Merriweather's role this season?

[Asante4prez]

What does everyone see Merriweather's role being this season?

I wasn't a big fan of the pick at first but, he did have a respectable career at UM (despite the FIU brawl). Behlichick seems to like to play young secondary right away but maybe that is due mostly to the annual injuries that hit our DB's and safeties each year. Hobbs has turned into quite an athletic cb and with some more time, I think Gay could be decent as well. I see the Pats moving Eugene to Safety, but eventually, if he shows talent, moving Merriweather to that spot...

 

[LloydBraun]

Albert Breer mentioned on WEEI yesterday that Merriweather can play some corner, and that he is very good there.

The versatility of this D must have BB drooling.

 

[danny88]

What does everyone see Merriweather's role being this season?

I wasn't a big fan of the pick at first but, he did have a respectable career at UM (despite the FIU brawl). Behlichick seems to like to play young secondary right away but maybe that is due mostly to the annual injuries that hit our DB's and safeties each year. Hobbs has turned into quite an athletic cb and with some more time, I think Gay could be decent as well. I see the Pats moving Eugene to Safety, but eventually, if he shows talent, moving Merriweather to that spot...

He has a lot more talent then respectable. Aside from the overhyped FIU thing the kid would have went a lot sooner in the first round.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Albert Breer mentioned on WEEI yesterday that Merriweather can play some corner, and that he is very good there.

The versatility of this D must have BB drooling.

Word up is that he's a good kicker too.

 

[Mack Herron]

He will have a hard time jumping in to this secondary. Harrison and Wilson are the safeties, Hobbs and either Gay/Scott start on the outside. I think BB will look for various ways to get Merriweather's athleticism on the field, and that best case is he could start the season as the slot corner. Once he gains experience in pro coverage, he would be a candidate for CB if they are not satisfied with personnel there. He has versatitlity to play CB as well as FS.

 

[BelichickFan]

I'd say : a big one somewhere. Every #1 pick has had a big role (not necessarily starting) since Belichick got here - other than Watson who looked like he had a big role before getting hurt Week 1.

Whether it's as a CB with Samuel holding out, Safety in place of Wilson or a slot CB in the many nickel situations we'll face, or some combination thereof, he'll be on the field a lot.

One spot he should help a lot is the slot role against the Anthony Gonzalez' of the world (and we now have Adalius Thomas who can cover Dallas Clark, thank God).

 

[Oswlek]

I'm pretty sure the plan is to convert him to a TE.

 

[stinkypete]

Ideally, Marriweather is our #5 defensive back. He should play the nickel, and be the primary backup at corner plus both safety positions.

Should Samuel hold out, I think Scott will start for the first month or two, with Meriweather working into more reps as the season progresses.

 

[dhamz]

After he missed minicamp with it, hopefully his role won't be nursing his hamstring all season Chad Jackson style.

 

[patchick]

Meriweather certainly has strong coverage skills, but there's a reason he entered the draft as a S rather than a CB. That's where you put a DB with outstanding football skills, instincts and intelligence, but nothing special in the way of measurables. (For perspective, even undrafted Randall Gay tested significantly faster, quicker and hoppier.)

Meriweather's speed is called "game speed," otherwise known as "he reads and reacts well and puts himself in the right position to be around the play so you don't notice his athletic limitations." Which is generally a compliment, but you have to put him in the right situation to succeed. I think Meriweather has LOTS of promise as a safety but I wouldn't be thrilled to seem him at CB in a base defense.

 

[WhiZa]

He will be starting when Wilson gets injured in week 3

 

[patsox23]

Eugene won't be being "moved" to safety, Eugene IS a safety. Meriweather, while he might see time at CB is most definitely going to play safety for the Pats. I imagine if Geno and Rodney are healthy at the start of the season, he will see time here and there, and it will increase going forward. But don't expect a convert to CB for Meriweather, that's not likely in the cards.

 

[sebman2112]

What does everyone see Merriweather's role being this season?

I wasn't a big fan of the pick at first but, he did have a respectable career at UM (despite the FIU brawl). Behlichick seems to like to play young secondary right away but maybe that is due mostly to the annual injuries that hit our DB's and safeties each year. Hobbs has turned into quite an athletic cb and with some more time, I think Gay could be decent as well. I see the Pats moving Eugene to Safety, but eventually, if he shows talent, moving Merriweather to that spot...

I don't know if he starts out the season as the starter but if Samuel plays I think at some point this season Meriweather will be the starting FS. Now, if Samuel doesn't come around/or gets traded I could see Meriweather taking a larger role at CB this season.

Meriweather had more than just a respectable career at Miami. He holds two career tackle records for Miami, was a team captain, won their annual Hard hitter award, held Calvin Johnson in check twice, and went four games without giving up a single reception. I was very happy when the Patriots picked him, and it wasn't just because I predicted they would

 

[sebman2112]

He will have a hard time jumping in to this secondary. Harrison and Wilson are the safeties, Hobbs and either Gay/Scott start on the outside. I think BB will look for various ways to get Merriweather's athleticism on the field, and that best case is he could start the season as the slot corner. Once he gains experience in pro coverage, he would be a candidate for CB if they are not satisfied with personnel there. He has versatitlity to play CB as well as FS.

Dean Peas said drafting Meriweather will allow them to move other players, and said Meriweather was a Safety first but would be used at CB in certain situations. I think the coaching staff has a little more planned for Meriweather than you suggest.

 

[sebman2112]

Meriweather certainly has strong coverage skills, but there's a reason he entered the draft as a S rather than a CB. That's where you put a DB with outstanding football skills, instincts and intelligence, but nothing special in the way of measurables. (For perspective, even undrafted Randall Gay tested significantly faster, quicker and hoppier.)

Meriweather's speed is called "game speed," otherwise known as "he reads and reacts well and puts himself in the right position to be around the play so you don't notice his athletic limitations." Which is generally a compliment, but you have to put him in the right situation to succeed. I think Meriweather has LOTS of promise as a safety but I wouldn't be thrilled to seem him at CB in a base defense.

Some scouting pubs ranked Meriweather as the third best CB in the draft, but I do think he's a Safety.

 

[patriot lifer]

we'll have to see how he does and what he plays in training camp. That is assuming his hamstring is up for it. can't wait to see him in game

 

[Asante4prez]

Eugene won't be being "moved" to safety, Eugene IS a safety. Meriweather, while he might see time at CB is most definitely going to play safety for the Pats. I imagine if Geno and Rodney are healthy at the start of the season, he will see time here and there, and it will increase going forward. But don't expect a convert to CB for Meriweather, that's not likely in the cards.

I am a Eugene Fan! Anyone remember when he absolutely decked Putzier on the broncos? Eugene is a hard hitter for a relatively smaller defender. I hope he plays well this year.

 

[PatsFan37]

Dean Peas said drafting Meriweather will allow them to move other players, and said Meriweather was a Safety first but would be used at CB in certain situations. I think the coaching staff has a little more planned for Meriweather than you suggest.

Isn't this the sort of thing they used to do with Wilson, especially in the days of the 'patchwork secondary.' Belichick seems to like having safeties with the speed and cover skills to play corner.

 

[AirForcePatFan]

Word up is that he's a good kicker too.

I just LOVE your sarcasism...

To answer the OP, I think he will end up playing a little bit of CB and Safety... :rocker:

 

[gomezcat]

My guess is that he'll start at FS. His 4.52 40 would, as patchick suggests, probably rule him out playing corner on a full time basis. Why not start him as soon as possible? That might not be week one but it could be in the first month. . Taking him in the first round is hardly a vote of confidence for Eugene, is it? Eugene may have a shot at one of the corner spots, though.