Mike Reiss Take on why Meriweather got limited reps last week..

[DarrylS]

While many assumed it was because of the coverage, according to Reiss it was an internal disciplinary thing.. love his game, but he needs more self discipline both off and on the field..

New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

8. After assuming a full-time role for weeks, Patriots safety Brandon Meriweather had a limited role in last Sunday's win over the Bears by playing just 14 snaps. I don't think the reduced role was based on performance as much as it was a form of internal discipline that reinforced the importance of being on time for meetings.

 

[SuperPatsFan]

Is someone going to allege that this is more evidence Meriweather lacks the professionalism to be a Patriot long-term?

Maybe someone is going to claim that this is Meriweather's last season with the Pats.

 

[shmessy]

Is someone going to allege that this is more evidence Meriweather lacks the professionalism to be a Patriot long-term?

Maybe someone is going to claim that this is Meriweather's last season with the Pats.

(In passive-aggressive voice tone): Is your post a passive-aggressive way of doing that?

 

[Armchair Quarterback]

While many assumed it was because of the coverage, according to Reiss it was an internal disciplinary thing.. love his game, but he needs more self discipline both off and on the field..

New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

This would be the second time this happened this season. It wouldn't surprise me if they trade him in the offseason.

 

[Armchair Quarterback]

Is someone going to allege that this is more evidence Meriweather lacks the professionalism to be a Patriot long-term?

Maybe someone is going to claim that this is Meriweather's last season with the Pats.

That would be me apparently.

 

[RobertWeathers]

My take is that he is the defense's version of LoMo. Has talent. Makes plays but either is unwilling in incapable to perform exactly the way the team wants him to. It doesn't make him a bad player- just not one that is a part of the "core".

I don't know if that means his not long for the Pats, but I do think he is not getting a big-dollars, multi-year extension anytime soon.

 

[SuperPatsFan]

You know, a guy like Devin McCourty comes in and "gets it" immediately.

If there's another guy, who has been with the Pats for years, and still doesn't "get it", what does the team do?

 

[convertedpatsfan]

(In passive-aggressive voice tone): Is your post a passive-aggressive way of doing that?

And I have to admit, it's kind of disappointing if that's the reason. I don't understand how it's so difficult to show up to work on time.

 

[Armchair Quarterback]

You know, a guy like Devin McCourty comes in and "gets it" immediately.

If there's another guy, who has been with the Pats for years, and still doesn't "get it", what does the team do?

They get rid of him.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

Is someone going to allege that this is more evidence Meriweather lacks the professionalism to be a Patriot long-term?

Maybe someone is going to claim that this is Meriweather's last season with the Pats.

It's fairly clear that things have to change for him to be back in 2012. Unless they get a decent offer I assume he'll be back to play out his contract in 2011 but he clearly doesn't get it - and I like the kid.

 

[JackBauer]

I hope he grows up before his contract runs out, because I'd hate to see him leave.

 

[JMarr]

Is someone going to allege that this is more evidence Meriweather lacks the professionalism to be a Patriot long-term?

Maybe someone is going to claim that this is Meriweather's last season with the Pats.

I knew that was coming. It's funny how some people get on a high horse and can't handle criticism any Patriots player by mere "posters" on a messageboard. Can anyone honestly say that Merriweather has overachieved as an NFL player [like McCourty, Arrington, Woodhead, etc.?

He's a good player, but he needs to get his head on straight real fast. Why? Because it's now beyond obvious that the biggest difference between last year and this is that the lockerroom has been (mostly) cleared of people who don't buy 100% into the koolaid what BB is offering. BB was in danger of losing a pretty big chunk of the team in 2009, attitude-wise.

 

[Froob]

I'd hate to see this guy get traded he has some much talent. He was my favorite player until McCourty did the airplane monday night.

 

[Lockdown06]

I knew that was coming. It's funny how some people get on a high horse and can't handle criticism any Patriots player by mere "posters" on a messageboard. Can anyone honestly say that Merriweather has overachieved as an NFL player [like McCourty, Arrington, Woodhead, etc.?

He's a good player, but he needs to get his head on straight real fast. Why? Because it's now beyond obvious that the biggest difference between last year and this is that the lockerroom has been (mostly) cleared of people who don't buy 100% into the koolaid what BB is offering. BB was in danger of losing a pretty big chunk of the team in 2009, attitude-wise.

I agree that he needs to grow up, and I also agree that while he is a good player, he probably has the potential to be wayy better if he had Rodney Harrison's work ethic, for example.

I would say that if he doesn't change his attitude, he probably won't get resigned by the pats, but I doubt that the coaching staff views Meriweather's attitude the same way they did that of Adalius Thomas, Derrick Burgess, or even Moss.

For whatever Meriweather isn't doing in practice during the week, it can't be said that he doesn't show up on the field (both in terms of his play and his actual teammates).

Any time a DB makes a big play, Meriweather is the first one there to congratulate the guy. It also can't be denied that Meriweather (and also Chung) give the defensive backfield a swagger that has been missing in past years.

Ultimately, if he can get this stuff figured out, I bet the pats keep him, but definitely not if he wants to be the highest-paid safety in the league (or anything close to that)

 

[SuperPatsFan]

They get rid of him.

Well that's certainly one option, but couldn't there be others?

 

[mgteich]

OK, the kid isn't very bright. He is frustrating to the team when he is immature and just plain dumb.

HOWEVER, the kid does have talent and has played reasonably well, occasionally pro-bowl quality well.

Meriweather CANNOT call plays, and cannot lead, which makes him a liability as a star safety.

IMHO, the coaching staff should be able to mold such players. That is indeed a large part of their job.

In the end, your analysis is correct. He will be part of the team in 2011 and gone unless he improves on his intangibles.
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James Sanders is the anti-Meriweather. Sanders is the signal caller, the leader, the savy veteran, all with much less talent and upside potential comapred with Meriweather. I see us extending Sanders yet again in 2012.

It's fairly clear that things have to change for him to be back in 2012. Unless they get a decent offer I assume he'll be back to play out his contract in 2011 but he clearly doesn't get it - and I like the kid.

 

[shmessy]

On the other hand, we're deep at safety. Chung is a Patriot through and through. I've been very impressed with Jarrad Page. Sergio Brown might develop into something good and we get Brandon MacGowan off the DL next year.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

I don't think Merriweather is the lone clueless DB in that locker room. I think he has a buddies in Butler and maybe Wilhite. After a loss in Miami, they were seen clowning around in the back of the locker room.

I suspect that if Chung was 100%, Merriweather would be a full time backup.

 

[seanymac2]

What's been going on with this?

 

[DarrylS]

IMHO, the coaching staff should be able to mold such players. That is indeed a large part of their job.In the end, your analysis is correct. He will be part of the team in 2011 and gone unless he improves on his intangibles.
===============

.

Do you that that is somewhat of a stretch??? Coaches can only coach players up so much.. he was benched at the beginning of the season for freelancing, and now he showing up late to meetings.. players can only be molded if they allow themselves to be molded, some never get it..

Really like his game, but his lack of maturity cannot be coached.. my concern is if he is not getting it now, he probably never will..