So whats the hopeful safety tandem this year??

[RobertWeathers]

IMO the post is collectively not giving Merriweather a reasonable chance to win the starting FS job. From all accounts, he's much more talented that Wilson and based on recent history, can claim (as long as this hamstring issue in passing camp isn't serious) hes healthy. BB has a history of injecting people in their 1st year into the FS/SS spot (mostly due to injury, but the safety position affords more time to read/react therefore rookies and 1st yer players can transition into the system as a much more accelerated rate than say LBs).

Now, Merriweather most likely not start game 1 as Wilson (if healthy and with a renewed zeal for the game) and Hawkins know the system very well, but if Samuel sits out will Week 10, you could see Wilson move to CB and Merriweather supplant Hawkins as the FS on talent alone. Harrison will have his SS reps reduced to about 30-40 snaps a game as Sanders has become a major player in the Pats secondary.

I know "Blue" Gay, Scott, and the other vagabonds we have could play on the other side, or as a nickel/dime but I'm seeing Merriweather in there in a major way on 07.

My .02$

 

[PatsFan37]

IMO the post is collectively not giving Merriweather a reasonable chance to win the starting FS job. From all accounts, he's much more talented that Wilson and based on recent history, can claim (as long as this hamstring issue in passing camp isn't serious) hes healthy. BB has a history of injecting people in their 1st year into the FS/SS spot (mostly due to injury, but the safety position affords more time to read/react therefore rookies and 1st yer players can transition into the system as a much more accelerated rate than say LBs).

The thing is, nickel and dime defenses are on the field something close to half the time, so relegating Meriweather to a nickleback doesn't mean he won't play. If he's the 'starting' nickleback, he might not be on the field the first defensive play of the game, but he'll still see 50% of the snaps.

 

[RobertWeathers]

The thing is, nickel and dime defenses are on the field something close to half the time, so relegating Meriweather to a nickleback doesn't mean he won't play. If he's the 'starting' nickleback, he might not be on the field the first defensive play of the game, but he'll still see 50% of the snaps.

I agree. His butt will be on the field no matter what. BB's Ds have had 2 SS and 2 FSs and sometimes 0 S at all. My opinion is that they see him as more of a FS than a CB/Nickel. He might be more of a dime guy as he is a decent sized guy who can cover the 3rd down back/TE/ 4th WR. Nickel is more on the LoS where there is more to know & process from a coverage perspective. IMO.

Thinking back, in 2003 Asante was the nickel and that was his rookie year so it could happen. However Asante was a pure CB. 2004 & 2005 was Gay/Brown/Poteat and last year was Scott/Spann and others.

It'll be fun to see how it all plays out!

 

[captain stone]

Like most on the board, I am ass-u-ming that Samuel comes to his senses and signs his tender. I am also hopeful that Meriweather makes me forget that we passed on da Poz. With those in mind, here is my fantasy depth chart:

SS - FS
Harrison - Meriweather
Sanders - Scott
Mitchell - James
FS = E Jackson (inj?), Baker

CB - CB/FS
Samuel - Wilson
Hobbs - Gay
Anam - Hawkins
Richardson - Andrews
G Williams - Spann

Notes:
1) To me, Chad Scott and Tory James cannot effectively play CB without giving large cushions to the WRs. However, they have the size (and hopefully the tackling ability) to play FS.
2) Wilson has been injured and ineffective the past 2 years. Perhaps playing safety has taken its toll. In a contract year, he could maximize his value by returning to CB, his college position at Illinois.
3) Artrell Hawkins disintegrated before my eyes during the playoffs. Given his size, if he can no longer stay with WRs, then he is in serious peril.

If I could choose 10 DBs for the 53, as of today they would be:
Harrison
Meriweather
Samuel
Wilson
Hobbs
Sanders
Gay
Mitchell
Anam/Andrews/Richardson
Hawkins/Scott/James

 

[RayClay]

I don't think Eugene plays much more safety in his career.

I don't think all that hitting agrees with him and he was a much higher rated prospect than Asante.