Meriweather

[ATippett56]

I don't think its a coincedence that Rashad Baker made several coverage screwups versus the Eagles, and suddenly Brandon Meriweather is on the field.

Reminds me of Hobbs and Duane Starks from 2005.

You had to mention Duane Starks? Unfortunately some prior draft trades in 2005 and 2006 seriously bombed for the New England Patriots:

Duane Starks
Andre Davis
Doug Gabriel

 

[ClevTrev]

I was a big Meriweather fan prior to the draft. He was very instinctive and reactive in college while now he seems to be hesitant, as if every move he makes needs to be considered over and over in his head before proceeding. Even his dropped INT last night can be related to this common rookie malady - many a star player in college wakes up mid-season in the NFL and feels completely lost and suddenly isn't even trusting his natural ability, like the skill to snatch a ball out of the air.

Some guys get over this hump, some don't, but BB seems to specialize in dismantling a rookie's college game and forcing them so hard to convert to BB's style that they smell like a bust because they don't even look good early on. Think Warren, Samuels, Sanders, Jackson, Wilfork, and others. This list doesn't guarantee that Meriweather will be the next dude to come around but his spotty play up to this point isn't a complete surprise.

BBB, thanks for being the voice of reason in this thread. Very likely Mr. Meriweather will be a force once he completes a training camp next season after being fully prepared for what he learned to expect from this season. This guy is too talented to not be a difference maker in the near future. At this point, he's got Sanders and Harrison playing in front of him. No need to rush this guy, he'll get there.

 

[letekro]

I'm still waiting to see why they call him the "Hit Stick". Far from impressive last night. However, at least he is getting on the field and getting some playing time in crucial situations.

That was a fair, balanced take...what have you done with the real NSA!?!

 

[unoriginal]

You had to mention Duane Starks? Unfortunately some prior draft trades in 2005 and 2006 seriously bombed for the New England Patriots:

Duane Starks
Andre Davis
Doug Gabriel

Andre Davis was about as good as advertised. We traded a fifth for him, and the Bills gave him $1.3 million the next year. And now he's doing very well in Houston.

I apologize for equating Rashad Baker with Duane Starks. At least Baker is a good ST'er.

 

[D-cleater]

Play him!!!

At some point I think you have to rely on your #1 pick over JAGs. I'm talking about nickel and dime packages, which he is finally showing up in. Let the kid get used to the game, maybe make a few mistakes ( There was at least two last night), but let him grow on the field while he still has guys like Harrison around him to learn from.

 

[ATippett56]

I apologize for equating Rashad Baker with Duane Starks. At least Baker is a good ST'er.

Also, safety Rashad Baker did not cost the Patriots a third round draft pick in 2005.

 

[IcyPatriot]

I think he will be fine ... lots of adjustments for him this year. He's being asked to play very differently than he did in college. Also ... he is bigger ... way way bigger than when we drafted him. He is not going to be our FS ... he is going to be our SS when Rodney hangs them up. In the meantime he is busy learning and getting bigger and stronger.

There is no way he can compete with Harrison ... and Sanders has gone from a SS to being a FS. BTW many said he sucked his first few years here also .. not realizing he was learning new skills and a new mindset. Merriweather is going to be as good as advertised ... we just don't really need him yet.

 

[ATippett56]

At some point I think you have to rely on your #1 pick over JAGs.

At some point, the Patriots have to find out what they have in Brandon Meriweather, especially if the Patriots consider selecting another safety in the 2008 NFL Draft.

 

[VJCPatriot]

He completely whiffed on a tackle that turned a Boller medium distance pass into a 50 yard gain. Then he drops a gift int that would have sealed the game. The very next play Boller throws a pass that is completed at the 1 yard line.

Kind of a shaky game for Meriweather. I hope he works on his fundamentals and has a few sessions with the Jugs machine. Just wrap up the guy, you don't have to make a dramatic diving tackle to get the job done!

 

[ATippett56]

There is no way he can compete with Harrison ... and Sanders has gone from a SS to being a FS. BTW many said he sucked his first few years here also .. not realizing he was learning new skills and a new mindset. Merriweather is going to be as good as advertised ... we just don't really need him yet.

At this time, there is no need to panic about Brandon Meriweather. Wonder how this message board reacted about Ty Warren in his rookie season?

 

[National Sports Advisors]

You had to mention Duane Starks? Unfortunately some prior draft trades in 2005 and 2006 seriously bombed for the New England Patriots:

Duane Starks
Andre Davis
Doug Gabriel

Shhh!!! BB and Pioli don't make mistakes. They are perfect.

 

[IcyPatriot]

At this time, there is no need to panic about Brandon Meriweather. Wonder how this message board reacted about Ty Warren in his rookie season?

Every year that way ... Graham, Warren, Seymour ... even Wilfork but only 1/2 a year for him...like a broken record.

 

[zarakotas5]

Because he's fond of taking hits off of sticks?

Perhaps we could arrange them to meet face-to-face?

 

[ATippett56]

Every year that way ... Graham, Warren, Seymour ... even Wilfork but only 1/2 a year for him...like a broken record.

Meanwhile, it took James Sanders in his third season to evolve into a competant safety.

 

[ClevTrev]

Wonder how this message board reacted about Ty Warren in his rookie season?

Interesting question, and my observation is that there is a very different set of expectations exhibited by all Pats fans compared to when Warren was a rookie. The expectations this season are higher than I can ever remember, as even a 3-point win is a cause of anguish for many. I can recall that while it was routine for the Pats to win, there were many close games that didn't come close to the scrutiny and criticism that we have today. It's almost impossible to compare because of this dynamic.

I would venture to guess that if Warren were in Meriweather's position as a rookie having been taken 13th in the first round this season (as he was in 2003), he'd be excoriated as a draft bust and people would be posting for Pioli's head!!!! People want immediate gratification and don't always understand the process. The process takes some time. Hah!!!!

 

[ATippett56]

People want immediate gratification and don't always understand the process. The process takes some time. Hah!!!!

Three years is the norm to evaluate a rookie, unless your name is Dexter Reid.

 

[ClevTrev]

Three years is the norm to evaluate a rookie, unless your name is Dexter Reid.

or Bethel Johnson . . .

 

[Mogamedogz]

His first two seasons
Asante
dropped many a ball he managed to get his mitts on.

What does that have to do with Meriweather dropping the pick that could have sealed the deal last night?

BTW: Asante also had 30 solo tackles, 5 passes defended, and 2 picks (one for a TD). if I remember correctly... Wilson and Samuel both stepped in and took on a reasonable amount of responsibility in the rookie seasons (both doing adequate jobs).