Fencer
Pro Bowl Player
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- Oct 2, 2006
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http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/...wn_seizing_control_of_starting_cornerback_job
The article is actually about Tarell Brown, but other points get made as well.
I think the signs are in favor of a 3-safety nickel, simply because that's where the healthy talent is concentrated. I mean this in the sense of a classic nickel, with 6 "Front 7" players and 5 DBs on a passing down. McCourty has lined up in a kind of CB role on passing downs frequently in recent seasons anyway, so as to more easily fit him and Harmon onto the field at the same time.
I wouldn't necessarily suggest that there will be much Big Nickel in the sense of a SS playing LB on what is otherwise a base defense, just because we have three highly paid LBs who, if healthy -- not that durability is their long suit -- should all be on the field whenever it makes sense for them to be. To look at it another way, the top hybrid SS/LB these days is Collins, not a DB.
The article is actually about Tarell Brown, but other points get made as well.
Brown made an impressive surge over the past week to seize control of the No. 2 cornerback job, and it’s his to lose after Darryl Roberts’ troublesome wrist injury and Logan Ryan’s recent struggles.
It’s unclear just how the Patriots plan to use safety Devin McCourty on a fulltime basis this season, but recent reps clearly suggest he’ll have some type of role close to the line. If that becomes permanent, consider Brown the nickel back, which is essentially a starting job in today’s game anyway. Otherwise, with McCourty deep, Brown and Malcolm Butler are the starting corners in the base defense at this point.
I think the signs are in favor of a 3-safety nickel, simply because that's where the healthy talent is concentrated. I mean this in the sense of a classic nickel, with 6 "Front 7" players and 5 DBs on a passing down. McCourty has lined up in a kind of CB role on passing downs frequently in recent seasons anyway, so as to more easily fit him and Harmon onto the field at the same time.
I wouldn't necessarily suggest that there will be much Big Nickel in the sense of a SS playing LB on what is otherwise a base defense, just because we have three highly paid LBs who, if healthy -- not that durability is their long suit -- should all be on the field whenever it makes sense for them to be. To look at it another way, the top hybrid SS/LB these days is Collins, not a DB.