Jenkins: Anything like Ed Reed?

[CrazyDave]

We've talked about that in detail quite recently in 2 separate threads:

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/13/231402-lets-add-two-secondary.html
http://www.patsfans.com/new-england...3/231403-free-safety-strong-safety-both.html

I think that BB clearly likes hybrid safeties who can play in the box or cover. Meriweather was quite good near the LOS last year and showed nice blitz ability. I'm a bit concerned that he's small to take the pounding, but he's not much smaller than Troy Polamalu and presumably he will continue to work on his strength and conditioning. Malcolm Jenkins has adequate size to support the run as well. I think that BB could use them quite effectively as a safety tandem. Or, he could use Jenkins at CB and complement Meriweather with more of a traditional SS type.

Some are saying he'd be wasted at safety, but I just have this vision in my head of Jenkins roaming center field, just waiting for errant passes.
Kind of the anti-Farve.
He seems to close on the ball pretty well.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

So, with that said, how do you like Merriwether at ss rather than fs?

I still think that close to the LOS is the best place for Meriweather. He made some big plays last season there and he should be much better next season.

Our FS plays a lot of over the top support in our soft zone defense, but he also has to cover some to.

The beauty of Jenkins is that on pass plays where the opponent has 3 WRs the Pats can move Hobbs/Wheatley inside to cover the slot receiver and move FS Jenkins on the outside WR.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

Meriweather had a reputation in college as a big hitter, and last year he had a few good tackles, but this year he seems to have put more effort into catching well, calling the defense, and being more aware of his play. I think in his third year he puts the two together and emerges into a very, very good safety. I don't think he'll make the pro bowl, but I do think he will play very well, especially near the line of scrimmage. Sanders is a stop-gap until we find an intimidator who can cover, but he's (usually) adequate.

Regardless of whether or not we draft a safety, our corners have improved so much that our entire backfield will appear stronger and more capable. I think we will all be quite pleased with their performance this season.

 

[Patriot Missile]

Some are saying he'd be wasted at safety, but I just have this vision in my head of Jenkins roaming center field, just waiting for errant passes.
Kind of the anti-Farve.
He seems to close on the ball pretty well.

If they do draft him, lets let his play on the field decide where he is going to play. He may end up being one of the best Cb's in the game? Who knows?

 

[CrazyDave]

I like the idea of Merriwether and Jenkins both at safety.
Could we see some of that hybrid type -Tank Williams position as well?
We may see some interesting packages this year.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

The beauty of Jenkins is that on pass plays where the opponent has 3 WRs the Pats can move Hobbs/Wheatley inside to cover the slot receiver and move FS Jenkins on the outside WR.

I think this is an excellent point. If we have a DB who can play safety in the base defense and is also capable of sliding down to take on three receiver sets, then we don't have to worry as much about substitutions, which makes us stronger against a no-huddle offense. This is the same reasoning behind a three-down linebacker, as it allows us to stay in our base 34 without nickel and dime packages and still be effective against the run or pass.

Good post. :agree:

 

[CrazyDave]

I think this is an excellent point. If we have a DB who can play safety in the base defense and is also capable of sliding down to take on three receiver sets, then we don't have to worry as much about substitutions, which makes us stronger against a no-huddle offense. This is the same reasoning behind a three-down linebacker, as it allows us to stay in our base 34 without nickel and dime packages and still be effective against the run or pass.

Good post. :agree:

BB is always a step ahead.