re: the secondary.

I could be wrong but didn't we pick up somebody named Harrison that year?

 

[RayClay]

No, for two reasons. You sorted on the wrong field. You used pass defense instead of points allowed. When the Pats lose a game 320 yards to 290 yards, then talk to me about rating a defense based on yards. Until then, let's talk about points. If you don't want to talk points, consider this: The Pats allowed 10 passign TDs last year, the fewest in the league.

If you accept that the defense that set a record all-time for Patriots last year might be okay, le's see what you're issues are this year:

You are concerned about the health/longevity of Harrison, Wilson, Asante, Hobbs and Meriweather. Three of these guys didn't even play last year, so have them back has to be a plus. Hobbs played with a cast. Asante is the only question mark, and all he can do is sit out the first half of the year. Last year he was only average the first half of the year.

Last year the defense was superb. If they hadbn't gotten sick and Polian hadn't turned up the heat of the flu-ridden guys, we'd have another Lombari (unless you think the bears would have beaten us).

How can our secondary not be better than it was last year?

It used to be the other teams that made excuses.

If we have our best cornerback I think we'll be fine. If not?.......

 

[Patti37]

The only hole I see with this team is the secondary.

 

[Asante4prez]

No, for two reasons. You sorted on the wrong field. You used pass defense instead of points allowed. When the Pats lose a game 320 yards to 290 yards, then talk to me about rating a defense based on yards. Until then, let's talk about points. If you don't want to talk points, consider this: The Pats allowed 10 passign TDs last year, the fewest in the league.

If you accept that the defense that set a record all-time for Patriots last year might be okay, le's see what you're issues are this year:

You are concerned about the health/longevity of Harrison, Wilson, Asante, Hobbs and Meriweather. Three of these guys didn't even play last year, so have them back has to be a plus. Hobbs played with a cast. Asante is the only question mark, and all he can do is sit out the first half of the year. Last year he was only average the first half of the year.

Last year the defense was superb. If they hadbn't gotten sick and Polian hadn't turned up the heat of the flu-ridden guys, we'd have another Lombari (unless you think the bears would have beaten us).

How can our secondary not be better than it was last year?

What about getting torched that last quarter of the season, especially in the playoffs? Didn't that seem a bit un-patriotlike. You know when we were up 3 touchdowns and lost to Indy. I'm just saying if a few guys get injured, that could be our achilles heel...I have faith in Behlichick though....

 

[WhiZa]

I'm not hitting the Panic button yet because to me, the Front 7 does the bulk of the work in stopping the run, pressuring the QB, and causing mayhem and the CBs get alot of help because of that...

agreed, the pats front 7 can make any DB look better than they are. That's why having medicore CBs is not much of a concern. Also the fact they play a 3-4 allows the LBs the flexibility to help in coverage. It's a win-win.

Denver is the opposite. They have a "not as good" front 7, but make it up with an excellent secondary. They can stack the line (with a 4-3) and feel safe to put their DBs on an island 1v1.

 

[Rob0729]

Although the secondary is a concern, I don't think it is a huge one just yet. I still think our defense is still more driven by the play of the front seven. If they play well, they can hide deficiencies in the secondary.

I do agree that, at the end of the day, Samuel will not give nearly a half of a million dollars a game to hold out for the first ten games.

I think Hobbs might take the next step this year. He looked to be on that way before he broke his wrist. What was lost in the Denver game was other than a 30 yard TD pass, Hobbs pretty much silenced Javon Walker. It was Samuel and Chad Scott who gave up the 80 yard TD.

I think Wilson will be back and has stayed relatively healthy in his career other than last year.

Harrison actually concerns me the most (assuming Samuel does play). He is getting up there in age and he has had three major injuries in the last two years. I don't think Sanders is ready to be a fulltime starter. Merriweather is an option since he can and has played every position in the secondary. But like Bob Sanders, his size could be an issue to stay healthy at the SS position.

 

[PatsFan37]

What about getting torched that last quarter of the season, especially in the playoffs? Didn't that seem a bit un-patriotlike. You know when we were up 3 touchdowns and lost to Indy. I'm just saying if a few guys get injured, that could be our achilles heel...I have faith in Behlichick though....

Hello Asante's cousin, how the heck are you? How are those salary negotiations going? Is that your point?

Anyway, the starting safeties for the last game against the Colts will be on the bench behind THREE safeties. Sanders and Hawkins might not see the field even in nickel formations.

Now think about this: the Colts have taken significant losses in their secondary and a loss in their receiver corps. The Patriots have had significant gains (through health and the draft) in their secondary and astronomical gains in their receiver corps.

These teams were evenly matched last year, fighting to the last thirty seconds. Where are they this year?

Shouldn't the Colts (the team you're using as an example) be a whole lot more worried than the Pats?

If you want to worry about something, worry about depth at RB. The secondary is fine.

 

[dhamz]

Problem might be overstating it. Concern is a better word. It is really the only area of concern I have with the team. Pass defense is a spot we fell down in when it counted last year and the secondary is a big part of that. The last 2 games against Indy our pass D has been shredded for 675 yards. And it wasn't "bend don't break" because 65 points allowed is being shredded.

Samuel is clearly the best corner on the roster and as of now we don't know what will happen with him. Rodney Harrison is the best safety and he has had 3 significant injuries in 2 years. Those guys are very important to the secondary. Not having either will have an impact.

Eugene Wilson is probably the other starter at safety on the depth chart right now and his injuries problems the past few years rival Harrison's. Gay defines injury prone so far in his career. Meriweather is unproven as of now.

Having only one real concern on a team July 1st is a really great spot to be in. There is plenty of time for the Samuel situation to work itself out, for Meriweather to develop, etc. but sitting here today it is an area that has a lot of question marks.