Barrett was "atrocious"? That is just an arbitrary comment. IIRC in the few games he played, he did quite well. The problem being it was once again just a few games.
I agree that I hedigbu is a better special teams player than a safety, though I though he did a yeoman's job last season playing hurt. Also your comment on Brown was spot on. I even think your comment on the Pats keeping 4 safeties and 5 CBs. is the way it will end up
But let me make a case for Josh Barrett over everyone's newest favorite binky (which is probably redundant, but its late). Barrett is the only one of the Safeties who has legitimate SS size. There will be times where having a true SS type will be valuable. I love what I'm hear about Ebert, BUT even though he looks like he isn't lost at the safety position, he STILL only played the position 3 snaps in an entire college career.
I really think he would be better served if he started the year on the PS and gets a few thousand looks as a scout team S. He could come back next season with some real-time experience at the position. and ready to compete for a spot in the S rotation.. And who knows, with Barrett's history he could end up being on the roster for most of the season.
You know I love you, Mayo, but I thought your remark on Barrett was a little capricious.
I am NOT a Barrett fan, as I've made very clear in numerous posts. What I recall seeing of his play last year did not impress me, and I used the "atrocious" word deliberately. He has nice straight line speed but he looks lost in space, and I never saw any signs of instincts or of being in the right place. One of my major desires this year has been to see someone supplant Barrett as the #4 safety - and no, not Brown or Ihedigbo. That's left Ebner or Jeff Tarpinian as a S/LB convert as my two options, and I'll be thrilled if Ebner can progress rapidly enough to take the job. It's only practice reports, but he's shown more awareness, playmaking ability and ball skills in the past 3 weeks than I've seen out of Barrett, Tarpinian, Ihedigbo, Brown and the others in the last 2 years.
As for your argument that Barrett is the only guy who has "legitimate SS size", I off the the following thoughts:
1. I'm not sure what a "legitimate SS" is in the NFL anymore. Sure, it's important to have the size and physicality to play in the box, but we're not talking about a Louis Oliver or John Lynch kind of guy anymore. BB's had 5'11" 206# Tavon Wilson playing a hybrid S/LB role this year, and Wilson was known for his tackling and run support. Being able to play in the box and support the run is a huge asset, but not at the expense of coverage ability.
2. I'm not sure why Ebner can't play as a "legitimate SS" at times. Ebner is somewhere around 6' and 202-210#. Mark Barron is around 6'1" 213#. Pat Chung is around 6'11" 210#. Not a big size difference, and from what I've seen Ebner has plenty of physicality to play SS - from what I've seen he's more physical than Barrett.
As for Ebner spending a year on the PS, some thoughts:
1. Given how quickly he seems to be progressing having really never played the position, will it really take a year before Ebner can contribute? Ebner's shown a lot more awareness and ability to be in the right place than guys like Sergio Brown, who have been playing the position much longer.
2. It's a big risk as to whether he will make it to the PS, or stay there for a season. Is it worth it, especially for guys like Barrett/Brown/Ihedigbo, who are marginal at best? Barrett turns 28 this year, and he has played in all of 5 games in the last 2 years. He's started all of 7 in a 4 year career. And he's been outplayed by Ebner in camp this year, by a fair margin. Do you really expect him to make the jump at this point in his career, much less be able to stay on the field? If the Pats are going to consider risking losing Ebner by trying to sneak him to the PS, I'd rather it be for someone that I have confidence will be an immediate contributor. I don't have that confidence in any of the other guys on the roster bubble right now.
3. IF the Pats are going to risk trying to sneak Ebner to the PS (and I pray they don't try), they are better off doing so after final roster putdowns, when teams are looking to fill out the back end of their rosters. Someone will snap him up. They'll have a better chance during the season, when teams will be looking for immediate help.
You can keep Josh Barrett, my friend.
