Let's Say We Added Carter and Barron

[Arrington Planet]

Slightly off topic, but I feel everyone underestimates Sterling Moore.

The guy singlehandedly got us into the Super Bowl. Clutch, and plays good press coverage. I want him starting somewhere.

One good play isn't equal to "singlehandedly" getting us into the Super Bowl. Hell, he even had a big mistake in the Torrey Smith touchdown that gave them the lead.

 

[Deus Irae]

Slightly off topic, but I feel everyone underestimates Sterling Moore.

The guy singlehandedly got us into the Super Bowl. Clutch, and plays good press coverage. I want him starting somewhere.

Which league, because I wouldn't count on him making the Patriots roster.

 

[supafly]

If Ras-I Dowling lives up to his first round draft grade and Devin McCourty returns to his rookie form.

If either one of these happens the secondary will be much improved.

They both don't have to happen.

 

[supafly]

Which league, because I wouldn't count on him making the Patriots roster.

I would think that he makes the roster at least, with his knowledge of the system already etc. I wouldn't see any reason why Belichick wouldn't try to build on what's there.

We've certainly had a lot worse in the depth charts at the position, and the fact of the matter is that he can play both CB and S.

Maybe it was just me, but I thought his coverage skills looked okay.

 

[Deus Irae]

I would think that he makes the roster at least, with his knowledge of the system already etc. I wouldn't see any reason why Belichick wouldn't try to build on what's there.

We've certainly had a lot worse in the depth charts at the position, and the fact of the matter is that he can play both CB and S.

Maybe it was just me, but I thought his coverage skills looked okay.

Dowling
McCourty
Arrington
Allen

That leaves only room for one more if they go 5/5 in the defensive backfield, and I wasn't as high on Moore as you seem to be. Time will tell, though. That's the fun part of the offseason.

 

[Marqui]

Maybe it was just me, but I thought his coverage skills looked okay.

No, it's not you. Moore showed a lot of raw ability down the stretch last year and was probably the Pats best corner in the playoffs (that's not saying much I know). Plus he has some versatility to play either CB or S. Moore is a near lock imo along with McCourty/Dowling/Arrington.

 

[supafly]

Dowling
McCourty
Arrington
Allen

That leaves only room for one more if they go 5/5 in the defensive backfield, and I wasn't as high on Moore as you seem to be. Time will tell, though. That's the fun part of the offseason.

I am still wondering if there's a possibility that one of these may be considered for competition for the FS spot (or 'other' safety, as FS isn't as appropriate in NE)?

Allen or Moore, I would assume.

If not, one could also make the debate that Moore may actually get the nod over Allen, if Allen doesn't show enough in TC too--as unlikely as it may sound.

You certainly make a good point that it's the beauty of the offseason, and I'm sure we'll all be having the debate another 50x before September.

A rookie draft pick will only add to the madness, much like WR. Then again, I'm wondering if we see either position targeted at this point? I had assumed a pick at one or the other, but who knows?

 

[supafly]

No, it's not you. Moore showed a lot of raw ability down the stretch last year and was probably the Pats best corner in the playoffs (that's not saying much I know). Plus he has some versatility to play either CB or S. Moore is a near lock imo along with McCourty/Dowling/Arrington.

I actually think he was one of the pleasant surprises that came from a bad situation, and feel as though he showed enough during his rookie year that Belichick may want to continue to build on that.

There are many/some who disagree however, so it's certainly a controversial topic.

I am in agreement with you that he should make the team though. He's young, cheap, knows the system, has had playing time in big moments, and is versatile in the secondary. To me those are all positives that should help his case.

 

[Joey007]

A little off topic again, but I do think Allen was just what we needed in our CB depth chart. Let's make a scenario here- Let's say our CB's next year are this and that the best case scenario for each player happens-

McCourty- Goes back to his old form, plays exceptionally well.
Arrington- continues to make turnovers and improves on coverage.
Dowling- Shakes off the "Glas-I" name and becomes a stud at corner.
Moore- Continues to improve, also continues clutch play
Allen- Ends up giving us some great depth, gives our D-backfield security and vet leadership.
Williams (prob. on PS, but if becomes active)- Becomes a very solid special teams player.

Another good thing about the corners is that if Dowling or someone goes down we could always switch Gregory to corner and give us some more depth. So in general, our corners for next year should hopefully be good to go. Safeties, on the other hand, need more work yet.

 

[Big-T]

CB: McCourty, Dowling, Arrington, Cole
CB/S: Moore, Gregory, Allen
S: Chung, Barrett, rookie

10 players for the secondary, 3 of which can play both CB and safety (4 if you count McCourty too)

 

[Joey007]

Whoops, forgot about Cole. I'll assume he'll duke-it-out with Williams for a spot.

 

[ATippett56]

McCourty- Goes back to his old form, plays exceptionally well.

Definitely required to upgrade the defensive secondary.

Arrington- continues to make turnovers and improves on coverage.

Excels at the nickel cornerback position.

Dowling- Shakes off the "Glas-I" name and becomes a stud at corner.

That's Glass-IR Dowling.

Moore- Continues to improve, also continues clutch play.

One can only hope.

Allen- Ends up giving us some great depth, gives our D-backfield security and vet leadership.

Training camp depth and injury insurance, unless he can play safety.

Williams (prob. on PS, but if becomes active)- Becomes a very solid special teams player.

Training camp depth and injury insurance for special teams. Most likely return to the practice squad.

Marquice Cole - exceptional special teams gunner and has shown the ability to play cornerback, especially in dime packages.

 

[supafly]

CB: McCourty, Dowling, Arrington, Cole
CB/S: Moore, Gregory, Allen
S: Chung, Barrett, rookie

10 players for the secondary, 3 of which can play both CB and safety (4 if you count McCourty too)

I don't think this is too much of a stretch, and this post may be a good point.

We'll all likely spend hours between now and the final roster cuts trying to decide who goes where, between CB and S etc.

But there's a possibility that Belichick may have a whole other way of looking at the positions, with the hybrid role really messing up the debate for us fans

The good thing is that there should be exceptional depth, with the ability to change on the fly if someone goes down or cannot produce; and that may be the key to the whole improvement of the secondary this year.

 

[patsinthesnow]

Which league, because I wouldn't count on him making the Patriots roster.

Deus, I've grown to value your opinions and like your balance right in the middle of homer or hater, but you will be proven wrong on Moore.

How can you even say he's not good enough to make the 53?

 

[patsfan13]

CB: McCourty, Dowling, Arrington, Cole
CB/S: Moore, Gregory, Allen
S: Chung, Barrett, rookie

10 players for the secondary, 3 of which can play both CB and safety (4 if you count McCourty too)

If BB doesn't like the S crop we could even see Ihedigbo as the #10 DB he can play SS and is a good St player.


Of course as always the question is health.

 

[Leemo]

Which league, because I wouldn't count on him making the Patriots roster.

people say you talk alot of **** but usually 9 times outta 10 im with you. But on this occasion you couldn't be more wrong. Moore is a gem, a superb player who showed masses of potential and is surely a lock for next season's roster. Easily in the roster before, Allen, Gregory, Brown, Ventrone,Barrett, Lockett and Williams

edit just to add, he's the best tackling DB we have aside of Pat Chung

 

[Deus Irae]

Deus, I've grown to value your opinions and like your balance right in the middle of homer or hater, but you will be proven wrong on Moore.

How can you even say he's not good enough to make the 53?

In 2010, there was a late season defensive end addition named Eric Moore. 'Most everyone thought for sure that he'd played well enough to be on the roster in 2011. Looking at the 2011 season, I remember Phillip Adams getting cut even as many here were singing his praises. It's the danger of a limited sample size. While others seem to have been smitten by Mr. Moore last season, I wasn't particularly impressed.

I see a team that currently has 4 of 5 CB spots held down (McCourty, Dowling, Arrington, Allen), and the rest of the CB crowd all fighting for one spot. Given that situation, I don't see Moore as any kind of lock. Others, such as yourself, seem to disagree.

 

[TyronePoole]

just curious what makes people so sure about Allen getting a spot?

Sterling Moore is only 22, I think BB's track record is that he gives CBs he likes quite a bit of time to develop at least

 

[ATippett56]

Free agent Andre Carter still “limping heavily” after quadriceps tear | ProFootballTalk

Free agent defensive end Andre Carter was the Patriots’ best pass rusher for the majority of the 2011 season. He racked up 10 sacks and a pair of forced fumbles in 14 games.

But Carter tore his left quadriceps on December 18, and was lost for the season’s remainder. And he’s still nursing the injury.

According to Ian Rapoport of the Boston Herald, Carter is still “limping heavily” more than three months after the muscle tear. Carter was in Foxboro on Saturday for a medical checkup.

As evidenced by his 2011 performance, a healthy Carter can still bring plenty of pass-rushing pressure going on age 33. It sounds like he’s nowhere near 100 percent, however.

And that explains why Carter has not yet been signed.

 

[patsinthesnow]

In 2010, there was a late season defensive end addition named Eric Moore. 'Most everyone thought for sure that he'd played well enough to be on the roster in 2011. Looking at the 2011 season, I remember Phillip Adams getting cut even as many here were singing his praises. It's the danger of a limited sample size. While others seem to have been smitten by Mr. Moore last season, I wasn't particularly impressed.

I see a team that currently has 4 of 5 CB spots held down (McCourty, Dowling, Arrington, Allen), and the rest of the CB crowd all fighting for one spot. Given that situation, I don't see Moore as any kind of lock. Others, such as yourself, seem to disagree.

Good point on Eric Moore, I'll give ya that, strange how he never made it. I think Moore did enough as a rookie despite limited sample size, we'll see. I don't see Allen as any type of a lock though.