Reiss Blog: Analysis of defensive snaps per player

[JackBauer]

That's ALL I'm reading into it. But that is not very good if so. He's a 1st round pick.

So? Plenty of 1st round picks take time to develop. And thankfully, we have that luxury.

 

[psychoPat]

Yep, that does remind me a little bit of UDFA Mike Wright vs. 2nd-rounder Marquise Hill (may he rest in peace).

Most important thing isn't
did Wright beat out Hill? or Baker beat out Meriweather.

Main point is
Coach found a guy who can do the job.
Don't matter where he found him.

 

[Metaphors]

Folks are kidding themselves if they do not read something awry in the lack of PT for Merry.

I'm not sure what to think. He actually got into games during Rodney's suspension. Quite a bit of time in one game (Cincinnati?). Looked active and around the ball. Possibly a little wild, which is obviously a killer in games that matter. Maybe he needed to "unlearn" some things from the U which set him back.

As for Baker, I don't see this as necessarily related to Meriweather. If you get it and show it in practice, you will get some time on the field. I see it as Baker earning time, not being a default guy with Meriweather not being ready.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

I'm not sure what to think. He actually got into games during Rodney's suspension. Quite a bit of time in one game (Cincinnati?). Looked active and around the ball. Possibly a little wild, which is obviously a killer in games that matter. Maybe he needed to "unlearn" some things from the U which set him back.

As for Baker, I don't see this as necessarily related to Meriweather. If you get it and show it in practice, you will get some time on the field. I see it as Baker earning time, not being a default guy with Meriweather not being ready.

PRECISELY the point. The only time he got any PT was because we were out of bodies at the position. Can't beat out JAG Baker. This is NOT typical for a 1st rounder, not even on the Patriots and especially not given the HUGE leads we've had in most games.

 

[patchick]

Most important thing isn't
did Wright beat out Hill? or Baker beat out Meriweather.

Main point is
Coach found a guy who can do the job.
Don't matter where he found him.

That works if Baker is a starting-caliber S for next season, which is obviously the plan in spending a 1st-round pick on Meriweather.

 

[sieglo]

I don't know but I recall Gay and Hobbs playing plenty early on as Pats players.

That's because the Pats were literally out of corners at the time. When the only other option is Hank Poteat, you can bet your ass that Randall Gay will play.

 

[danny88]

PRECISELY the point. The only time he got any PT was because we were out of bodies at the position. Can't beat out JAG Baker. This is NOT typical for a 1st rounder, not even on the Patriots and especially not given the HUGE leads we've had in most games.

I agree. The homer ism on this board at times is ridiculous. Around here first round choices get at least several years to develop. Who cares if other first rounders are contributing of the bat, right?

Didn't you know , Jackson is going to develop in 2012

 

[Nordy]

Would you rather have Meriweather start out slow and come on strong like Warren did or start out fast and then regress like Wilson did? WAY too early to declare Meriweather a bust or anything at this point.

 

[Bobs My Uncle]

That's because the Pats were literally out of corners at the time. When the only other option is Hank Poteat, you can bet your ass that Randall Gay will play.

Well, the Pats are playing Baker so a strong case can be made that they are out of safeties too.

Yet Meriweather sits!

 

[shmessy]

Everybody develops at a different rate. Maybe by the end of the season, this discussion will be irrelavent. Who knows? We are all still waiting for Maroney and Chad Jackson to break out. Maybe we should all practice a little patience.

Maroney and Chad Jackson (btw a 2nd rounder) in their rookie years with injuries played 20 times more snaps in their first nine games than Brandon Meriwether.

I'm not saying Meriwether is a bust. Not at all. Different players take different amounts of time to develop. But a first rounder taking a back seat to Rashad Baker in the ninth game of the season, with Eugene Wilson out, is not a good beginning at all.

 

[Bobs My Uncle]

Would you rather have Meriweather start out slow and come on strong like Warren did or start out fast and then regress like Wilson did? WAY too early to declare Meriweather a bust or anything at this point.

No, I would prefer that Meriweather start out fast and never relinquish the job to a JAG safety named Baker.

But, unfortunately, that hasn't happened.

 

[danny88]

Would you rather have Meriweather start out slow and come on strong like Warren did or start out fast and then regress like Wilson did? WAY too early to declare Meriweather a bust or anything at this point.

I would rather have him look good in games when he did play and live up to his first round price tag.

 

[BelichickFan]

Other than Meriweather isn't ready to play, it doesn't bother me much. Playing Safety for the Patriots isn't an easy thing mentally - so Meriweather isn't ready yet; sure I'd be happier if he were. But this, in no way, suggests he doesn't have the ability to be very good there. He either wasn't quite smart and/or studious enough to get there in the first half of his rookie season.

By NLT the start of camp next year the playbook shouldn't be an issue (if it is, there is a problem) and he should get out on the field a lot. They may be VERY happy with his skills and ability but just aren't ready to put him out on the field yet.

 

[danny88]

Maroney and Chad Jackson (btw a 2nd rounder) in their rookie years with injuries played 20 times more snaps in their first nine games than Brandon Meriwether.

I'm not saying Meriwether is a bust. Not at all. Different players take different amounts of time to develop. But a first rounder taking a back seat to Rashad Baker in the ninth game of the season, with Eugene Wilson out, is not a good beginning at all.

I agree. We could use this kids supposed speed back there at this point.

 

[shmessy]

Again, you're missing the key point here. If we didn't have ridiculous depth, it may very well be a different story.

It is a bit hysterical how quick some are to overreact on this forum.

Ridiculous depth at Safety?

What was the depth chart at third Safety after Harrison and Sanders last week?

 

[Nordy]

I would rather have him look good in games when he did play and live up to his first round price tag.

You avoided the question.

 

[danny88]

You avoided the question.

I would rather have him ahead of baker on the depth chart. What rule says if Meriweather started out fast he would regress? Maybe if he started out fast he would stay that way for his career since he was a first round draft choice and is supposed to have a ton of skill.

 

[patchick]

One reason I do worry about Meriweather: this isn't some raw athletic freak who was drafted based on untapped potential. He's a guy with very modest measurables who was supposed to have terrific football instincts and a good understanding of the game. That's the kind of guy you'd generally expect to be ready early.

 

[shmessy]

No, I would prefer that Meriweather start out fast and never relinquish the job to a JAG safety named Baker.

But, unfortunately, that hasn't happened.

Exactly. No one expects him to crack the starting lineup in his rookie year. The expectation was for him to be the #4 Safety (behind Harrison,Sanders, Wilson) from the get-go. That's pretty conservative expectations. The only time he got up to #4 was when Harrison or Wilson was hurt.

#4 on the Safety depth chart is not a wild expectation for a 1st rounder.

 

[letekro]

I don't know but I recall Gay and Hobbs playing plenty early on as Pats players.

My concern is that JAG Baker is playing ahead of Meriweather this late into the season.

FWIW, JAG Baker was the 82nd ranked recruit in the country coming out of high school (just behind Vince Wilfork and Ronnie Brown), and was one of the best DB's in the SEC. Draft position doesn't tell the entire story of how talented someone is. See Gay, Randall, and Welker, Wes. With Wilson likely moving on, I'm sure you will get a big dose of Meriweather next year.

Also, Gay and Hobbs had to play early because of necessity. Remember Duane Starks and Earthwind Moreland?