Whats happened to Meriweather?

[JoeShmoe]

Re: Whats happened to Merriweather?

Perhaps its just me but you do get the impression that BB is getting more frustrated with Merriweather, same with Banta-Cain hence why they were benched this week

Only so much coaching can do, if you dont fill your assignment it blows the entire system up

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Re: Whats happened to Merriweather?

Perhaps its just me but you do get the impression that BB is getting more frustrated with Merriweather, same with Banta-Cain hence why they were benched this week

Only so much coaching can do, if you dont fill your assignment it blows the entire system up

I think your point is valid, especially with Merriweather. BB is entering terra incognito for him as a HC with his use of different motivational techniques for a frustratingly slowly developing D that does not seem to grasp what it takes to win and how to apply it on the field consistently. I hope he succeeds. Key to that will be the ability and willingness of the young charges to exhibit continued learning and improvement. When you listen to Brady at the podium postgame continually and repeatedly saying we need to improve every week, we need to work hard during the week, we need to keep mentally alert, we need to not be satisfied and to find ways to improve, you're hearing him echo BB's words and philosophy, a viewpoint that seems to be incomprehensible to the current player culture on defense or at least tuned out.

 

[SuperPatsFan]

Re: Whats happened to Merriweather?

I'd love to know the names of the 2 or 3 players on D who spend the most time watching film. I'd also like to know which 2 or 3 regulars spend the least. Any guesses?

 

[BennyBledsoe]

Re: Whats happened to Merriweather?

Yeah, Meriweather might be the next player Belichick sloughs off in the 'Adalius Thomas' style.

It's sad Meriweather's falling for his own hype.

 

[RhodyPatriot]

Re: Whats happened to Merriweather?

His ego is much bigger than his game. He's quite immature and likes to freelance his way out of postion at critical times
Too bad Rodney isn't around to bring Brandon crashing back to earth......literally.

 

[MustaphaM0nd]

Re: Whats happened to Merriweather?

The problem is that we don't have any alternatives to Meriweather, and acquiring one would take premium resources (a high draft pick, a FA signing)

It seems like BB is benching him to light a fire under his ***. Hopefully he becomes what he needs to be.

 

[Patspsycho]

Re: Whats happened to Merriweather?

Unless my eyes are deceiving me, haven't we been playing a good amount of one-gap so far this season?

Yes we've played quite a bit of one-gapping. I'm speaking of snaps where we go to a two gap prevent, but the players still one-gap. Wilfork one gapped on two plays in the Jets game where the Patriots were in 2 gap and that opened up the hole for two of the longer Jets run.

 

[Deus Irae]

Re: Whats happened to Merriweather?

Unless my eyes are deceiving me, haven't we been playing a good amount of one-gap so far this season?

They've had to. Warren can't play 2 gap.

 

[flycessna]

Re: Whats happened to Merriweather?

See "Harrison, Rodney" and "Bruschi, Tedy."

Unfortunately, there's no guarantee that the kind of cohesion this team once had will ever happen with this defense. We could be faced with a never ending revolving door of "the next big thing" among prospects, and be forced to hear the mantra of "wait till next season" indefinitely. There's no guarantee at all that this D will gel as a unit, even with reps and game experience.

What we had during the SB years was very special, and unique.

*sigh*

You need to take the glass is half full approach.. young defense still maturing.

Winning brings cohesion, confidance, swagger!!!!

Losing brings Dissensions, lack of confidance, NO SWAGGER..

Belecheck realizes the team needs smart leaders. I think he has broought in some great guy that in the future will really step up.. McCourty! looks damn good so far..

We need a PASS RUSH and that would help the secondary! otherwise if the Offense can keep playing strong and we get some solid wins then the defense will have time to improve and mature.. if not then you could see the team slide... ;(

 

[Synovia]

Re: Whats happened to Merriweather?

Perhaps its just me but you do get the impression that BB is getting more frustrated with Merriweather, same with Banta-Cain hence why they were benched this week

Only so much coaching can do, if you dont fill your assignment it blows the entire system up

Merriweather played 40 of 56 snaps.

 

[jays52]

I think that what's going on here is an example of someone trying to soon to next level their game. When you first get started in a defense you are going to play things as they are drawn up nearly every time. Once you get some comfort, knowledge of your guys, experience, and reps you begin to get the game slowing down for you a bit. Once that game slows down you begin to get better keys, knowledge of checks, and a feel for how teams are going to attack you. If your film study is right, your awareness is there, and you know where your guys are going to be you can take some educated risks. If you are really on top of things those educated assignment deviations can lead to big plays. These are study and experience things that only come with tremendous time both in the film room and on the field.

A fourth year player is typically too young to try to pull these things off. A lot of the big play assignment deviations come from true veterans. Some of the best plays made by Harrison and Bruschi were made off of these, but keep in mind that those guys were 8th to 12th season players. In order to do this, you must first master your individual techniques respective to scheme. Meriweather still has yet to master this aspect of his game, nevermind the true veteran stuff. I think Meriweather is trying to make those big plays prematurely and still doesn't have the requisate experience to take the risks.

 

[mgcolby]

Re: Whats happened to Merriweather?

Are you implying Belichick is vindictive, and benches players out of spite even if it hurts the team?

He twice now has made the comment that BB is vindictive. I called him out on it in another thread and asked him to give me one example of BB being vindictive and not doing what was best for the team.

I'm still waiting for an answer....

 

[mr3putt]

Million dollar body with a 10 cent mind
Not a good fit for BB's defense
3 years in and still no clue
!st round bust
Again................

 

[BlueThunder]

Million dollar body with a 10 cent mind
Not a good fit for BB's defense
3 years in and still no clue
!st round bust
Again................

You're trying too hard..

 

[mr3putt]

You're trying too hard..

Not quite
No effort what so ever
Kinda like this stiff

Bust!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Horace's Ivories]

Re: Whats happened to Merriweather?

I think we're looking at Tebucky Jones v2.0 in Meriweather. Lot's of promise and a few big plays, but the guy just can't seem to fit. Maybe he is best off traded next offseason while he still has value.

I'd like to see Page get some more looks.

I thought Page looked horrendous - slower than slow

 

[IcyPatriot]

Another thread I hope Bill and all the defense coaches are reading ... .

Actually so many good threads this year for them to read.

Perhaps they will be edjamacated a bit.

 

[DropKickFlutie]

Brandon Meriweather needs to realize he got lucky last year with the pro bowl, as an injury replacement (wasn't it more than 1 injury that got him on the team?)

 

[blackglass3]

Not quite
No effort what so ever
Kinda like this stiff

Bust!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So, let me get this straight. A 4th year play who showed good/great improvement every year, then didn't start the first 3 games but acknowledged what he was doing wrong and is going to fix it, and played the 5th most snaps on D this past week; is a bust?

Wow.

 

[Dutchmaster617]

Re: Whats happened to Merriweather?

Its an attitude issue. He thinks he is better than everyone else in the Pats secondary and wants to do things his way and not the Patriot way. I think we have seen the peak of Merriweather's performance unless he has a complete attitude change and has more of a team first attitude.

I think he is better than anyone in the secondary, I have liked him these past 3 years but maybe I am in the minority.

I feel the whole secondary is screwing things up, specifically the CBs, while our safety play is pretty good. But since the backs are young they get a pass, idk but something has to happen and we need BW.