The Emergence of Patrick Chung

[NEPettyOfficer72]

Started more games in College than any defensive player in Oregon History
2 Sacks
133 Tackles
1 Blocked Punt
1 Blocked Field Goal
1 Successful Botched Punt of his decision
4 Ints
10 Pass Deflections
and a TD

I think this year will be the emergence of Patrick Chung as the superstar Safety of New England. Extremely Physical at the line of scrimmage, can blitz, cover, young, faster than Rodney Harrison and 2nd among Probowl votes behind Tom Brady even after being injured with marque performances after returning back to action. Maybe now he can truly show everyone of what he is made of. Who says you have to have two great safeties when you only need one. Especially with a top 5 cornerback and monster Defensive line right in front of him.

 

[patriot lifer]

Started more games in College than any defensive player in Oregon History
2 Sacks
133 Tackles
1 Blocked Punt
1 Blocked Field Goal
1 Successful Botched Punt of his decision
4 Ints
10 Pass Deflections
and a TD

I think this year will be the emergence of Patrick Chung as the superstar Safety of New England. Extremely Physical at the line of scrimmage, can blitz, cover, young, faster than Rodney Harrison and 2nd among Probowl votes behind Tom Brady even after being injured with marque performances after returning back to action. Maybe now he can truly show everyone of what he is made of. Who says you have to have two great safeties when you only need one. Especially with a top 5 cornerback and monster Defensive line right in front of you.

We shall see how his covering skills have progressed. Based on his first two years, this isn't his strongest area.

But the fact that they had the cojones to cut both Sanders and Meriweather after Lockett went to IR must be indicative of how they feel about the player.

 

[mgteich]

???

Obviously. Chung is a starter at safety. However, the cutting of Meriweather and Sanders has more to do with confidence in Brown and Barrett than in Chung. The sending of STer Lockett to IR is not relevant to the discussion of the top 3 safety positions.

The bottom line, for now, is that Barrett and Brown relaced Meriweather and Sanders as 2 of our 3 position safeties. Ihedigbe is the #4 or #5 S/STer, if he stays

We shall see how his covering skills have progressed. Based on his first two years, this isn't his strongest area.

But the fact that they had the cojones to cut both Sanders and Meriweather after Lockett went to IR must be indicative of how they feel about the player.

 

[sbpatfan]

He can cover? Did you watch him get jailsexed against JAG Blair White last year? Dude gave up more coverage TDs than anyone else in re secondary. I love Chung, but the one thing he sucks at is coverage. I hope he proves me wrong this year.

 

[mcsully]

I hate to be gloomy but Chung needs to have a big year.. He gets nicked up a lot.. For a safety not good.. Feel the talent is there but just like Brace, if he can't be on the field, he can't contribute.

 

[supafly]

I hate to be gloomy but Chung needs to have a big year.. He gets nicked up a lot.. For a safety not good.. Feel the talent is there but just like Brace, if he can't be on the field, he can't contribute.

He can cover? Did you watch him get jailsexed against JAG Blair White last year? Dude gave up more coverage TDs than anyone else in re secondary. I love Chung, but the one thing he sucks at is coverage. I hope he proves me wrong this year.

Agreeing that Chung seems to have a tremendous upside, but not sure if I see the 'emergence' of Pat Chung just yet. One of the big parts of playing the defensive backfield is the ability to properly cover your man/zone, and so far Chung has not done that very well--to say the least.

Like the 2 responses before me, I apologize for being somewhat negative, and hope that he continues to improve (which he has). I do believe that he has a terrific work ethic, and is eager to learn. That combined with his natural talent should hopefully push him over the top.

 

[patriot lifer]

???

Obviously. Chung is a starter at safety. However, the cutting of Meriweather and Sanders has more to do with confidence in Brown and Barrett than in Chung. The sending of STer Lockett to IR is not relevant to the discussion of the top 3 safety positions.

The bottom line, for now, is that Barrett and Brown relaced Meriweather and Sanders as 2 of our 3 position safeties. Ihedigbe is the #4 or #5 S/STer, if he stays

True, I should have referred to BB's comfort in the set of players between Chung, Brown, and Barrett. My reservation in saying that BB has confidence in Brown and Barrett [/B][/B]is because of the previously reported rumors that the Patriots were seeking out safety help. If this is the case, then I doubt it's because of Chung and more because of Brown and Barrett. If they do acquire someone else before week 1 (or after week 1 to make sure that a salary is not guaranteed for a guy like Sharper), then that will be evidence that they aren't fully comfortable with Brown and Barrett.

 

[patfanken]

I'm not sure how much this is about Chung "emerging" and how much this is about Chung being the last man standing.

 

[Richard Camembert]

???

Obviously. Chung is a starter at safety. However, the cutting of Meriweather and Sanders has more to do with confidence in Brown and Barrett than in Chung. The sending of STer Lockett to IR is not relevant to the discussion of the top 3 safety positions.

The bottom line, for now, is that Barrett and Brown relaced Meriweather and Sanders as 2 of our 3 position safeties. Ihedigbe is the #4 or #5 S/STer, if he stays

With respect, BM and, especially, Sanders supposedly offered seniority and leadership to the safety position; cutting them and the other S might suggest that BB and Patricia felt that it was time for a wholesale changing of the guard, such that the leadership aspect was no longer needed, and that Chung was ready to lead in their minds. Maybe BM was thought to be uncoachable as well, I don't know. You're right in terms of physicality and discipline but I imagine the leadership aspect is a factor as well.

 

[BillyD123]

I like the way Chung has progressed. As I stated in another thread, "McCourty/Chung may be our new Law/Harrison combo"
And not to :deadhorse: but, Meriweather was the anti "teamwork"
player. How could anyone build chemistry with Big Bang Clock?

 

[Mack Herron]

It had been reported that BB was giving more responsibility to Chung. I think he will have an opportunity playing behind Spikes and Mayo and next to McCourty and Bodden. It would be great to see him take a big step this year.

 

[JMarr]

It had been reported that BB was giving more responsibility to Chung. I think he will have an opportunity playing behind Spikes and Mayo and next to McCourty and Bodden. It would be great to see him take a big step this year.

I agree. Chung must be making some pretty big strides in BB's eyes for him to jettison both Sanders and Merriweather. Chung isn't the fastest guy in the world nor all that great in coverage, but he doesn't have to be. He mainly just has to "get it" and be able to play without overthinking. Half the battle in coverage is just being where you're supposed to be at the right time.

I'm hoping and praying that BB is starting to see Chung as his next Rodney Harrison. With Bodden back, and a now experienced group of DM, Arrington, Butler and Brown, it gives BB the luxury of letting Chung grow into the field general role, unimpeded by Sanders or Merriweather's presence.

My guess is that Merriweather might have been traded last year but for the fact that Chung had not yet mastered the learning curve, plus the inexperience of the rest of the secondary.

 

[Keyser Söze]

Not sold on his coverage skills as of yet.

 

[WhiZa]

There's no doubt that BB is looking for all the safties to play to their fullest potential this year. Don't assume that Chung or the others will just step in without a learning curve though.

 

[MrNathanDrake]

Chung was looking semi-Pro Bowler last year until he got injured in week 6 or whenever it was.

 

[RayClay]

I like the way Chung has progressed. As I stated in another thread, "McCourty/Chung may be our new Law/Harrison combo"
And not to :deadhorse: but, Meriweather was the anti "teamwork"
player. How could anyone build chemistry with Big Bang Clock?

Meri is a tremendous idiot, I'm kind of surprised we ever drafted him. It's not like BB drafts by position and he throws around 1st round picks like they were man hole covers.

 

[RayClay]

Chung is fine, but limited. Has Sergio Brown really shown that much, or is there someone else (Barret, Dowling) or a big pickup?

Got to admit, I'm mystified.

 

[RussFrancis]

Im really looking forward to seeing what we do with Dowling. He may eventually evolve into the FS alongside Chung, at more of the classic SS type Dback. Even though we dont label our safeties like that. Im sure we have a gameplan either way, whether or not it involves moving Dowling away from corner, but I expect he'll be on the field alot as a rookie either way.

 

[PatsFan37]

I wouldn't be surprised if the Pats pick up a veteran safety after week one.

 

[Patsbacker]

Sharper after week one I think...