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CLICK HERE to Register for a free account and login for a smoother ad-free experience. It's easy, and only takes a few moments.I would rather see him at DB. I did not think he was that good at Safety, not to mention it's way too late at this point of the game to risk a new position with Playoffs around the corner.
I don't know they seemed to play much better when they made the switch.. Some of that was on fitzpatrick under throwing his long balls. But after the first 3 scoring drives by the bills, the defense played better over all. It cant get that much worse..
It's hard to pin point McCourty's slump this season. Injuries have been a factor I'm sure. His inability to play man has been tough to watch this season as well as not turning his head to find the ball. I'm wondering if this can be fixed or not? He certainly had the instincts last year so I'd assume they just don't go away.
He looked great today at safety with the exception of a couple of plays. When he can keep the receiver in front of him he's a stud. Interesting scenario playing out here. Wonder if it continues?
I'd rather hold out hope on him regaining last year's form or finding a FS that he works better with. A bonafide #1 CB is much more valuable to us IMO. Plus Moore also looks good.
A ball hawking safety is not only what this team needs, but it's something that can make an average defense look good. McCourty plays better when the game is played in front of him so he's perfectly suited to play that role on the team.
Next season it should work out better because you get Dowling back who is built like a #1 CB, but for the playoffs this year if Arrington and whoever plays on the other side, be it Molden or Moore - if they can just keep their receivers in check and not give them easy catches, the improvement at safety with McCourty & Chung instead of Dig & Brown will make the defense look a lot better than it has done all season, and today showed (after the first quarter) they can be dominant (albeit against the Bills)
Really, McCourty has played a lot better overall than people give him credit for.
He has struggled basically in one area, the deep pass down the sideline. Ironically, that was how he got most of his Ints last year.
He has done a good job with all of the other responsibilities in this defense, but the area he struggled with is the one that is most noticable. No one sees the good coverage that doesn't result in a throw to his man or area.
I tend to think there is an injury contributing because what we are seeing is the deep sideline route being thrown as often as last year, but last year he was baiting the QB into the throw, LOOKING beat, while this year he is beaten.
I have lost zero confidence in the long term prospects of McCourty as our #1 corner this season. I wish he didn't have this issue, but I seriously doubt it will linger.
Andy, smoking that fine stuff is still illegal, my man
It may be a matter of that right now, with this secondary, he is more valuable at safety.
It looks like the MAJOR momentum switch occurred when McCourty switched to Safety.
I don't know if he is. In this case, either Molden or Moore would be our #2 CB are you sure that's what you want instead of just keeping Moore at FS?
Besides he hasn't even played a full game at safety, we can't be so sure that he is the answer at FS although he appears to be a fit. He played the entire 2010 season as an apparent stud at CB.
I don't know if he is. In this case, either Molden or Moore would be our #2 CB are you sure that's what you want instead of just keeping Moore at FS?
Besides he hasn't even played a full game at safety, we can't be so sure that he is the answer at FS although he appears to be a fit. He played the entire 2010 season as an apparent stud at CB.
Agreed. McCourty is also an excellent tackler. I thought the last 3 quarters was the best the secondary has looked this year even without Carter there to add QB pressure.
McCourty is so excellent he grades out to a D+ for the year.
I wasn't defending McCourty's CB play this season. I was merely stating that as cornerbacks go, McCourty is a well above average tackler enhancing his chances of being a successful safety. Just my opinion, but while I was surprised that McCourty graded as high as "a D+" this season at CB, for a guy playing a new position, I thought he played well today at safety.