Safety Rotation

I haven't seen a lot of talk about who is getting the most reps next to McCourty or with the 2s.
Can someone who has been to camp give some insight into who is getting reps, and opinion on how they are looking?

AndyJohnson said:

I haven't seen a lot of talk about who is getting the most reps next to McCourty or with the 2s.
Can someone who has been to camp give some insight into who is getting reps, and opinion on how they are looking?

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Looks like harmon projects as the starter alongside mccourty, although I don't know how many reps he's getting. This safety spot could be the potential weak link in an otherwise strong secondary - I hope not but we'll have to see.

Duron Harmon playing with more confidence | Boston Herald

When I was there Harmon seemed first out the gates but Wilson, Chung, and even Ebner seem to be getting their share of reps with the 1s. Seems to be very much open comp.

signbabybrady said:

When I was there Harmon seemed first out the gates but Wilson, Chung, and even Ebner seem to be getting their share of reps with the 1s. Seems to be very much open comp.

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Please BB put Harmon, the next Ed Reed, out there.

varjao said:

Please BB put Harmon, the next Ed Reed, out there.

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Do you think he's that good? Harmon is a strong safety, reed is a free safety.

According to the PFW guys everyone gets a large burst of snaps, so one day you say "Chung." Lately it was Ebner, but averaged over all of camp it has been about even.

Yes, the seeming lack of a plan is disturbing.

The Debbie Downers on PFW in Progress spent the entire last podcast ranting about how the number of players being rotated through the safety position is the end of the world and means the Pats defense will be a disaster. Honestly, they need to get new PFW guys. It's the first week of training camp. The whole idea is to give all the players reps so you can figure you who to cut. I can't imagine why Belichick would be concerned with naming a second starter at safety before the first preseason game.

What if you have injuries during the 16 game season and need to bring someone off the bench? Wouldn't you want them to have gotten some reps in camp?

I just scratch my head trying to figure out how guys look at this stuff.

Harmon looks like an easy, safe choice that can be subbed for situationally. I would bet he starts the season next to McCourty.

From what I've read, haven't been there, Harmon seems to be getting the most reps, but EVERYONE has literally gotten reps next to McCourty, even Ebner. It sounds like Chung hasn't been half bad with some high praise for Wilson as well.

Sounds like Harmon is doing what he's supposed to do, not much chatter about him, usually a good sign.

Ebner...heh...a great special teams player...safety?...not so much...really. I mean I hope I NEVER see him in our secondary starting with McCourty

I think there's little doubt it's Harmon. They have to look at all the Safties though for roles and who'll even make the team.

BelichickFan said:

I think there's little doubt it's Harmon. They have to look at all the Safties though for roles and who'll even make the team.

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There's plenty of doubt it's Harmon. He hasn't really gotten more run with the 1st team than anyone else.

Marqui said:

There's plenty of doubt it's Harmon. He hasn't really gotten more run with the 1st team than anyone else.

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I don't think there is. We'll see in 4-5 weeks.

From what I saw at practice on Thursday, I'd say nothing has been decided. It's a competitive situation with five weeks to go before the real games start. Nothing wrong with that ...

Unofficial Depth Chart says DMC/Harmon, shouldn't be a surprise, but obviously this is before any football has been played.

strngplyr said:

Unofficial Depth Chart says DMC/Harmon, shouldn't be a surprise, but obviously this is before any football has been played.

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I don't think a guy like Duron Harmon was going to be handed the job on a silver platter in only his 2nd year here, but if he can't beat out Patrick Chung, something is wrong.

lurker1965 said:

According to the PFW guys everyone gets a large burst of snaps, so one day you say "Chung." Lately it was Ebner, but averaged over all of camp it has been about even.

Yes, the seeming lack of a plan is disturbing.

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I would see that description as training camp being an open competition for the starting position, rather than it being a lack of planning.

Is it really such a bad thing that the starting roster has not yet been determined?

jmt57 said:

I would see that description as training camp being an open competition for the starting position, rather than it being a lack of planning.

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I agree. I don't see anything regarding a "lack of planning." I'm sure Belichick didn't just suddenly forget about the other safety spot.

Now, I can understand those who may question the fact that it wasn't addressed with better talent, although I think that the hope is that Harmon can be the guy, and has been the whole time since last season.

We may not all agree on what the plan is, but there's obviously one in place.

This could be the weak link in the PATS defense. Tom recently said how offenses look for
the weak link and attack it.
When the first unit practices the starters Revis, Browner and McC are there. But the second
safety changes a lot from what I've read.
To me that means PATS are not sure who will be next to McC. If the starter was
known, I don't believe you would see the rotation as much as it is. Having your starters playing
with each other as much as possible would seem to be a higher priority than testing other guys.
Isn't the Second team for testing your backups and rotation guys.

My money, barring injury, is on Harmon as the Week 1 starter.