Patriots 2013 Training Camp, Safeties, A Position Of Strength

[PatsFans.com Article]

Patriots 2013 Training Camp, Safeties, A Position Of Strength
By: Steve Balestrieri

Wilson's signing during the free agency period was very much under the radar...

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[AzPatsFan]

I seem to recall a lot of criticism last year about drafting a complete CB/S, from a major college program, Tavon Wilson.

After a typical rookie year we have this:

Tavon Wilson- Last season’s surprise selection in the draft provided some solid play and significant playing time especially early in the season.
Wilson, whose selection was panned by many of the experts last season, had a pretty solid rookie campaign providing 4 interceptions. He also was victimized at times as rookies are prone to do but overall his play was a positive.

So much for the know-it-all fools, who think because they scanned a draft periodical from some other self apointed clown, that they know more than GM Bill Belichick.

 

[jmt57]

Last time I thought the Patriots were looking like they had solid depth at safety heading into trainin camp they released both James Sanders and Brandon Meriweather before the season began.



Ever since then that position has been the weakest link on the team. Hopefully the productivity at safety will be much improved this season.

 

[NEPettyOfficer72]

This is the best depth that we've had since 2007 at safety easily. Devin McCourty at FS is a ball hawk, and has very good range. He is one of the best when he is at that position. Adrian Wilson, a pickup that's underrated and underappreciated I believe until August. He is only 33, not over the hill and still a tremendous physical presence both in coverage and against the run. I don't know what its going to take for people to believe me, but coaches and players both know. We have one of the best safeties of this generation playing for us and he is NOT washed up. He may not be what he once was in his prime but he still offers playmaking ability, tenacity, experience and plenty left in the tank, and we can maximize that by utilizing him correctly. And who better to do that then Bill Belichick. Look what he did with Rodney Harrison, and people thought he was done until he came to that Patriots. He was playing with a hurt shoulder last season and shouldn't even been out there. As for Tavon Wilson, he has a very good rookie season overall with 4 INTs, which you don't see very often. I like his ball skills and instincts, as he will improve. Steve Gregory is solid in the slot and a smart player, not bad at all. He is better than many safeties in this league. Overall, great depth and between Devin McCourty, Adrian Wilson and Tavon Wilson, lots of talent and experience. Rookie Duron Harmon add quality depth and ST.

Just for those that think Adrian Wilson is old and done..... he is only 33

Rod Woodson - probowl age 37, and superbowl
Ronnie Lott - probowl age 33
Brian Dawkins - probowl age 35 and 36
Rodney Harrison - probowl age 32, and superbowl, 2007 age 35
Darren Woodson - probowl age 33
Leroy Butler - probowl age 34
Darren Sharper - probowl age 34, superbowl
Ken Houston - probowl age 35
Steve Atwater - probowl and superbowl, age 35
Ed Reed - probowl and superbowl, age 33

Remember, the last time he was fully healthy, in 2011 was pretty recent and is also the season where he went to the probowl and was an all-pro and also joined the 20/20 club where only few safeties have gone.

Praised from both coaches Pete Carroll, Jeff Fisher and Safety Rodney Harrison. I'm telling you this guy still has it.

 

[BradyFTW!]

I gotta say, I disagree with this premise. We have one elite safety and a bunch of guys who we have no idea if they're capable of starting. For safety to be a position of strength, I would think that we'd need to have two guys who we know are capable starters.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

I don't know how this can be labeled an area of strength... We have one guy who we are sure of is a starting caliber safety, McCourty. The rest are question marks, sure guys like Tavon and Adrian Wilson could make it a strength but we have no way of knowing that right now. Gregory is good as depth but clearly not the answer.

 

[NEPettyOfficer72]

I don't know how this can be labeled an area of strength... We have one guy who we are sure of is a starting caliber safety, McCourty. The rest are question marks, sure guys like Tavon and Adrian Wilson could make it a strength but we have no way of knowing that right now. Gregory is good as depth but clearly not the answer.

Breaking Down Adrian Wilson's Future Impact with the New England Patriots | Bleacher Report

 

[supafly]

I think the secondary as a whole has better depth than we've seen in a little while, but I agree with others. I'd hardly call the position of safety a definitely strong point at this current moment.

We have some unknowns with all of A.Wilson, T.Wilson, and Harmon; and Gregory is what he is--which is a capable #3 or #4 safety, nothing more.

If any of the 2 Wilson's or Harmon can step up then it very well may be a position of strength, but until then it's still an unknown position with potential.

 

[Deus Irae]

I seem to recall a lot of criticism last year about drafting a complete CB/S, from a major college program, Tavon Wilson.

After a typical rookie year we have this:

Tavon Wilson- Last season’s surprise selection in the draft provided some solid play and significant playing time especially early in the season.
Wilson, whose selection was panned by many of the experts last season, had a pretty solid rookie campaign providing 4 interceptions. He also was victimized at times as rookies are prone to do but overall his play was a positive.

So much for the know-it-all fools, who think because they scanned a draft periodical from some other self apointed clown, that they know more than GM Bill Belichick.

Wilson sucked for most of last season, and he certainly didn't do anything to prove his detractors wrong.

 

[mgteich]

The safety position was quite weak last year. Wilson replaced Chung and now this is an area of strength? Maybe! Maybe not.

 

[Brady6]

If any of the 2 Wilson's or Harmon can step up then it very well may be a position of strength, but until then it's still an unknown position with potential.

I hope someone steps up... All these random safeties have really been messing up my mock draft contest results.

I find my self googling "safeties most likely to be non combine invites" in preparation for 2014.

 

[mgteich]

Rugby players, lacrosse players, team captains and Rutgers players should provide a solid list to start with.

I hope someone steps up... All these random safeties have really been messing up my mock draft contest results.

I find my self googling "safeties most likely to be non combine invites" in preparation for 2014.

 

[NEPettyOfficer72]

Adrian Wilson step up? Disrespectful lol to the game, he has nothing else to prove other than the fact that he can still be a great leader, and presence on defense. And the guy wants a ring to add to his resume and to prove to people that he still has it, NOW THAT HE IS HEALTHY. Every championship team has at least 2 great veterans on their team. You cannot win championships on defense with just a bunch of young and fresh talent but no veteran leadership, just like Bruschi said. We had McGinest, Vrabel, all of these experienced guys with KNOWLEDGE that helped us build a dynasty. And most of them came from teams who said that they we "No Good anymore, and too old and said that they were done" (Rodney Harrison SD, Roman Phifer STL, Ted Washington CHI, Bobby Hamilton etc). Trust me, when I say that Adrian Wilson will come to play and contribute to the team any way we can. One of the great safeties of this generation. That young man Tavon Wilson if anything, needs to prove that he become a playmaker and be consistent. He showed flashes, but experience always beats out flashes when it comes to championship defense, just ask the Ravens last year as much as I hate them.

 

[supafly]

Adrian Wilson step up? Disrespectful lol to the game, he has nothing else to prove other than the fact that he can still be a great leader, and presence on defense. And the guy wants a ring to add to his resume and to prove to people that he still has it, NOW THAT HE IS HEALTHY. Every championship team has at least 2 great veterans on their team. You cannot win championships on defense with just a bunch of young and fresh talent but no veteran leadership, just like Bruschi said. We had McGinest, Vrabel, all of these experienced guys with KNOWLEDGE that helped us build a dynasty. And most of them came from teams who said that they we "No Good anymore, and too old and said that they were done" (Rodney Harrison SD, Roman Phifer STL, Ted Washington CHI, Bobby Hamilton etc). Trust me, when I say that Adrian Wilson will come to play and contribute to the team any way we can. One of the great safeties of this generation. That young man Tavon Wilson if anything, needs to prove that he become a playmaker and be consistent. He showed flashes, but experience always beats out flashes when it comes to championship defense, just ask the Ravens last year as much as I hate them.

I agree with some of your thoughts re: Tavon Wilson, but he still looked very green. I don't think we can judge one way or the other at this point in time to be honest.

The concern with Adrian Wilson is that he is not very good in coverage, hurt shoulder or not...

 

[NEPettyOfficer72]

I agree with some of your thoughts re: Tavon Wilson, but he still looked very green. I don't think we can judge one way or the other at this point in time to be honest.

The concern with Adrian Wilson is that he is not very good in coverage, hurt shoulder or not...

May not be but he has always has a knack for making BIG interceptions at the most opportunistic times to close games out. And besides, he'll being playing beside one of the best ball hawks in the NFL, so that will compliment his game. You have the enforcer, and the reader.

 

[Deus Irae]

May not be but he has always has a knack for making BIG interceptions at the most opportunistic times to close games out. And besides, he'll being playing beside one of the best ball hawks in the NFL, so that will compliment his game. You have the enforcer, and the reader.

Adrian Wilson will turn 34 in October. He has had more than 2 INTs in a season just once since 2006, and he's totalled 4 INTs in his last 3 seasons, including just 1 INT in each of his last two seasons. His tackle numbers, and his forced fumble numbers, are also down significantly. He's a shell of his former self.

The question is whether or not BB will be able to scheme it well enough to fit him in, likely by using him as the "big nickel" guy against the larger pass catching TEs, and on obvious run downs.

This team's safety position could be fine, and it could be disastrous. Only time will tell. The OP is being extremely optimistic in calling it a position of strength.

 

[NEPettyOfficer72]

Adrian Wilson will turn 34 in October. He has had more than 2 INTs in a season just once since 2006, and he's totalled 4 INTs in his last 3 seasons, including just 1 INT in each of his last two seasons. His tackle numbers, and his forced fumble numbers, are also down significantly. He's a shell of his former self.

The question is whether or not BB will be able to scheme it well enough to fit him in, likely by using him as the "big nickel" guy against the larger pass catching TEs, and on obvious run downs.

This team's safety position could be fine, and it could be disastrous. Only time will tell. The OP is being extremely optimistic in calling it a position of strength.

I don't think it could be disastrous bud. Far worse talent at the position on other teams. You seen what McCourty can do at the Free Safety position last year when he was there. That alone should indicate to you that the position will be better. And I know the OP is optimistic, no need to remind me .

Oh and by the way...

Probowl (2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011)
All Pro (2006, 2008, 2009, 2011)

You said since 2006? Are INTs a true measuring stick to great safety play? Or for fantasy football players.

The guy has 839 tackles, 54.0 tackles for a loss, 22.5 sacks, 26 interceptions, 13 forced fumbles, 6 fumble recoveries, 82 passes defended, 4 return touchdowns, and a blocked punt over his career and I guarantee you he didn't just stop at 2006 for him to make it to the probowl and allpro teams 5 teams since that year in between now until his injury in late 2011. I also promise you that he didn't just make the 25/25 and 20/20 club just from his play starting in 2002 to 2006. It takes more than 4 years to accumulate all of that.

I'm not saying he will be what he was in his prime, but what I am saying is that he will be a big help and contribution to not only just the secondary, but defense as a whole, both physically and mentally. That's exactly what we need, is a VETERAN presence in that secondary and on defense.

 

[Deus Irae]

I don't think it could be disastrous bud. Far worse talent at the position on other teams.

Not necessarily. That depends on what improvement the other Wilson givves.

You seen what McCourty can do at the Free Safety position last year when he was there. That alone should indicate to you that the position will be better.

Why? Other than your propensity to see nothing but HOFers on the Patriots roster, why/

Oh and by the way...

Probowl (2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011)
All Pro (2006, 2008, 2009, 2011)

You said since 2006? Are INTs a true measuring stick to great safety play? Or for fantasy football players.

You're the one who was talking about INTs. I just noted the numbers in response to your post.

The guy has 839 tackles, 54.0 tackles for a loss, 22.5 sacks, 26 interceptions, 13 forced fumbles, 6 fumble recoveries, 82 passes defended, 4 return touchdowns, and a blocked punt over his career and I guarantee you he didn't just stop at 2006 for him to make it to the probowl and allpro teams 5 teams since that year in between now until his injury in late 2011. I also promise you that he didn't just make the 25/25 and 20/20 club just from his play starting in 2002 to 2006. It takes more than 4 years to accumulate all of that.

I'm not saying he will be what he was in his prime, but what I am saying is that he will be a big help and contribution to not only just the secondary, but defense as a whole, both physically and mentally. That's exactly what we need, is a VETERAN presence in that secondary and on defense.

He's a guy who's numbers show clear decline. He's a guy who's coaching staff showed significantly less faith in him. Is it possible that he's got more in the tank? Sure. It's also possible that he's Shawn Springs, too.

 

[NEPettyOfficer72]

Not necessarily. That depends on what improvement the other Wilson givves.



Why? Other than your propensity to see nothing but HOFers on the Patriots roster, why/



You're the one who was talking about INTs. I just noted the numbers in response to your post.



He's a guy who's numbers show clear decline. He's a guy who's coaching staff showed significantly less faith in him. Is it possible that he's got more in the tank? Sure. It's also possible that he's Shawn Springs, too.

Propensity to see nothing but HOFers? How did me saying Devin McCourty's play at free safety improving the position is me wanting to have HOFers all over the Patriots roster? No one said anything about Adrian Wilson and HOFers, but I did say that he will make a big contribution, maybe not at an allpro level any more but give a big lift to the defense wherever he can. And yes, my point was that INTs don't tell how good a safety is or whether or not he is on a decline. And yes, its possible that he is a Shawn Spring but its also possible that he is better than Patrick Chung or whoever else has played that position since Rodney Harrison

 

[supafly]

Propensity to see nothing but HOFers? How did me saying Devin McCourty's play at free safety improving the position is me wanting to have HOFers all over the Patriots roster?

I would greatly assume that he is referring to your threads started/posts regarding a constant sense of hopeful optmisim, where just about every player on the team is a supposed probowler.

There's nothing wrong with showing a sense of hope--hell, most of us are hopeful, but you also have to be realistic at the same time.