Belichick on Meriweather...

[patsox23]

“He’s improved through the course of the year and there’s still a lot of things he needs to work on,” Belichick said, “but I think he gives us good depth at the position. I’d like to see him catch the ball a little better, but . . . he’s around it and I think he’s making progress.”

Meriweather was asked about his coach’s remarks.

“I have a lot to improve on. I’m still learning how to be a pro and do all the little things right,” he said. “I’m still not even close to where the program wants me to be or where I want to be as a player. For coach to say something like that I have to just take it in stride. I’m happy he feels like I’m improving, but I have a lot of work to do.”

When did the light go on? When did he have his eureka moment?

“I wouldn’t say it was a eureka moment. I felt like it was something I should have been doing sooner, to be honest with you,” he said. “But it was me being young and not understanding how important certain things are. But thanks to the coaching staff we’ve got, I’m learning how to be a pro and how to be a player.”



Good to hear Meriweather acknowledge whatever maturity issues he's trying to overcome. If he can develop into a good, solid player - James Sanders redux+ - that'll go a long way toward stabilizing our secondary as the future comes. Wish to Hell he could show real flashes at CB, but he doesn't appear capable of starting at that position in the NFL.

 

[DarrylS]

This is a complicated D system, and our players in the D backfield play a lot of different roles, much rather have him out there comfortable with the system and its expectations.. than having him out there as a showcase 1st round rookie.

 

[Flying Fungi]

whats so complicated about a D that Kyle and AJ tore up hitting receivers wide open in the middle:bricks:

you are indeed a terrible troll--or have you been hitting the shirley temples again?


if you want to have a football discussion on this website, you're going to have to bring at least some football knowledge

as to Kyle and AJ--they sure provided the blueprint didn't they--if only Eli was as good as either of them--and if only the blueprint resulted in a Win...

but yep--the Patriots Defense is so simple and that New England may end up with worse than the #1 Defense this season--they may end up winning fewer than 16 regular season games too!

 

[Patriot_in_NY]

you are indeed a terrible troll--or have you been hitting the shirley temples again?

Haven't you read? The Giants are resting their starting trolls for the post-season. :singing:

Indeed, it's disappointing for sure, but what can you do. Simply the worst trolls of the season.

 

[hughthehand]

I know there was some talk of Meriweather at CB, but I really like the way he lays the wood playing safety.

As for comparing him to Sanders, IMO Meriweather has way better quickness and speed. Sanders is a better tackler at this point, and clearly understands our Defense a lot better. Hopefully those are things Meriweather can improve on. From a pure Talent standpoint, Meriweather wins hands down.

At this point it seems doubtful that Wilson is going to be back, so this kid is going to get to show his stuff next year in a rotation with Sanders and Harrison. I am really hopeful this kid is going to special, not just solid, and I think we will know one way or the other towards the end of next season.

 

[Wretch]

At this point it seems doubtful that Wilson is going to be back, so this kid is going to get to show his stuff next year in a rotation with Sanders and Harrison. I am really hopeful this kid is going to special, not just solid, and I think we will know one way or the other towards the end of next season.

Just thinking out loud here but if Wilson is back could he move back to corner?

 

[hughthehand]

Wretch, not to be overly negative, but IMO Wilson has regressed as a player. I just do not see the Patriots re-signing someone headed in the wrong direction.

Maybe the injuries have been the cause of his issues, but Geno has been basically a no-show for the better part of the last 3 seasons.

 

[spacecrime]

Just thinking out loud here but if Wilson is back could he move back to corner?

Back to corner? He played like one game at CB, and has been a safety/nickel since week 2 of 2001.

 

[RayClay]

“He’s improved through the course of the year and there’s still a lot of things he needs to work on,” Belichick said, “but I think he gives us good depth at the position. I’d like to see him catch the ball a little better, but . . . he’s around it and I think he’s making progress.”

Meriweather was asked about his coach’s remarks.

“I have a lot to improve on. I’m still learning how to be a pro and do all the little things right,” he said. “I’m still not even close to where the program wants me to be or where I want to be as a player. For coach to say something like that I have to just take it in stride. I’m happy he feels like I’m improving, but I have a lot of work to do.”

When did the light go on? When did he have his eureka moment?

“I wouldn’t say it was a eureka moment. I felt like it was something I should have been doing sooner, to be honest with you,” he said. “But it was me being young and not understanding how important certain things are. But thanks to the coaching staff we’ve got, I’m learning how to be a pro and how to be a player.”



Good to hear Meriweather acknowledge whatever maturity issues he's trying to overcome. If he can develop into a good, solid player - James Sanders redux+ - that'll go a long way toward stabilizing our secondary as the future comes. Wish to Hell he could show real flashes at CB, but he doesn't appear capable of starting at that position in the NFL.

If he was a starting cornerback, he would have played there in college (not here and there). He's a safety.

 

[RayClay]

Back to corner? He played like one game at CB, and has been a safety/nickel since week 2 of 2001.

He was a consensus low first rounder who played exclusively at corner in college (as far as I know).

I don't see how the phrase "back to corner" is unwarranted, since we traded up to draft him there.

Wretch, not to be overly negative, but IMO Wilson has regressed as a player. I just do not see the Patriots re-signing someone headed in the wrong direction.

Maybe the injuries have been the cause of his issues, but Geno has been basically a no-show for the better part of the last 3 seasons.

Can't really argue with this assessment, however. I'm sure BB has an evaluations and a number, if he wants him back at all.

 

[Wretch]

Back to corner? He played like one game at CB, and has been a safety/nickel since week 2 of 2001.

Like I said I was just thinking out loud.

I think it is unlikely that Wilson comes back, but the PAts have some depth at safety. If the Pats do keep him around why wouldn't they use him as a nickel corner.

Asante is likely gone after this year and Gay is an UFA, if memory serves correctly. Depth at corner could become an issue big issue in the off season.

I think it is unlikely that other teams make a run at Wilson for serious money. Who in the FA mid-range FA market is better? This is an honest question I don't track FAs that closely. Who are the available FAs for corners?

 

[mgteich]

These assessents sound like the ones made of Richardson in preseason. We, perhaps unreasonabley so, expected that Meriweather would be further along by now. I guess better comparisons are other first roundg safeties like Griffin.
It seems we have fine prospect.

 

[Oswlek]

These assessents sound like the ones made of Richardson in preseason. We, perhaps unreasonabley so, expected that Meriweather would be further along by now. I guess better comparisons are other first roundg safeties like Griffin.
It seems we have fine prospect.

I don't think it is unreasonable to have expected more. It sounds like the player and coaches alike expected more from Brandon.

What is unreasonable is judging his entire career based on the small sample of games so far.

 

[mgcolby]

If we can get at least one more high quality season out of Rodney, I think we will have a hell of a tandem at safety with Sanders and Merriweather. Sanders has made huge strides over the past year, he should be a solid SS for the forseable future. Merriweather has had his moments where he let us see his potential, now we will have to wait and see if he can turn that into consistent play.

 

[ClevTrev]

Meriweather's going to be one hell of a pro player. He's in an environment that's pointed him in the right direction and he's acknowledged his shortcomings. That's the whole battle, as any player who thinks they have all the answers and never becomes humble and develops the humility to learn and grow, never develops into the complete player the team really needs.

Forget CB, Meriweather is a safety who can excel in pass coverage, and after another year of off season conditioning will show he can bring the lumber as well.

Some have mentioned the need at CB with the probability of Samuel leaving, Richardson will have the same benefit in getting his body ready for the rigors of a full season at CB by off season work and training camp. This kid is going to help, and my guess is that there will be other CB candidates via draft or signings to add depth.

 

[Oswlek]

He was a consensus low first rounder who played exclusively at corner in college (as far as I know).

I don't see how the phrase "back to corner" is unwarranted, since we traded up to draft him there.

Once a player is in his 5th year in the NFL, what position he played in college and what round he was drafted in are no longer relevent.

Wilson is a safety.

 

[BionicPatriot]

Belichick is such a moron. at least thats what a few naysayers at Patsfans.com must think, because Merriweather sucks so bad.

 

[fnordcircle]

He was a consensus low first rounder who played exclusively at corner in college (as far as I know).

I don't see how the phrase "back to corner" is unwarranted, since we traded up to draft him there.

Every year with the Wilson to play Corner stuff...

It's been 6 years since Wilson has played corner and he has never done it in the NFL. All of his practicing, technique, focus and training in the pros have been for playing safety. That stuff doesn't just change overnight or after one training camp.

Think about all the lukewarm bodies the Patriots have trotted out to play CB instead of moving over Eugene Wilson.

The next time you think about playing Wilson at corner just remember two words: Earthwind Moreland.

 

[tombonneau]

Every year with the Wilson to play Corner stuff...

It's been 6 years since Wilson has played corner and he has never done it in the NFL. All of his practicing, technique, focus and training in the pros have been for playing safety. That stuff doesn't just change overnight or after one training camp.

Think about all the lukewarm bodies the Patriots have trotted out to play CB instead of moving over Eugene Wilson.

The next time you think about playing Wilson at corner just remember two words: Earthwind Moreland.

Right on. It's not like the Pats have taken vet WRs and used them as nickel backs or anything wacky like that. Why on earth would they move a safety who was drafted as a CB and forced into playing S his rookie year back to CB? That's crazy talk.

/sarcasm

Also, I think not moving Wilson back to corner had more to do with:

A) He was injured for a lot of the secondary crises; and

B) When not hurt, he was THE STARTING SAFETY; moving him to CB would have weakened the team at two positions vs. one.

 

[Oswlek]

Right on. It's not like the Pats have taken vet WRs and used them as nickel backs or anything wacky like that. Why on earth would they move a safety who was drafted as a CB and forced into playing S his rookie year back to CB? That's crazy talk.

/sarcasm

Also, I think not moving Wilson back to corner had more to do with:

A) He was injured for a lot of the secondary crises; and

B) When not hurt, he was THE STARTING SAFETY; moving him to CB would have weakened the team at two positions vs. one.

BB and DP made their position clear when they decided this TC to exclusively play Wilson at safety, even going so far as to admit that using Wilson at CB in prior PSs was a mistake.

Wilson is a safety. That is all he will ever be for the NE Patriots.