Safety
 

There seems little excitement here about drafting a safety in the first 3 rounds to groom for 2012. Some have projected a safety later or a corner to be moved to safety. As of now, I tend to agree.

I expect that we will re-sign/extend either Meriweather or Sanders after this season. If this happens (as seems likely), and we bring in usual veteran free agent as a backup each year, there seems to be no pressing need at safety.

STARTERS Meriweather, Chung, Sanders
(pro-bowler, future pro-bowler, defensive signal caller and Belichick favorite)

VET BACKUP Page, McGowan or a free agent TBD

STers Lockett, Brown, Barrett

Obviously, as Arrington did in 2010, one of the STers could step up for some reps as a position safety.

Re: Safety
 

There aren't a lot of Safeties worth a second or third round pick, there are a couple CBs whom I'd be interested in for FS.

Re: Safety
 

In case it hasn't been previously noted here, Barrett, who was RFA I believe, was signed through 2012 this week.

Re: Safety
 

Cant see them drafting a safety this year with the subpar class. Only guy I really like is Dowling.

They have so many safeties already. Meriweather, Chung, Sanders, Brown, Barrett. Page or McGowan could be back too, and Lockett was on IR last year.

Too many other needs to go safety.

Personally, I'd shop around the Big Bang Clock. Someone will give you something good for him after coming off back to back "Pro Bowls." Sell high while you can b.c he's not the long term answer at FS

Re: Safety
 

What do you think we could get for Meriweather?

I think he's good, not great, and doesn't seem to be the long-term answer. We'd lose a bit with Sanders back there, but if we can re-sign McGowan and/or Page, that's a pretty solid group with some young kids in Brown and Barrett.

I'm sure we won't get more than a 3rd for Meriweather under normal circumstances. At the same time though, with such a weak draft class for safeties, could we get more? Do you think some team would be willing to give up a late 2nd? Is that crazy thinking?

Re: Safety
 

I don't see us re-signing McGowan. Chung has already surpassed him.

WRT a Meriweather trade, I don't see a huge market competition for his services at FS.

DEN? -- Dawkins is old and expensive, but they have McBath. Maybe for vet depth.
BUF? -- George Wilson(FA), Jarius Byrd. Doubtful.
CLE? -- They have Elam (FA), Ray Ventrone and Piscitelli. So, maybe.
SF? -- Goldson (FA), CJ Spillman. Possibly.
DAL? -- Alan Ball (FA), Danny McCray. Possibly.
HOU? -- Just let go of Eugene Wilson, but they like Tom Nolan.
OAK? -- Michael Huff(FA), Hiram Eugene (FA), Stevie Brown[rk]. Possibly.

So, that's six teams and it might be stretching it for a couple of those. I don't really see any other teams in dire need. Any pick we get seems likely to be a 2012, possibly even conditional. We might not be offered much more than we'd get for him as a compensatory pick in 2013 (3rd or 4th, contingent on a lot of other factors).

Re: Safety
 

One could make a similar assessment of each position (with Mankins franchised and Light likely to re-sign). Not saying I agree, but that contention could be made. So the question for this draft is less about filling needs than it is about upgrading the roster. So for safety, are there any candidates that would be an upgrade (immediate or very short-term) over those currently on the roster.

My take? If Rahim Moore's tackling and Deunta Williams' health check out, I would strongly consider taking them and either bouncing Sanders (immediate upgrade) or trading Meriweather (roster management if not willing to re-sign him). Moore may take #33 but Williams may slide precipitously due to a poor senior season (mostly not his fault) and a nasty injury.

Re: Safety
 

Good thinking.

Moore and Williams are about the only two guys I'd go for...As of the moment, I'm inclined to see how Stomper does under Patricia, because he's only had the one year at Free Safety, and because he's going into a contract year...and because I don't like this Free Safety class very much.

If he evolves, we can sign him to a long term deal OR Franchise him and move him at a REALLY high price.

I actually think most Patriot fans underestimate his Value on the Trade Market: I think we can pick up a 2nd Rounder and change for him...perhaps more.

And if we ride with'm, and trade'm a year, hence?? Consecutive 2nd Rounders, is my sense, AND change!! And perhaps scoop up Kenny Tate with one'f'm.

Re: Safety
 

Thanks for the dose of reality. Depressing, but much needed. Unless of course we can get crazy Al to make a bid so he could make Meriweather the highest-paid safety in the league.

I'd rather have Page than McGowan, but I wouldn't be opposed to both if this trade happened. I like the idea of re-signing McGowan if we traded Meriweather because he was pretty good in coverage on TEs, and with Sanders filling the FS spot, there would be a role for McGowan. Plus I think (hope?) he would be cheap coming back from his injury.

Re: Safety
 

Interesting, one might make the argument athletically for an upgrade over Sanders, yet I fail to see an upgrade for the more challenging mental aspects of the position. One could make a case for Chung showing a fair grasp of this role, but I do not believe he's yet a match for Sanders as a Field General ... I don't think it necessary to dwell on Meriweather's performance. Adding another youngster is fine, but I think from an organizational perspective it falls well short of an upgrade (especially when I think back upon Moore's performance in the games I observed).

Tangentially: Bodden returns and pairs with Sanders in the veteran role and McCourty in the coverage assignment. Should NE elect to draft another young CB to develop and compete with Butler, Arrington, and Wilhite, one possible future might see Meriweather gone in Free Agency, Bodden moved to FS, and one of the youngsters teamed with McCourty.