Meriweather - Do you want him back?

[JackBauer]

To be honest, I didn't check the contract status and just assumed his contract was up based on the OP. I'm a little dumbfounded as to the OP's question now given that I know Meriweather is under contract next season. Unless there's a high value trade offered (along with the organization's feelings that there is little chance to bring him back at their value past 2011) then there's absolutely no reason for Meriweather not to be in a Patriots uniform.

My position as well. No point in getting rid of him now; we can cross that bridge after next season based on his play in 2011 and subsequent contract demands.

 

[UofApatsfan]

I'd like an improvement but he's not bad enough where it's worth it to use one of the first four picks on a replacement. Keep him as it's unlikely they'll find a safety in the draft with more to contribute next year than Meriweather.

 

[Kontradiction]

It's funny how some of you worship the ground that Chung walks on and then bash Meriweather in the next sentence. Meriweather, by far and away, is the better of the two in coverage.

 

[stinkypete]

I could go either way. I think we can do better, and we can do a lot worse. Got a Tebucky Jones vibe from the guy.

The rest of the D seems to love him, for what that's worth.

 

[patsfan-1982]

he has made the pro bowl in the AFC two years in a row... there are a lot of great safetys in the AFC that are not named ( Ed Reed, and Troy Polamalu, ) who had better seasons state wise then Meriweather, but he made the pro bowl cause he has the respect of other players and fans



the pats were 30th in the NFL in pass defense with him pretty much takeing WR''s and TE's heads off over the middle imagine how much worst they would be with out him.

 

[billdog3484]

i would prefer to play Merriweather/Chung with a Free Safety. So if that means trading Merriweather I would, so long as the value in return is there. I would hope we could get a 2nd rounder for him, but a third rounder probably seems a little more realistic. i dont think id want a 3rd rounder for merriweather, i dont think its enough

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Question is more to me about McGowan staying on the roster

Meriweather is a lock IMO....McGowan is not,remember how his play was subpar during the latter part of 09 that he was yanked for Sanders

Page played ok for the little time he was in there but there does not appear to be room for him either.

 

[Sciz]

Page played ok for the little time he was in there but there does not appear to be room for him either.

Page is going to want to get paid. He wanted out of KC because they wouldn't sign him long term, and I assume he expects the same out of the Pats.

 

[Titanium Coate Hanger]

You need JAGs to win rings too. Esp given the salary cap, you just need the right balance to mix in with playmakers. You can't have an All Star at every position.

The problem with Meriweather is he's solid but not spectacular on a defense full of the same kind of guys. The Pats need someone on that defense who simply makes good things happen around them. Merton Hanks who played for the 49ers and Seahawks is a good example. Guy was not the best player who ever lived, but he was a guy with a nose for the ball and always found a way to make a play. Wherever he went, good things happened for the most part for the defense.

There really isn't anyone on the Patriots D that opponents have to scheme for. There's no Patrick Willis or Julius Peppers or Ngata to give someone head aches over it all. I think some of the younger players have the potential to be more of that, but right now there really isn't anyone besides Wilfork.

This defense misses Richard Seymour. I know why they traded him, but they still miss him. Some things move beyond a value in terms of age, contract, dollars, cap room, draft picks, etc.

I think Meriweather's value will change if this team can get a real pass rush. When you start hitting the QB, it frees up your safeties to actually do other things besides constantly trying to compensate for the issues deriving from a lack of a pass rush.

 

[tasmlab]

Him not wrapping up the receiver for a touch down had me screaming...

But I wonder (total speculation) if that a player like him is used to dishearten the other team. As soon as Brady and co get up two scores in the first quarter, how eager are opposing receivers to go across the middle of the field when they know there is an attack dog back there who wants to put them in the hospital?

My thoughts might be "Well, there goes the scoring machine again and we're never going to catch up. How much do I want to get hit by Merriweather now as we try?"

And the game ends 38-7.

 

[NEPatriot]

YES! I think he's gotten a bad rap. Has he freelanced and missed a few big tackles? Yes. But he's also made plays. Count me in for those who want him back.

 

[Remix 6]

his problem is he isnt a strong tackler. he can make the big hit when running but hes not a sure tackler as he misses or bounces off a lot. that's coach-able and fixable. i do think he needs to get in the weight room so he can consistently take down bigger players but he tries and he does make plays for us and making pro bowl is more than fan votes..so obviously he has some respect around the league. we need him..he'll improve

 

[BelizePats]

I cannot recall Merriweather making a single play in the game against the Jets or even having his name called. For anything during the game.

 

[JackBauer]

I cannot recall Merriweather making a single play in the game against the Jets or even having his name called. For anything during the game.

Did you watch the game, by any chance?

 

[BradyFTW!]

I cannot recall Merriweather making a single play in the game against the Jets or even having his name called. For anything during the game.

He made a couple of tackles that saved first downs and his mere presence stopped a couple passed from being completed because guys were afraid to stretch out for the ball and get crushed by him. Not an amazing day, but he was one of the few players on the D that didn't have an outright disappointing day.

 

[UofApatsfan]

I cannot recall Merriweather making a single play in the game against the Jets or even having his name called. For anything during the game.

That's not necessarily a bad thing. He was deep in coverage the whole game and the Jets didn't have any big plays sans Cotchery's reception which had nothing to do with Meriweather and more to do with the coaching staff's 15 yard cushion. IMO Meriweather played well against the Jets (and I've been critical of him all season) and did his job.

 

[STFarmy]

Did you watch the game, by any chance?

Haha, looks like it's us sticking up for Meriweather again. As someone else pointed out, it's not necessarily a bad thing that his name wasn't mentioned much in the Jets game... if he was deep in coverage and the ball is never thrown to his area, why should he be?

I also think that his getting voted to the Pro Bowl is significant. While many (including myself) were surprised to see him voted to the Pro Bowl, it was chalked up to fans voting for a familiar name. However, we must remember that fans are only 1/3 of the vote. The other 2/3 are from players and coaches - two contingencies that understand more of the intricacies of football then we as fans ever could. This means that there was a significant number of people that voted for Brandon that understand what he is supposed to be doing in his position and voted him to the Pro Bowl for it. Unless my understanding of this process is wrong, this would seem to speak highly of his efforts.

I want him back, needless to say. If his asking price is high, however, I expect him to be evaluated as everyone else in this system. If he wants too much, he will be gone. And I would understand that from both parties' POVs.

 

[jbb9s]

trick question.

This two time pro-bowler will probably get an offer when he becomes a FA from Washington or Dallas that is 50% more than BB could afford. Guys like Mayo in 2 yrs, Welker at the end of next season and Mankins this off season are way better at what they do than Meriweather and need to be signed.

So even if I thought he was a great player (which I don't), I would say no. Next year, he can stick around at his rookie #. Good value in the short term.

Most importantly, look at how much success other average safeties have filled in this defense at that position and done a nice job. Sanders this year. Last year, McGowan was the best safety on this team for the first half of the season. Chung should stay away from direct snap punt fakes and stick to safety. He will be great for the next 3 yrs.

 

[satz]

We have

Sanders ,Chung and Mcgown all SS who can play FS against specific matchup

Merriweather and Sergio are the only 2 FS in the team.Unless people want to turn the deep FS spot to sergio i do not understand this thread.

 

[Anj]

Haha, looks like it's us sticking up for Meriweather again. As someone else pointed out, it's not necessarily a bad thing that his name wasn't mentioned much in the Jets game... if he was deep in coverage and the ball is never thrown to his area, why should he be?

I also think that his getting voted to the Pro Bowl is significant. While many (including myself) were surprised to see him voted to the Pro Bowl, it was chalked up to fans voting for a familiar name. However, we must remember that fans are only 1/3 of the vote. The other 2/3 are from players and coaches - two contingencies that understand more of the intricacies of football then we as fans ever could. This means that there was a significant number of people that voted for Brandon that understand what he is supposed to be doing in his position and voted him to the Pro Bowl for it. Unless my understanding of this process is wrong, this would seem to speak highly of his efforts.

I want him back, needless to say. If his asking price is high, however, I expect him to be evaluated as everyone else in this system. If he wants too much, he will be gone. And I would understand that from both parties' POVs.

yup, nailed it