Meriweather dealing with injuries this season? (merged)

[Rob0729]

Ok, Todd McShay over at ESPN redid the 2007 draft based on the first half of the season and here is what he wrote:

24. New England Patriots -- Tanard Jackson, S, Syracuse
Original pick: Brandon Meriweather, S, Miami
Running back depth has been an issue, but the Patriots certainly wouldn't reach for one here just to plug the dam while Laurence Maroney recovers. Meriweather has been bothered by injuries this season, so it's completely unreasonable to evaluate him at this point. With that said, New England would think long and hard about trading in Meriweather for Jackson, who has proved to be a fourth-round steal for the Buccaneers. In eight games, Jackson has 37 total tackles with 10 passes defended, an interception and a forced fumble.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=mcshay_todd&id=3098817

What injuries is Meriweather dealing with? I don't remember him ever being on the injury report or even any rumors of injuries. I hope McShay is right in that it will explain his disapointing start of his NFL career.

 

[bbabin]

Re: Meriweather dealing with injuries this season?

If people think his play has been disappointing, I question their expectations. Was he supposed to beat out Wilson Sanders or Harrison as a starting safety? He has been playing on many special teams squads and gotten reps in garbage time defense. Easing rookies into their roles is a luxury that the Patriots' depth usually allows.

 

[stevepratt]

Re: Meriweather dealing with injuries this season?

I dont think people expected him to beat out Sanders, Wilson or Harrison but I dont think its unreasonable to think that he would be ahead of Rashard Baker on the depth chart...as far as the injures go I cant think of a time when he has been on the injury report.. not like the Patriots injury report is reliable either way (who is on or off). I dont think they would be throwing him out there to play special teams if he was injuired. As far as I can tell he doesnt seem to be making a big impact on the special teams either so i dont think they would risk an injury for the little value he is adding

 

[Oswlek]

Re: Meriweather dealing with injuries this season?

With regard to Meriweather, I point to Troy Polomalu. He was so bad in his rookie year that people midway through the year were wondering if he was going to be a bust. The light went on in that offseason and he has been a monster since then. Obviously there is no way to know whether Brandon is on that path, but, other than 2003, BB has historically been slower to incorporate rookies if there is another option.

 

[Rob0729]

Re: Meriweather dealing with injuries this season?

If people think his play has been disappointing, I question their expectations. Was he supposed to beat out Wilson Sanders or Harrison as a starting safety? He has been playing on many special teams squads and gotten reps in garbage time defense. Easing rookies into their roles is a luxury that the Patriots' depth usually allows.

He is first round pick and he played 1 play on Sunday. I am not expecting him to start, but as a first round pick I expect him to beat out Rasad Baker on the depth chart. If you are ok with him being the 3rd or fourth FS on the depth chart behind a fourth year journeyman safety, more power to you. I expect a first round draft pick to make a contribution beyond special teams and mop up duty.

Sorry, but barring injuries, calling Meriweather's season so far anything but disapointing is being very generous. He should be at least rotating in more on nickel and dime packages, but he is seeing less and less of playing time in those packages.

 

[Rob0729]

Re: Meriweather dealing with injuries this season?

With regard to Meriweather, I point to Troy Polomalu. He was so bad in his rookie year that people midway through the year were wondering if he was going to be a bust. The light went on in that offseason and he has been a monster since then. Obviously there is no way to know whether Brandon is on that path, but, other than 2003, BB has historically been slower to incorporate rookies if there is another option.

Polumalu had 38 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 4 pass defenses in his rookie year. He had only one game where he didn't have at least two tackles. Meriweather has 15 tackles, no sacks, no forced fumbles, and no pass defenses. Meriweather has had two tackles in the last five games combined.

It is fair to compare Meriweather to Polumalu. But by comparing their rookie seasons alone so far, the only conclusion you can come from that limited information is that Meriweather will never be a top safety in this league. Polumalu was the DROY compared to what Meriweather has done. Yes, Polumalu had a slow start to his career, but no where this bad of a start.

Meriweather could turn it around and turn into a great safety, but he has been a disapointment so far and has had a far worse rookie season than Polumalu had his rookie year up to this point.

 

[Oswlek]

Re: Meriweather dealing with injuries this season?

Polumalu had 38 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 4 pass defenses in his rookie year. He had only one game where he didn't have at least two tackles. Meriweather has 15 tackles, no sacks, no forced fumbles, and no pass defenses. Meriweather has had two tackles in the last five games combined.

It is fair to compare Meriweather to Polumalu. But by comparing their rookie seasons alone so far, the only conclusion you can come from that limited information is that Meriweather will never be a top safety in this league. Polumalu was the DROY compared to what Meriweather has done. Yes, Polumalu had a slow start to his career, but no where this bad of a start.

Meriweather could turn it around and turn into a great safety, but he has been a disapointment so far and has had a far worse rookie season than Polumalu had his rookie year up to this point.

You are making a giant mistake in your logic. Troy was on the field for nearly every play while Meriweather has not been. While one could easily say that his lack of playing time is a negative it is indisputible that Meriweather's stats would look more impressive with more playing time.

 

[Remix 6]

Re: Meriweather dealing with injuries this season?

You are making a giant mistake in your logic. Troy was on the field for nearly every play while Meriweather has not been. While one could easily say that his lack of playing time is a negative it is indisputible that Meriweather's stats would look more impressive with more playing time.

scrub safeties in Pittsburgh when Troy got there. Meriweather comes with 3 good ones

 

[Oswlek]

Re: Meriweather dealing with injuries this season?

scrub safeties in Pittsburgh when Troy got there. Meriweather comes with 3 good ones

That is my point. I was just countering the "playing time" issue before it was raised.

 

[jays52]

Re: Meriweather dealing with injuries this season?

So, because he's not in the starting lineup and not putting up gaudy stats, people assume he's not that great?

Sir, have you met a friend of mine? Ty Warren?

 

[Rob0729]

Re: Meriweather dealing with injuries this season?

You are making a giant mistake in your logic. Troy was on the field for nearly every play while Meriweather has not been. While one could easily say that his lack of playing time is a negative it is indisputible that Meriweather's stats would look more impressive with more playing time.

The thing is even with us blowing out teams, Meriweather is getting less, not more playing time. Typically, back ups get more playing time in blow outs, not less. The fact that Meriweather is not getting more playing time and the last two weeks the Pats have chosen to play Baker over Meriweather is very damning to Meriweather.

Polumalu had a decent rookie season. It wasn't spectacular, but he did make some plays.

Meriweather has done little to nothing all year. Yeah, he runs all around when he is out there, but is he making any plays. The only time anyone can remember him doing anything in the last month and half is blowing our shutout vs. Washington. I am not giving up on the guy, but for a first round draft pick, he is playing like a pretty good sixth or seventh rounder.

 

[Oswlek]

Re: Meriweather dealing with injuries this season?

So, because he's not in the starting lineup and not putting up gaudy stats, people assume he's not that great?

Sir, have you met a friend of mine? Ty Warren?

There is no patience in evaluation any more. A guy is either an all pro or a bust by his 8th game. It is completely unacceptable for a first rounder to be a solid contributor. Bust or HOF - no in between.

H

 

[Oswlek]

Re: Meriweather dealing with injuries this season?

The thing is even with us blowing out teams, Meriweather is getting less, not more playing time. Typically, back ups get more playing time in blow outs, not less. The fact that Meriweather is not getting more playing time and the last two weeks the Pats have chosen to play Baker over Meriweather is very damning to Meriweather.

Polumalu had a decent rookie season. It wasn't spectacular, but he did make some plays.

Meriweather has done little to nothing all year. Yeah, he runs all around when he is out there, but is he making any plays. The only time anyone can remember him doing anything in the last month and half is blowing our shutout vs. Washington. I am not giving up on the guy, but for a first round draft pick, he is playing like a pretty good sixth or seventh rounder.

Based on? Again, the conventional wisdom was that Troy was a bust most of the way through his first year. All the "whispers" from league insiders intimated that Pitt was seriously questioning his mental grasp of the game.

Patience. I seem to recall BOR talking very highly of Baker at times last year. Maybe he is better than you think.

 

[Remix 6]

Re: Meriweather dealing with injuries this season?

So, because he's not in the starting lineup and not putting up gaudy stats, people assume he's not that great?

Sir, have you met a friend of mine? Ty Warren?

Rodney Harrison didn't start his rookie year.Had 20 ST tackles and 1 recovery on a SB team with Chargers

hes playing both S and CB .. give him time. Im sure we can put him out there and be fine but were developing him and maybe coaches like what they see in Baker..he was great in minicamp and all.

Meriweather is fine

all pro or bust after 8 games? were a SB caliber team. our pass D is ranked top 5 in NFL. You tell me. why fix what aint broke?

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Re: Meriweather dealing with injuries this season?

So, because he's not in the starting lineup and not putting up gaudy stats, people assume he's not that great?

Sir, have you met a friend of mine? Ty Warren?

Please read more carefully.
People are rightly concerned that the kid cannot get any PT not even at the expense of JAG Baker. No matter how you spin it, that is NOT a good sign for a #1 pick. Remember, BB loves rotating in fresh players...if they can do the job.

 

[Rob0729]

Re: Meriweather dealing with injuries this season?

So, because he's not in the starting lineup and not putting up gaudy stats, people assume he's not that great?

Sir, have you met a friend of mine? Ty Warren?

Ty Warren through week 9 of his rookie season had 4 starts, 25 tackles, a sack, and 2 pass defenses. Warren didn't have a great rookie season, but far better than Meriweather.

You guys have to give up on this not starting crap. No one is saying that. He is playing behind Rasad Baker who would never start in a million years for us. When Wilson returns, he will be behind him too.

The guy sees less and less playing time week after week. Unless we are constantly adding more and more starting quality safeties that we don't know about, he is getting less time because the production isn't there.

 

[TheBaronPatriot]

Re: Meriweather dealing with injuries this season?

Cooley embarrassed him pretty bad
when he just steam rolled him bc he tried to tackle him high
his Miami "U" nickname was hit stick
didn't look like it on that one
that being said, it happens, he's young
he will learn from it and make plays down the stretch
but so far, he hasn't been what as BB would say "what we're looking for"

 

[Remix 6]

Re: Meriweather dealing with injuries this season?

Please read more carefully.
People are rightly concerned that the kid cannot get any PT not even at the expense of JAG Baker. No matter how you spin it, that is NOT a good sign for a #1 pick. Remember, BB loves rotating in fresh players...if they can do the job.

and how do u know that Baker is JAG?

maybe he brings a different element to the game that we wanted against specific teams than Meriweather does.

 

[Remix 6]

Re: Meriweather dealing with injuries this season?

Cooley embarrassed him pretty bad
when he just steam rolled him bc he tried to tackle him high
his Miami "U" nickname was hit stick
didn't look like it on that one
that being said, it happens, he's young
he will learn from it and make plays down the stretch
but so far, he hasn't been what as BB would say "what we're looking for"

oh because being an inch away from a guy twice your size with no speed/momentum going at him is very easy right?

btw u guys ever thing maybe Meriweather is a CB for us and NOT a safety?

he played a lot at CB in TC and in preseason.

 

[Rob0729]

Re: Meriweather dealing with injuries this season?

There is no patience in evaluation any more. A guy is either an all pro or a bust by his 8th game. It is completely unacceptable for a first rounder to be a solid contributor. Bust or HOF - no in between.

H

Stop putting words in my mouth. When did I EVER say Meriweather was a bust. All I said is he is a disapointment so far which is indisputable.

I am patient with the guy. I am not labeling him a bust. I am labeling him a disapointment so far. When you get one defensive play the 9th game of your rookie season as a first round draft pick and you are not injured, you are a disapointment.

Many rookie disapointments turn into All Pros, but many, many more don't. I think 9 games into his rookie season where his on the field production has been reduced is enough time to raise a red flag. It doesn't mean I am ready to call him a bust and call to cut the guy.

But we may lose Harrison and Wilson this offseason. The fact that Meriweather is not stepping up means that we need to spend a high draft pick or free agency energy for someone to compete with Meriweather next season unless he does an 180.