Chicago Tribune: McGowan set for tough test against Dallas Clark (great tidbits!)

[JSn]

The Chicago papers are really keeping an eye on this guy. Nice article.

I'll paste in some of the interesting bits, but definitely read the whole thing if you have time.

McGowan set for tough test against Dallas Clark -- chicagotribune.com

McGowan played eight games as a rookie but only one the next year when he had an Achilles' tendon injury. He was healthy in 2007 and started nine of his 14 games. He started the opener last season -- a win against the Colts -- then hurt his ankle in the second game and was placed on injured reserve.

In that Indianapolis game, Clark caught one pass before leaving with a knee injury that also kept him out of the next game.

"He's a good tight end," McGowan said. "I see Peyton likes him and he likes the other receivers. The defensive backs are going to have our hands full this week."

Rodney Harrison, who retired early this year after six seasons as a Patriots safety, is impressed with McGowan.

"I watched him play well against Tony Gonzalez," Harrison said. "He's a guy that's a smart kid. He's always in the right place."

Cornerback Leigh Bodden signed as a free agent after playing five years with the Cleveland Browns and last year with the Detroit Lions when they went 0-16. A game against the Colts (8-0) is one reason he chose the Patriots (6-2).

The article mentions that McGowan is second on the team in tackles... second to Brandon Meriweather. It's early, but health assumed, this could be a brilliant safety tandem for the next few years.

 

[Patspsycho]

Good find Jsn.

Tribune is wrong, though. McGowan does lead the team in Tackles with 54. Meri has 43.

 

[JSn]

Good find Jsn.

Tribune is wrong, though. McGowan does lead the team in Tackles with 54. Meri has 43.

Right you are. And on further inspection, which safety has the most sacks?

 

[maverick4]

Chung has been getting some major playing time on the D the past three games too. James Sanders is a really solid safety and if he can't get on the field, it means our secondary talent is very very good right now.

 

[BradyManny]

Great stuff.

McGowan is truly playing ProBowl caliber ball out there right now. If he passes this test on Sunday, it will only elevate that status.

 

[Remix 6]

McGowan plays hard and thats the key. He doesn't take plays off..he is very aggressive and he flies to the ball. Hes having a great, surprising year

 

[Rob0729]

McGowan may be the most consist guy on defense with the Pats this year. Meriweather's playing style allows him to make more big plays, but it also has him out of position many times. McGowan always seem to be in the right position at the right time.

 

[Remix 6]

McGowan may be the most consist guy on defense with the Pats this year. Meriweather's playing style allows him to make more big plays, but it also has him out of position many times. McGowan always seem to be in the right position at the right time.

i agree that styles put meriweather in for more problems than mcgowan's but meriweather's problems havent been being in position. hes missed a few tackles with bad angles at times. his open field tackling is inconsistent but rest seems fine

 

[PatriotsDaily.com]

Just a note of correction, that not actually a Chicago Tribune article, but an AP article written by the Boston-area AP writer, Howard Ulman. It's appeared in papers here.

 

[JSn]

Just a note of correction, that not actually a Chicago Tribune article, but an AP article written by the Boston-area AP writer, Howard Ulman. It's appeared in papers here.

Ah, ok. I didn't catch that. Thanks.

 

[JoeShmoe]

He'll have his hands full with Clark - truly an exceptional player and I only wish had him as a TE. Can block and catch 10 passes a game

Clark/Wayne versus Moss/Welker are THE two best WR tandems in the league and you cant really separate them as both as so on page with their QB's

 

[JSn]

Good find Jsn.

Tribune is wrong, though. McGowan does lead the team in Tackles with 54. Meri has 43.

Just noticed this in Mike's chat with Bru:

Based on coaches' film review, McGowan is second on the team with 46 tackles. Meriweather is first with 49.

 

[Patspsycho]

Just noticed this in Mike's chat with Bru:

This was my reference:

New England Patriots Statistics - NFL Football - ESPN

 

[JSn]

This was my reference:

New England Patriots Statistics - NFL Football - ESPN

ESPN stats vs. Coaches Stats.... hm...

 

[Patspsycho]

ESPN stats vs. Coaches Stats.... hm...

I do understand your point.

 

[PatsBoy12]

Great stuff.

McGowan is truly playing ProBowl caliber ball out there right now. If he passes this test on Sunday, it will only elevate that status.

The same exact thing can be said about Meriweather. This is truly the game where we will have the opportunity to judge our safeties, who have both looked extremely good against lesser teams. If they play well, then they could both very well end up in the Pro Bowl.

Although this is a thread about McGowan, who I picked as one of the Pats midseason defensive MVP's, I'm particularly interested to see how well Meriweather plays. I really think he's ready to take the next step into the elite class, but he must play well in the Indy game to be able to make the transition.

 

[mystrymaster]

ESPN stats vs. Coaches Stats.... hm...

Even I have to go with BB on this one