We call can agree that Belichick will try varied sets to take advantage of the skills of this year's defensive backs. Having Revis and Browner will be awesome.
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You struggle mightily to find away to bench Arrington as our nickel back. IMHO, either Dennard or Ryan will beat him out for reps or they won't. And yes, either Dennard or Ryan will beat out Browner for reps as an outside CB or he won't.
There are three key decisions that will not have to happen until after Game 4.
ONE: Who is our starting safety for the season and the playoffs?
Have a corner playing there if you wish, but we do start two players that we label as a safety
TWO: Who is our #2 outside corner for the season and the playoffs?
Browner? Ryan? Dennard? Let the competition begin.
THREE: Who is our nickel back (inside corner, slot corner) for the season and the playoffs?
We will have better coverage from whatever linebacker(s) are on the field. But the issue of chossing an inside corner is real. Belichick likes Arrington and pays him well. Of course, Arrington is no good as an outside corner, or as a DE either, as if that matters.
You want to play Browner inside. I think that is NOT what he was brought her to do. Last month, posters had Browner playing safety. This month it is nickel. IMHO, in October, it will be outside CB.
SIDE ISSUE - DIME BACK AND BACKUP SAFETIES
Seven defensive backs get almost all the reps (4 CB, 2S, 1 DB). The five you list plus Harmon and Arrington are the seven, barring injuries. Arrington and Harmon are the backups in your scenario. So, we have seven locks comprising the best defensive backfield we've had in several years. We could even be better by adding a veteran like Thomas to the seven.
However, for ME, given the likelihood of injuries at this position and the fact that we start with someone on suspension, the #8 defensive back is an important position. We also seem to have 1-2 STOP who are listed as safeties (our #9 and #10 DB).
The most likely #8-#10 DB's at this point seem to be Chung, Wilson, and Ebner (or perhaps Thomas).
Belichick will certainly be watching the waiver wires. Thomas seems a fine choice.
As I said my belief is that when Browner returns in week 5 he will be inserted to replace the weakest link in the secondary. I believe he offers the versatility to play CB or SAF and that was part of the appeal for Belichick signing him. As far covering tight ends, I am in agreement that one of his primary roles will be in coverage against the opponents #1 TE.
It is feasible that the Patriots put Revis, McCourty, Browner, Dennard, and Ryan all on the field together and then -
-Revis covers the #1 WR
-Browner covers the #1 TE
-Dennard covers the #2 or #3 WR
-Ryan covers the #2 or #3 WR
-McCourty plays centerfield
This is how I see things looking, in which case Browner aligning in the box on the strong side would make sees because he could pick up the TE in coverage and also use his size and physical presence in the run game.
Other times Ryan and McCourty could both drop into deep safety and Revis could take the #1 WR, Browner could take the #2 WR or #1 TE (depending on teams scheme) and Dennard could take the opponents #2 WR or move inside to cover a slot WR.
I do not see the secondary aligning in any one way, heck McCourty is probably as good a CB as anyone on the team not named Revis, so they could stunt and drop him into man coverage at times as well.
