Meriweather dealing with injuries this season? (merged)

[Brady-To-Branch]

Re: Meriweather dealing with injuries this season?

This is the epitome of what I am saying. I agree that Meriweather did not stand out like a contributor should in the PS. I agree that it is disappointing that he hasn't made more of a name for himself.

But why do we need to make career proclamations after half of one season? Isn't is possible - nay probable - that the guy will improve? Haven't we all seen examples of guys who made 2nd year leaps? And since when are secondary positions so much easier to grasp than DL? Frankly, every other time I have heard anyone mention DL rookies, they say it is an easier position to grasp than most other positions (other than RB).

Patience.

Ball instincts aren't remedied by good coaching. If you don't have them, you'll likely never will.

I liked James Sanders b/c he displayed good ball instincts in his rookie year, before getting injured.

I watched and re-watched (DV-R) preseason games and Meriweather looked completely lost on pass coverage at both CB and S.

As the season progresses, and his time within the system increases, Meriweather is seeing less and less time with the regular D.

As I said, I was on his bandwagon on draft day. So I looked back to see if I missed something. I did. It turned out that Meriweather regressed in his senior season. That's a red flag for any draft prospect. If he regresses in college, it's not a good sign.

IMO, the Pats got screwed when Seattle pulled several games out of their ***** and the Pats got stuck with the 24th pick. There was a run on DBs in the 1st round, Asante Samuel was threatening to sit out 10 games (after Branch the Pats knew he wasn't bluffing), and Wilson and Gay were coming off injuries. Add to the fact that 2007 was a weak class, and the Pats decided to go for need and roll the bones on Meriweather.

Hey Oswlek, I sincerely hope you're right and I'm dead wrong about Meriweather. Then again this isn't the first time the Pats whiffed on a safety. Guss Scott (3rd, 2004) and Dexter Reid (4th, 2004) were busts. Both are out of the NFL.

 

[sebman2112]

Re: Meriweather dealing with injuries this season?

Ball instincts aren't remedied by good coaching. If you don't have them, you'll likely never will.

I liked James Sanders b/c he displayed good ball instincts in his rookie year, before getting injured.

I watched and re-watched (DV-R) preseason games and Meriweather looked completely lost on pass coverage at both CB and S.

As the season progresses, and his time within the system increases, Meriweather is seeing less and less time with the regular D.

As I said, I was on his bandwagon on draft day. So I looked back to see if I missed something. I did. It turned out that Meriweather regressed in his senior season. That's a red flag for any draft prospect. If he regresses in college, it's not a good sign.

IMO, the Pats got screwed when Seattle pulled several games out of their ***** and the Pats got stuck with the 24th pick. There was a run on DBs in the 1st round, Asante Samuel was threatening to sit out 10 games (after Branch the Pats knew he wasn't bluffing), and Wilson and Gay were coming off injuries. Add to the fact that 2007 was a weak class, and the Pats decided to go for need and roll the bones on Meriweather.

Hey Oswlek, I sincerely hope you're right and I'm dead wrong about Meriweather. Then again this isn't the first time the Pats whiffed on a safety. Guss Scott (3rd, 2004) and Dexter Reid (4th, 2004) were busts. Both are out of the NFL.

I need to correct you on a few things here. Asante Samuel had bad hands when he first came to NE. He would bat balls down, but he couldn't make the pick. During the offseason he's been working with a nurf football, and he claims this has improved his hands, which would seem true as he's now getting those picks.

Meriweather had 91 tackles (while missing a game), held Calvin Johnson in check, won Miami's hard hitter award, and I could go on with other things concerning his 2006 performance. If you're going by Kiper's thoughts on Meriweather, I'd think twice. He was the same guy who told me NE wouldn't draft Maroney.

 

[Oswlek]

Re: Meriweather dealing with injuries this season?

Ball instincts aren't remedied by good coaching. If you don't have them, you'll likely never will.

I liked James Sanders b/c he displayed good ball instincts in his rookie year, before getting injured.

I watched and re-watched (DV-R) preseason games and Meriweather looked completely lost on pass coverage at both CB and S.

As the season progresses, and his time within the system increases, Meriweather is seeing less and less time with the regular D.

As I said, I was on his bandwagon on draft day. So I looked back to see if I missed something. I did. It turned out that Meriweather regressed in his senior season. That's a red flag for any draft prospect. If he regresses in college, it's not a good sign.

IMO, the Pats got screwed when Seattle pulled several games out of their ***** and the Pats got stuck with the 24th pick. There was a run on DBs in the 1st round, Asante Samuel was threatening to sit out 10 games (after Branch the Pats knew he wasn't bluffing), and Wilson and Gay were coming off injuries. Add to the fact that 2007 was a weak class, and the Pats decided to go for need and roll the bones on Meriweather.

Hey Oswlek, I sincerely hope you're right and I'm dead wrong about Meriweather. Then again this isn't the first time the Pats whiffed on a safety. Guss Scott (3rd, 2004) and Dexter Reid (4th, 2004) were busts. Both are out of the NFL.

I am not trying to be "right", I'm just saying that we know very little at this point. It is perfectly reasonable that Meriweather may not amount to much. First round picks flame out all the time. But it is just a reasonable to say:

* Meriweather was overwhelmed by having to learn CB and safety.
* Brandon needs time to get acclimated to the speed of the game.
* The "ball skills" could be a function of thinking rather than reacting due to lack of comfort in the scheme.

Again, I have no idea if Meriweather is going to be a good player. He certainly isn't now. But it is hardly unprecedented for a player to struggle his first year. NE just happens to be deep enough to let him struggle behind the scenes rather than in front of thousands/millions of people.

 

[Brady-To-Branch]

Re: Meriweather dealing with injuries this season?

I need to correct you on a few things here. Asante Samuel had bad hands when he first came to NE. He would bat balls down, but he couldn't make the pick. During the offseason he's been working with a nurf football, and he claims this has improved his hands, which would seem true as he's now getting those picks.

Good hands is not a requirement for good ball instincts. Batting passes down and having near-INTs is a good thing. It shows that he knows where the play is coming, reads the QB, and ability to react to where it is thrown. Samuel, Hobbs, Wilson, Gay, and Sanders have shown this ability in some degree or another. Scott, Reid, and Meriweather have not.

Tackling guys from behind after they've caught a pass is not a good thing. This acurately describes Meriweather's play.

If you're going to bring up Calvin Jackson, then Eric Weedle would have been a better choice. He shut CJ down in that bowl in Boise.

Meriweather had 91 tackles (while missing a game), held Calvin Johnson in check, won Miami's hard hitter award, and I could go on with other things concerning his 2006 performance. If you're going by Kiper's thoughts on Meriweather, I'd think twice. He was the same guy who told me NE wouldn't draft Maroney.

Meriweather can hit hard and wrap people up. He even shows that he can be a terrific gunner on Teams. That's swell for a 4th-7th round pick. But if your a 1st round pick and display no ball instincts you're a bust.

It was obvious that Chris Canty was a bust when he was getting torched by rookie FAs in rookie minicamp.

DBs can be evaluated fairly early.

 

[Brady-To-Branch]

Re: Meriweather dealing with injuries this season?

I am not trying to be "right", I'm just saying that we know very little at this point. It is perfectly reasonable that Meriweather may not amount to much. First round picks flame out all the time. But it is just a reasonable to say:

* Meriweather was overwhelmed by having to learn CB and safety.
* Brandon needs time to get acclimated to the speed of the game.
* The "ball skills" could be a function of thinking rather than reacting due to lack of comfort in the scheme.

Again, I have no idea if Meriweather is going to be a good player. He certainly isn't now. But it is hardly unprecedented for a player to struggle his first year. NE just happens to be deep enough to let him struggle behind the scenes rather than in front of thousands/millions of people.

That's a fair statement.

 

[Remix 6]

Re: Meriweather dealing with injuries this season?

I am not trying to be "right", I'm just saying that we know very little at this point. It is perfectly reasonable that Meriweather may not amount to much. First round picks flame out all the time. But it is just a reasonable to say:

* Meriweather was overwhelmed by having to learn CB and safety.
* Brandon needs time to get acclimated to the speed of the game.
* The "ball skills" could be a function of thinking rather than reacting due to lack of comfort in the scheme.

Again, I have no idea if Meriweather is going to be a good player. He certainly isn't now. But it is hardly unprecedented for a player to struggle his first year. NE just happens to be deep enough to let him struggle behind the scenes rather than in front of thousands/millions of people.

what NFL rookie IS a good a player?

Peterson, Thomas, Willis, Bowe, Johnson, Landry

what DB has stood out? Nelson being part of the worst ranked pass D.
Griffin started last week for first time..but look at the safety he took over for compared to who Meriweather would need to take over.

Hall? Abused..a lot

Revis? Great against run..given up a few big plays against pass

Landry? Hes been playing great..allows Sean Taylor to show his range and thats why their pass D is real good

Ross? Hes got a few picks but didnt start for a while. They have the best pass rush but hes also allowed easy plays..hes better than the other so far though

So there were ..what 7 DBs taken in round 1.
1.5 doing well

rest are average for their teams while their team loses games and suffers from terrible D (Revis, Nelson, Hall)