The Secondary

We seem set for 2014, awaiting the contract negotiations of McCourty and Revis. We have a core of 7 plus a special teamer. That is actually a bit THIN, since Browner won't be there for 4 games.

LOCKS
CB: Revis, Dennard, Arrington, Browner
S : McCourty, Harmon, Ryan
ST: Ebner

WE WILL LIKELY CARRY 2 MORE
(and we will get another to replace Browner for the 1st four weeks)

Wilson
Chung
Thomas
Green
Davis
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It seems that we need a 5th corner and a S/Ster. None of these guys are safe. With a good camp, any of these could make the 53. As is always the case, a free agent could take one of these spots.

Even with Browner out for the first 4 weeks I'm not really worried. We haven't tried Ryan at S yet, so let's wait and see how he does there if he plays there more than in practice. For the first 4 weeks we could go with Revis and Dennard on the outside and Arrington or Ryan in the slot. Dmac and Harmon as safeties. I have no real problem with that line up. If one of the corners go down we could put in Ryan at all spots.

I think when everyone is healthy/active, you're going to have things break down like this:

S: McCourty
Outside CB: Revis, Dennard/Browner (matchup specific)
Slot CB: Arrington/Dennard (matchup specific)
DB Specialists: Harmon, Ryan, Browner, Chung, Wilson, etc

Essentially, if the front seven is healthy, meaning you SHOULD be getting more pressure with your DL and SHOULD be getting better coverage out of your linebackers, combined with Revis and Browner/Dennard locking down the outside guys, the need for two 99% snap starting safeties (or even two deep safeties at all) is minimized. McCourty plays center field, that's his role. The other "safety" position is manned by whoever the matchup and situation favors:

Browner plays "safety" when they need to cover a big tight end.
Harmon plays safety when they need to deep guys over the top.
Ryan plays safety when you want more coverage in the short zones.
Chung plays safety when you want more run support.

Etc, etc. I think we're going to see a more nebulous backfield this year, it's going to be harder to really differentiate between corners and safeties, with the exception of Revis and McCourty who's roles should be more defined (because they're both excellent at them).

Browner will be lined up at corner for 95% of the snaps when his suspension is over.

AndyJohnson said:

Browner will be lined up at corner for 95% of the snaps when his suspension is over.

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Which is kind of why I put safety in quotes for him. I try not to think of it positionally, but more based on responsibility. I can see scenarios where McCourty is the only true safety on the field. Browner would be the "safety" only because he's the closest thing to it on the field otherwise.

I don't expect Ebner is a "lock" (though I personally really like him).

Also, I've little doubt (sadly) that Chung beats out Tavon.

Browner is not and will not be a Safety.

A thread about the secondary seems an appropriate place for this, against the Lions how would you rather see the team line up:

A) Golden Tate takes a trip to Revis island and Megatron gets Browner w/ McCourty over the top.
B) Megatron takes a trip to Revis island (possible Safety help too?) and Dennard covers Golden Tate, Browner takes one of Ebron/Pettigrew.

Big-T said:

A thread about the secondary seems an appropriate place for this, against the Lions how would you rather see the team line up:

A) Golden Tate takes a trip to Revis island and Megatron gets Browner w/ McCourty over the top.
B) Megatron takes a trip to Revis island (possible Safety help too?) and Dennard covers Golden Tate, Browner takes one of Ebron/Pettigrew.

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Revis has shutdown Megatron before, so I go with that matchup again because I think Megatron is too fast for Browner.

If Ryan can't play safety, then we should worry about safety for the first 4th weeks, and for the rest of the season.

I think that Belichick is more than "trying" Ryan at safety. If he cannot play safety, we need to move someone else, maybe Arrington. Or perhaps you would like Chung or Wilson as you safety splitting reps with Harmon.

Marinlik said:

Even with Browner out for the first 4 weeks I'm not really worried. We haven't tried Ryan at S yet, so let's wait and see how he does there if he plays there more than in practice. For the first 4 weeks we could go with Revis and Dennard on the outside and Arrington or Ryan in the slot. Dmac and Harmon as safeties. I have no real problem with that line up. If one of the corners go down we could put in Ryan at all spots.

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mgteich said:

I think that Belichick is more than "trying" Ryan at safety. If he cannot play safety, we need to move someone else, maybe Arrington. Or perhaps you would like Chung or Wilson as you safety splitting reps with Harmon.

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Chung SUCKS!

ATippett56 said:

Chung SUCKS!

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That is not a plan.

The obvious conclusion is that a corner WILL move to safety, and that Chung is competing with Tavon WIlson for a ST position. I suggest that this is a relatively fair fight.

i LOVE having revis and mccourty together....two pro bowl/all pro players in same secondary....im really curious about browner, as he is gonna be 30 and hes not the shiftiest guy to begin with....the other guys are ok

If Collins can continue to improve in his coverage - he will take many TE's. If he needs Safety help - here comes Ryan. Ryan could also be used in a FS role - just in a smaller zone with McCourty on the field. He can provide Safety help underneath knowing deep is covered by McCourty. I don't know how it will work out or what the plans are, but Ryan is a good ball hawk - and I think that is the skill they need to exploit - considering he continues to develop. No doubt this will be one athletic D - and pretty young to boot. I am excited to see this D in action. Here's to a season of good health.

james87654 said:

i LOVE having revis and mccourty together....two pro bowl/all pro players in same secondary....im really curious about browner, as he is gonna be 30 and hes not the shiftiest guy to begin with....the other guys are ok

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Browner's game doesn't rely on being shifty, it's more beat the snot out of the receiver at the LOS and if he still gets the ball heading his way, beat him some more.

Trade for Eric Berry.

I like our corps of 8 defensive backs (7 position player plus a Ster). Green should also be on the squad for the first four weeks. We seem to need an 9th who can actually play defensive back in an emergency and perhaps a 10th who is a STer player.

I'm a bit nervous about our 8th position defensive back. Perhaps, Green is in play for this position. Thomas could be. Chung could be. WIlson could be. Are you all comfortable with any of them in this position?

VrabelJr said:

Browner is not and will not be a Safety.

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Excellent declarative sentence.

mgteich said:

I like our corps of 8 defensive backs (7 position player plus a Ster). Green should also be on the squad for the first four weeks. We seem to need an 9th who can actually play defensive back in an emergency and perhaps a 10th who is a STer player.

I'm a bit nervous about our 8th position defensive back. Perhaps, Green is in play for this position. Thomas could be. Chung could be. WIlson could be. Are you all comfortable with any of them in this position?

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I'm comfortable with being uncomfortable about their 8th DB. Now TE and LB are another matter altogether..........both units need to be addressed with some good players before they hit camp.

PatriotReign said:

Trade for Eric Berry.

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They have to redo Revis and pay McCourty, no way do they add another big contract to that secondary.