Does Anyone Else Think it Would be Best if We Left Meriweather at Safety??

[mavfan2390]

I understand he's a versatile guy, and that we have a lack of corners, but I think Meriweather needs space to make plays. He doesn't have the strength to jam WR's at the line, I'm not sold on his deep speed. He has questionable hands.

In the preseason games last season he struggled when he was playing corner, especially against Tampa.

His best feature is his ability to wrap up and tackle, he can read plays and come up in run support.


I just don't think he's meant for corner.

 

[BelichickFan]

I think just about everyone here feels that way. That's what I've gotten from the various threads about it.

 

[skri65]

I don't want him nor do I think he will start the season lined up at corner. He's a safety, in my mind, and will stay there

 

[mmasterkillah]

I think we could develop him into a good corner, but I think he can be a great free safety. I'm not convinced that they want to move him at all just because they lost Asante, doesn't sound like something we'd do.

 

[brady199]

If BB and Capers think it's a good move, then i say lets wait and see what he can do.

It's not like it's Pete Carrol and Tebucky Jones out there.

 

[slash83]

I really hope they leave him at saftey I know he didnt play much last year til late in the season but he really showed some flashes at the saftey position.

 

[Deus Irae]

I say try him at nose tackle. It's all about the versatility.

 

[SeanBruschi54]

If BB and Capers think it's a good move, then i say lets wait and see what he can do.

It's not like it's Pete Carrol and Tebucky Jones out there.

Dear God please dont let anyone bring back the nightmares again.

 

[The Great Fork]

I think we could develop him into a good corner, but I think he can be a great free safety. I'm not convinced that they want to move him at all just because they lost Asante, doesn't sound like something we'd do.

Didn't this story come out after we lost Asante and Gay? Seems like now that they have provided some depth at corner, this thought is going away. I think he's a safety and that's how it should stay.

 

[DW Toys]

I understand he's a versatile guy, and that we have a lack of corners, but I think Meriweather needs space to make plays. He doesn't have the strength to jam WR's at the line, I'm not sold on his deep speed. He has questionable hands.

In the preseason games last season he struggled when he was playing corner, especially against Tampa.

His best feature is his ability to wrap up and tackle, he can read plays and come up in run support.


I just don't think he's meant for corner.

100% agree with you. He should start FS. He is probabaly the best tackling DB other than Rodney.
DW Toys

 

[blackglass3]

I highly doubt it will happen. It's all speculation and (un)educated guessing by people.

 

[Ring 6]

I understand he's a versatile guy, and that we have a lack of corners, but I think Meriweather needs space to make plays. He doesn't have the strength to jam WR's at the line, I'm not sold on his deep speed. He has questionable hands.

In the preseason games last season he struggled when he was playing corner, especially against Tampa.

His best feature is his ability to wrap up and tackle, he can read plays and come up in run support.


I just don't think he's meant for corner.

I am 100% certain that he will be playing the position he is best suited for. BB will not move him to corner if he is better suited to play safety just because of who else is on the roster at corner. Its just not what he does. IMO, BB would think the following way, in the following circumstances.
Assume that Meriwhether is best suited to play safety. Assume that we have better safeties than corners. BB will improve the corner position, either by bringing in players, or coaching up the ones he has rather than taking a guy who belongs at safety and move him to corner.
In that event, you would probably see Meriwhether playing more of a corner type role in the nickel or dime, like Wilson did early in his career and play 3 safeties in those packages, but he would not convert Meritwhether to corner.

All that said, we do not know if BB feels Meriwhether is better suited to play safety or corner. Pre-draft a lot of people felt teams may draft him as a corner. His skills suggest that they may possibly be better suited to play corner than safety, but thats far from certain.
BB knows. In time we will too.

 

[Ring 6]

100% agree with you. He should start FS. He is probabaly the best tackling DB other than Rodney.
DW Toys

Nitpicking, but I see a lot of posters make this mistake. We do not play free safety and strong safety in our system, we have left safety and right safety meaning both of our safeties will play on both the strong and weak(free) side.

 

[Canada's #1 Pats Fan]

I highly doubt it will happen. It's all speculation and (un)educated guessing by people.

Exactly, the only one(s) to predict that this move would happen are some mediots who not even seen the Pats FO let alone stepped into it. It is all heresay and that it is it. Having said that, if BB feels it is in the best interest of the team for this move than who am I to argue. It's not like I am Felger.

 

[Keegs]

I would like the Pats to move Brandon Merriweather to corner, just like how i want them to draft a Tight End early.

It would drive everyone nuts and be funny.

 

[GoWhalers]

Safety or corner, that cat needs to catch the ball...

Although I think they said the same things about Asante his rookie year...

 

[RayClay]

I don't believe there's ever been a plan to do otherwise.

 

[CrazyDave]

O.K., I'll bite.
My opinion is that I don't know enough to have an opinion.
Whether a guy is better suited for cb of safety in BB's defensive scheme , of ILB or OLB for that matter, is something that I just don't know.
That's why THOSE guys are professional coaches.
There are so many things that go into evaluating players abilities, and these guys look at EVERYTHING. You know, straight out speed, closing speed, read and react abilities, instinct, tackling ability, willingness to support the run etc. etc.
Not to sound like a Kool-Aid salesman, but in B.B. I trust.
Wherever he puts him, I'm sure it'll be the best place.

Of course, I'm always willing to debat the Thomas at ILB vs. OLB thing anytime, so go figure. lol

 

[BradyManny]

Nitpicking, but I see a lot of posters make this mistake. We do not play free safety and strong safety in our system, we have left safety and right safety meaning both of our safeties will play on both the strong and weak(free) side.

A differing opinion...

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/showthread.php?t=77078

Remix' post:

"The safeties: The FS and SS have very different roles. FS is the deep cover guy, allowing the SS to come forwards make plays, be it pass rush or TE press coverage, without a gap left in the secondary. Sanders, the FS, should be playing Harrison's role, which makes his play this year more impressive than first thought. But i do wonder how well Sanders could play SS compared to Harrison. Sanders can play in the box against the run well, but i've never really seen him pass rush enough or press cover TE's enough to comment on how well he would do it. BTW, Meriweather screams FS to me. A deep cover guy who has the speed to not get beaten behind him, and who can 'lay the wood' on guys coming over the middle. Eugene Wilson should've been a superstar, but his injuries hampered his deep coverage skills, and eventually made him damaged goods. He won't be back next year. (Sources: General observation, Spush)"

I agree with the above, fits with everything else I've heard and seen in my own observations. Pats employ cover 3, FS is the deep guy, SS can come in the box or cover TEs. Meriweather is the ideal FS, Sanders was playing out of position most of the season. Thats why Meriweather started the SB and will likely continue to start at FS.

 

[ALP]

we defenetely DO have an SS and an FS....

SS is the playmaker who either helps with the run, takes a slot wr or a TE, or blitzes the QB

the FS for 95% of the time, just takes his zone....

we need a playmaker at SS now that rodney is getting older and more and more innefective....hopefully Sanders can be that guy

but each position has a very defined role in the pats scheme