McCourty's special

[BobDigital]

Please tell me the stats or metrics you use to evaluate the performance and value of safeties because they don't exist.

You know when a player like DMac is at his best ? When his sole presence stops QBs from throwing the ball towards him, which automatically also limits his opportunities to show up in one of those classic stats categories.

I don't really see what you are trying to say here. I never claimed there was a stat or metric that could be used to completely evaluate a player accurately. I said McCourty is the 3rd best S by eye ball test and my own personal judgement. If someone wants to say McCourty is the best I wouldn't call them wrong automatically. I also agree he prevents a lot of plays and tends to take that over the top stuff away.

However last game he wat not only able to take the over the top away but also give a few huge hits that broke up passes we have seen him come close to and not break up this year. I think he has been exceptional these past 3 games particularly. I don't mean that to say before those games he was not doing well.

 

[Joey007]

This guy better get recognized as a Pro Bowler, but I'm sure TJ Ward or Darian Stewart will get recognized instead or some glorious **** like that.

 

[convertedpatsfan]

McCourty is frustrating sometimes cause we have seen him be late to the play cause he plays so deep. Much of what he does is push people out of bounds after making a catch or prevent the huge play. It is only in the last few games this year have we got to see him actively make plays.

Whether that is just cause things are now lining up by happenstance for that to occur now or the defensive play calling is more aggressive or he is just playing better we don't know for sure. Probably all of them are involved a bit.

It is entirely understandable that fans feel frustrated when you pay a player huge money and the stat sheet doesn't justify it nor do you see those impact plays. However all things considered I only take 2 FSs over him right now (Harrison Smith and Earl Thomas) and for this year IMO he has been worth what they paid him.

Without knowing the play call or watching all-22, it's pretty much impossible to tell. McCourty might be late to a throw because he's slow to figure it out, or it might be because he had to deal with a broken coverage somewhere else. As others around him play better, he can focus on other things instead of cleaning up messes.

I get the feeling that the big difference on D is Collins no longer freelancing. It seems like Van Noy and McClellin, while no way as athletic as Collins, are more dependable and doing their job instead of going for the big play. This in turn may have everyone focusing on their own responsibilities instead of trying to cover up mistakes or anticipating holes in the defense. Again, I don't have anything conclusive on this, but from reading what the guys have been saying, it seems lack of communication and trust were issues up until that point.

Also, safety play is generally misunderstood because we don't actually get to see it. We see the end result sometimes, but rarely do we see the how. The Ringer did a great article on it in the off-season, highly recommend it to anyone who thinks a safety isn't impacting the game if they don't get a half dozen interceptions in a season.

Safeties Are the Most Underappreciated Players in Football

 

[Tuck]

I golf with a man who was a very successful HS football coach and people often ask his opinion on Pats players. He's not as sold on Brady as he is on McCourty, who he calls the key player on the Pats. Since this guy's a former QB I was surprised he said that.

What does the man you golf with say about the othe Patriot players? I'd really like to know.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

Well D-Mac gets some hate around here because he doesn't make flashy plays

To quote Bill Belichick: "************."

Anyone noticed the Patriots give up the fewest long balls in the NFL and have ever since 32 was playing center field? It's no coincidence.

 

[cmasspatsfan]

Without knowing the play call or watching all-22, it's pretty much impossible to tell. McCourty might be late to a throw because he's slow to figure it out, or it might be because he had to deal with a broken coverage somewhere else. As others around him play better, he can focus on other things instead of cleaning up messes.

I get the feeling that the big difference on D is Collins no longer freelancing. It seems like Van Noy and McClellin, while no way as athletic as Collins, are more dependable and doing their job instead of going for the big play. This in turn may have everyone focusing on their own responsibilities instead of trying to cover up mistakes or anticipating holes in the defense. Again, I don't have anything conclusive on this, but from reading what the guys have been saying, it seems lack of communication and trust were issues up until that point.

Also, safety play is generally misunderstood because we don't actually get to see it. We see the end result sometimes, but rarely do we see the how. The Ringer did a great article on it in the off-season, highly recommend it to anyone who thinks a safety isn't impacting the game if they don't get a half dozen interceptions in a season.

Safeties Are the Most Underappreciated Players in Football

If you caught Koppen on csnne tonight breaking down plays I think trust was an issue before, now everyone knows their role so guys like McCourty can just do his job.

 

[thecore762]

He is decent and fits our system well, however you have to also mention Thomas is a weak receiver, he fumbles and drops the ball often when hit hard...
I don't doubt DmCs toughness but I do question Thomas toughness.

 

[TheFlyingWedge]

That was a bigtime and somewhat "flashy" hit, but it was also a perfectly legal hit.

 

[luuked]

I don't really see what you are trying to say here. I never claimed there was a stat or metric that could be used to completely evaluate a player accurately. I said McCourty is the 3rd best S by eye ball test and my own personal judgement. If someone wants to say McCourty is the best I wouldn't call them wrong automatically. I also agree he prevents a lot of plays and tends to take that over the top stuff away.

However last game he wat not only able to take the over the top away but also give a few huge hits that broke up passes we have seen him come close to and not break up this year. I think he has been exceptional these past 3 games particularly. I don't mean that to say before those games he was not doing well.

I am just having an allergic reaction to people here suddenly liking him because of one flashy but ultimately meaningless play.



In fact the reaction to thay play just reveals that a lot of people just have no idea about the sport they are watching. Looking up stats and then just using them to concot some narratives has become the norm not only among fans but also in the media. Instead of sitting down and trying to understand a role of a player, most just takes the shortcut, look at the boxscore and the highlights and then post their hottakes. It's lazy and annoying as hell..

That final part is definitely not directed towards you but all those other lazy, hottake warriors around here.

 

[Kontradiction]

What does the man you golf with say about the othe Patriot players? I'd really like to know.

If this was some smartassery, then I'd like to commend you. Brilliant job.

 

[DarrylS]

As the confidence in the D backs have increased his role is becoming somewhat different than always playing center field..

He has played well all year, and last Sunday he played exceptionally well.. an athletic leader on and off the field who just does his job, Devon is exactly the type of player BB wants in that position.

 

[varjao]

Meanwhile, is it too soon to call Jordan Richards a bust?

 

[1960Pats]

If this was some smartassery, then I'd like to commend you. Brilliant job.

If?

 

[Kontradiction]

Meanwhile, is it too soon to call Jordan Richards a bust?

Nope. All of the football knowledge in the world doesn't mean a damn thing if you're not athletic enough to do the job required. He sounds like he'd be a good coach, though.

 

[varjao]

Nope. All of the football knowledge in the world doesn't mean a damn thing if you're not athletic enough to do the job required. He sounds like he'd be a good coach, though.

At this time Tavon Wilson did more during his rookie contract. He started well, spent quite some time in the dog house and playing ST and contributed more in his last season if I'm not mistaken so he was a reach but not a total bust. Richards on the other hand I don't even remember seeing him on the field.

 

[Kontradiction]

At this time Tavon Wilson did more during his rookie contract. He started well, spent quite some time in the dog house and playing ST and contributed more in his last season if I'm not mistaken so he was a reach but not a total bust. Richards on the other hand I don't even remember seeing him on the field.

Unless it's special teams, you won't. Richards has tank ass syndrome. He moves like he's wearing 20 lb. weights on each ankle.