Secondary banged up

[pats1]

Not only is the secondary banged up, but obviously they're having some problems performance-wise as well. Keep in mind that Lewis Sanders was already on the injury report coming into the game. And then this happened:

Patriots blog - Reiss' Pieces - Boston.com

CB Ellis Hobbs has a leg injury, the Patriots announced.

His return is questionable.

Veteran Lewis Sanders has come on in his place. Matthew Slater is one option to become the primary return man.

CB Ellis Hobbs (leg) has returned to the game on defense.

In his absence, Matthew Slater became the primary return man, with RB Kevin Faulk stepping in as the other returner.

Rookie Terrence Wheatley has replaced Deltha O'Neal at left cornerback for the Chargers' fourth drive. O'Neal was in coverage on two deep passes earlier in the game that the Chargers completed -- a 48-yarder on the first play of the game, and Malcolm Floyd's 49-yard touchdown reception.

Safety Brandon Meriweather remains down with 4:48 left in the second quarter. He was looked at by the team's medical staff, and walked off the field slowly with a limp.

Meriweather broke up a pass intended for Vincent Jackson and landed hard on the ground.

CB Deltha O'Neal has returned to the game. He had been on the sidelines for two series.

Also, with Brandon Meriweather remaining out, Lewis Sanders has come on at safety in his place in the nickel defense.

Safety Brandon Meriweather has a hip injury, the Patriots announced.

His return is questionable.

Safety Brandon Meriweather has returned to the game midway through the third quarter.

This game takes me back to November 7, 2005. That night, you had Peyton Manning, Edgerrin James, Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, and Brandon Stokley going up against Asante Samuel, Duane Starks, Eugene Wilson, Randall Gay (playing safety), Michael Stone, Ellis Hobbs, and Hank Poteat. Keep in mind that Samuel wasn't yet a Pro Bowler, Hobbs was a rookie, James Sanders was an inactive rookie, and Tyrone Poole, Chad Scott, and Rodney were out for the year. The game started out with Wilson and Gay at safety, and Samuel and Starks at CB. Starks was benched and placed on IR the next day. Gay got hurt and was placed on IR a week later (leading to the Artrell Hawkins era)

Last night, it was Philip Rivers, LaDainian Tomlinson, Antonio Gates, Vincent Jackson, and Malcolm Floyd - not even Chambers, up against the Pats secondary. The game started out with Meriweather, Sanders, and Harrison at safety, and Hobbs and O'Neal at CB. Hobbs and Meriweather got hurt, and were replaced by Lew Sanders. O'Neal was either benched or was injured, and replaced by Wheatley.

Major problems in both cases. The question is, how much of O'Neal will we see in this defense going forward?

Personally, I think this kind of injury situation in the secondary is going to prompt at least some sort of roster move, given that Wilhite, Ventrone, and Slater are all taking up "secondary" roster spots but aren't players you want out there if any of your starters aren't ready to go. We're about a third of the way through the season now, and the schedule is not going to get any easier. If the powers that be think that the personnel in the secondary can be improved or that there is not sufficient depth to deal with these latest injuries, then you're probably going to see someone in here. Ty Law is still out there. Just sayin'.

 

[Pats726]

I do agree..it seems like the team is a bit beat up..many injuries and not getting better..and you didn't even mention Green and Kaczur who are the most hurt...and likely will be on the injury report and...I think most likely out next week...(pure speculation..but ankles are tough injuries to bounce back from..) So someone is needed to be brought in...Add in LSanders who has had a hamstring injury, but played, and there are the top 3 CBs with injuries..add in Meriwether who plays a lot in nickel/dime...and..really HELP is needed!! Law?? Again..do they wish to pay "Law money" to him??? again.,.he's the type who will now demand even more now..so that may NOT be the best..

 

[mgteich]

We've been "just sayin" we need Law or another seasoned veteran for months. Ditto for a run stopper as depth at ILB.

Not only is the secondary banged up, but obviously they're having some problems performance-wise as well. Keep in mind that Lewis Sanders was already on the injury report coming into the game. And then this happened:

Patriots blog - Reiss' Pieces - Boston.com















This game takes me back to November 7, 2005. That night, you had Peyton Manning, Edgerrin James, Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, and Brandon Stokley going up against Asante Samuel, Duane Starks, Eugene Wilson, Randall Gay (playing safety), Michael Stone, Ellis Hobbs, and Hank Poteat. Keep in mind that Samuel wasn't yet a Pro Bowler, Hobbs was a rookie, James Sanders was an inactive rookie, and Tyrone Poole, Chad Scott, and Rodney were out for the year. The game started out with Wilson and Gay at safety, and Samuel and Starks at CB. Starks was benched and placed on IR the next day. Gay got hurt and was placed on IR a week later (leading to the Artrell Hawkins era)

Last night, it was Philip Rivers, LaDainian Tomlinson, Antonio Gates, Vincent Jackson, and Malcolm Floyd - not even Chambers, up against the Pats secondary. The game started out with Meriweather, Sanders, and Harrison at safety, and Hobbs and O'Neal at CB. Hobbs and Meriweather got hurt, and were replaced by Lew Sanders. O'Neal was either benched or was injured, and replaced by Wheatley.

Major problems in both cases. The question is, how much of O'Neal will we see in this defense going forward?

Personally, I think this kind of injury situation in the secondary is going to prompt at least some sort of roster move, given that Wilhite, Ventrone, and Slater are all taking up "secondary" roster spots but aren't players you want out there if any of your starters aren't ready to go. We're about a third of the way through the season now, and the schedule is not going to get any easier. If the powers that be think that the personnel in the secondary can be improved or that there is not sufficient depth to deal with these latest injuries, then you're probably going to see someone in here. Ty Law is still out there. Just sayin'.

 

[PatriotDynasty_12]

Would Ty Law be worth a look? Hopefully what we saw from O'Neal last night was just an off game...

 

[mgteich]

Lew Sanders might be starting next week.

Would Ty Law be worth a look? Hopefully what we saw from O'Neal last night was just an off game...

 

[emoney_33]

Lew Sanders might be starting next week.

Wheatley might be starting at LCB soon.

 

[j00fek]

banged up?

i can still smell the burnt toast from maine

 

[SVN]

well the denver offense will offer no respite.