Safety Conundrum

[VrabelJr]

Could you expand on this? I don't recall McCourty playing in the box very often.

Football has evolved even more since McCourty retired, and we likely accommodated his skill set as he declined, but with the change to attacking more in space you can’t dedicate a player to one third of the field that rarely sees action or have a SS who is a liability against WRs. Both safeties need to be versatile or else you get picked apart.

 

[mgteich]

Mapu is likely battling that tease of a player Raekwon McMillan for the Mack Wilson role. Wilson played 305 snaps last year. If Mapu can get those in addition to some he already was taking while adding more on Special teams, I think that would be excellent progress.

What role would Takitaki have?

 

[DaBruinz]

Could you expand on this? I don't recall McCourty playing in the box very often.

McCourty lined up in the box more than you think:

2022 - 204/1097 (18.6%)
2021 - 203/1074 (18.9%)
2020 - 273/960 (28.4%)
2019 - 343/1007 (34%)
2018 - 349/1183 (29.5%)

NOTE: First number is year. Second number is number of snaps in the box. Third is the total defensive snaps McCourty Took.

McCourty clearly played less in the BOX once Peppers joined the team..

 

[DaBruinz]

What role would Takitaki have?

Don't know. It all depends on making the team.. He is also vying for that role and that of back-up to Bentley and Tavai.

Pats need at LEAST 4 LBs possibly 5 with the 5th being primarily STs. The question remains whether McMillan can stay health and produce.

 

[captain stone]

These two are likely to be beaten out for the 5 top CB jobs, so they will be tried out elsewhere. Bolden has the advantage of being a kick returner. Wade has the advantage of being experienced in the Defense. Perhaps being able to be a free safety will help either Wade or Dial make the 53.

LOCKS: Gonzo, Jones, Jones, Peppers, Dugger, Hawkins
MOST LIKELY BACKUPS: 2 of Wilson, Austin and Bolden
POSSIBLE #9 or #10 DB's: Wilson, Austin, Bolden, Dial, Wade, Bledsoe

As of today, my preferred 10 DBs are:

Gonzo - MJones - JJones - Wilson - Austin - Dial

Peppers - Dugger - Hawkins - Wade

roster filler/future practice squad: Bolden, Bedsore, Hearn

 

[TheRainMaker]

I am kinda surprised they didn't pick up a FS in free agency since there were quite a few really good ones in free agency and the market was down on them.

Would you have let Dugger walk, let Peppers take his spot and sign a FS instead?

 

[mgteich]

Don't know. It all depends on making the team.. He is also vying for that role and that of back-up to Bentley and Tavai.

Pats need at LEAST 4 LBs possibly 5 with the 5th being primarily STs. The question remains whether McMillan can stay health and produce.

Are you suggesting that the team would likely consider cutting Takitaki and absorb $3M of dead money?

I suggest that Takitaki is a lock along with Tavai and Bentley.

I think that you have suggested before that Elliss is the likely Ster. Last year, we had Ellis and Board.

I guess that leaves one open spot. Who was that last year? Was it really Board?

I think of Takitaki as replacement for Mack Wilson.
=========================

Locks outside are Judon, Uche and Jennings. IS there another roster spot?

 

[Rob0729]

Would you have let Dugger walk, let Peppers take his spot and sign a FS instead?

I would have moved Duggar back to his more natural position and they would have a wealth of talent at the safety position.

 

[DaBruinz]

As of today, my preferred 10 DBs are:

Gonzo - MJones - JJones - Wilson - Austin - Dial

Peppers - Dugger - Hawkins - Wade

roster filler/future practice squad: Bolden, Bedsore, Hearn

The fact you think Dial and Wade are ahead of Bolden just leaves everyone shaking their head.