From the Hart: Role call! — S
Written by Andy Hart on July 21, 2010 – 11:36 am -Training camp 2010 has the makings to be one of the most competitive in recent memory in New England. Endless roster spots, roles and starting jobs will be on the line this July and August on the practice fields at Gillette Stadium. As we head toward the opening of training camp on July 29, PFW will take a closer look at some of the more competitive areas on the roster. We’ll map out the scenario and then offer our opinions on how the competition might play out. But, more importantly, we’ll open up debate to you, the reader. In the end, you make the call!
Today we take a gander at the competition surrounding Brandon Meriweather at the safety position.
On the roster: Brandon Meriweather, Patrick Chung, James Sanders, Brandon McGowan, Sergio Brown (Terrence Johnson, Bret Lockett and Ross Ventrone are listed as DBs)
Why the competition?:
Rodney Harrison’s departure a year ago left a huge hole in the New England secondary – both in terms of playing time and leadership. While Meriweather earned his first Pro Bowl trip as an injury replacement, the position remains a highly competitive battle between some pretty experienced talents.
There’s little doubt that Meriweather is a starter and one of the keys, for better or worse, to the new age Patriots defense. He’s still got room for growth, but at the current time he’s the given at the position.
The other starting job would seem to be up for grabs. Sanders (5 starts early and late) and McGowan (11 starts from late September through early December) split the duties a year ago. While Sanders is a career-Patriot who’s started 41 games for the team, McGowan was a solid surprise in his first season in New England. Early in the year he shut down opposing tight ends and brought aggressive, physical play to the field. But as a group the middle of the secondary seemed to struggle at times with communication and reliability, strengths that Sanders brought to the field in his late-season redemption. A solid tackler and underrated, conservative option at the position, Sanders enters camp looking to regain the full-time starting role he held in 2007 and 2008.
The second-year former second-round pick Chung is the big unknown in the group. After starting just one game and seeing much more playing time on special teams than defense as a rookie, Chung took the bulk of the reps next to Meriweather this spring in OTA and mini-camp action. He brings solid speed, athleticism and playmaking potential to the position — he did have two sacks and an interception in limited action last fall.
But just because Chung’s lining up with the starters in the spring doesn’t mean he’s the full-time, early season answer at the position. Bill Belichick may see both Sanders and McGowan as known commodities, possibly giving the young Chung more reps to prove what he would bring to the defense. If he maximizes those opportunities then the safety spot could be set with a pair of young guys for years to come. If Chung isn’t quite ready, then New England has two guys in Sanders and McGowan with plenty of starting experience to fall back on.
Who do you think will be the starter next to Meriweather? Will those safeties who don’t win a starting job see a lot of action on the defense? Could a guy like Sanders, who has a pretty high salary, be a surprising training camp cut or even summertime trade? Do you think the safety spot can evolve into a strength of the defense in the coming years?
Andy Hart says…
I’m a long-standing fan of Sanders. I think he’s a solid, sure-tackling safety net. He may not make big plays, but I think he saves plenty of them from happening against the Patriots defense. I’d line him up next to Meriweather and let the former first-round pick be the athletic playmaker he has the potential to be. I haven’t seen enough of Chung on defense to form a real opinion. He has all the tools and the desire. He’ll be in the mix and has a definite upside. McGowan, to me, is best served in a sub role as a guy who I believe brings diminishing returns the more he has to play. In the right spot I think he can be a complementary player on a good defense.
Erik Scalavino says…
While I still have my concerns about Meriweather’s fundamentals, I’ve no doubt he’s the only safety with a secure job. It looks like Chung will get every chance to be a starter, but until he proves himself, I remain a skeptic. McGowan is a playmaker at times, but is too inconsistent. Ironically, the most steady player, Sanders, seems like the forgotten man in this competition. But I think all four will make the team and contribute in a rotational role, much like last year.
Now that you’ve read the predictions from the PFW boys, give us your thoughts on the competition at safety with a comment below!
Posted in General |
July 21st, 2010 at 12:39 pm
I’m hoping Bill installs some kind of 3’s D with 3 DL, 3 LB and 3 S with Meriweather and Sanders in back and Chung/Mcgowan playing a rover like position between the S and LB. Sanders has the smarts and ability to be the coordinator in the back, something the DBs lacked when he wasn’t on the field. As for Chung, he posted better rookie numbers than Meriweather. It’s a hard position to come into on this team as a young guy, so here in year two I’m hoping for big things from the guy.
July 21st, 2010 at 12:52 pm
I’m surprised how reserved you were when writing about Sanders, Andy! As far as I can tell, Meriweather (one of my favorite players on the team) will be a starter, as will Sanders. Sanders seems to me to be notably better than McGowan, although the latter is not bad. Hell, Pat Chung isn’t bad either. I think he’s got great potential and could start for a number of other teams, but Meriweather is simply better than he is. We’ve probably got the best backup safeties in the league.
July 21st, 2010 at 1:29 pm
I agree al 4 will play but Chung will come thru big time this year.
July 21st, 2010 at 1:53 pm
Ah yes- more questions, but there seem to be less than the rest of the spots on the roster. If Meriweather and Chung ( yes Andy, more ‘IFs’ ) get some swagga ala Harrison/Lawyer we could be looking decent at that spot. I don’t know what Milloy or Harrison’s 1-2nd year looked like or were they spot on aggressive and competent leaders on the field out of the gate?
July 21st, 2010 at 2:18 pm
I think all of these guys can play. I look for big gains out of Chung. He’s physical, healthy and ready to unload on all comers. Sanders plays tough and Merriweather can play better. This is definitely a position of strength.
July 21st, 2010 at 2:28 pm
I am a big fan of Merriweather’s. I hope he starts proving his critics wrong this year and keeps making the big plays without giving up even bigger ones. He seems to like the addition of Corwin Brown to the fold so hopefully the two of them working together will net some positive results. Great expectations for Chung too. He could be something special.
July 21st, 2010 at 2:31 pm
To me, all of the safties on the roster seem to have some major weakness:
Meriweather - misses too many open field tackles and bites on play action fakes.
Chung - gets burnt in pass coverage
Sanders - step too slow, seems to makes tackles after the opponent gains lot of yards. Both in running and passing game.
Hopfully the addition of Corwin to the coaching staff will help to hide some of the weakness of this group.
July 21st, 2010 at 2:44 pm
Sanders learned well from Harrison and is more then just a player he keeps the secondary together and in right position to make plays when he is out there. Just look at last year when he played and when he was not playing.
July 21st, 2010 at 2:50 pm
Andy - haven’t read a word of this, but wanted to congratulate you on your appearance on Toucher & Rich this morning. Good stuff, and a nice contrast to Breer, who was on yesterday and babbled nonsensically so long that they starting playing music over him a couple times. (It’s worth finding on their website.)
Also, if you guys have another hour-long debate on Brady’s dedication, I swear I’ll pull this podcast over..
- KW
July 21st, 2010 at 3:01 pm
I would suspect that james and meriweather get the starting jobs, with chung competing for playing time, esp if one starts to slip, unless someone gets injured in training camp, then it’s anyones guess. Sanders and Meriweather will be Game 1 starters.
Mick I think your a bit quick to judge chung as we haven’t seen him play enough.
July 21st, 2010 at 3:12 pm
All four guys are great options. Aside from Meriweather, I dont think you can say anyone is a starter. As a matter of fact I think that there are only 5 guys on the defense (Meriweather, Mayo, Wilfork, Warren, and Bodden) who can truly be called starters. Belichick is a defensive mastermind and he will fill in the rest of the “starting lineup” with whoever matches up the best with the next opponent. If we play the Falcons Id want McGowan to start to shut down TE Tony Gonzalez but if we were playing the Jaguars I’d want sure tackling Sanders in the to stop Maurice Jones Drew. Chung still has to prove a little bit to show which situation best suits him and if he can do both maybe we can have six locked starters.
July 21st, 2010 at 3:32 pm
Well as a die hard patriots fan I strongly feel sanders is the guy! He’s a hard hitter and a silent assasin, I love meriwheather the best safety in the AFC east by far. So I love the understimation by the media,etc on wheather we can still compete! The pats didnt need help to get into the playoffs like some other teams in the AFC eats. Pats are still the beast of the east in my estimation 14-2 is my prediction this year folks!!!!
July 21st, 2010 at 3:42 pm
The safety position, much like the rest of the Patriot’s defense has many questions, but also as much potential. The question is, will the majority of these players pan out? Meriweather is a great safety but has a huge flaw: missing tackles trying to go for the huge hit. Sanders is a decent safety but not a playmaker (this defense lacks playmakers). McGowan is a playmaker but inconsistenly. I can’t figure out why so many people are saying Chung is a great safety, we haven’t seen enough from him! He has all the tools: speed, strength, football intelligence…but we haven’t seen enough on the field! I love his blitzing ability though (laid out Chad Henne last year). Lets wait and see how he pans out before we say “Chung will come thru big time this year” or Chung - gets burnt in pass coverage”.
July 21st, 2010 at 3:47 pm
Mick was the most correct out of all the comments so far. McGowan was one of the best safties in the league last year. The only reason he didn’t get the nod over Meriweather was because he didn’t have the interceptions. He is like a poor man’s Polamalu. Give McGowan more reps and let him start at strong safety. Sanders shouldn’t start. he is slow and unspectacular as well as being a liability. All he does is make one play often enough to stay on the squad. Oh, and his knowledge of the defense. Which, by the way, any of the safties can be just as fluent if they last as long as he has. After Eugene Wilson left, the world got to see what he truly was. Want him to help out in leadership and training? give him a clipboard and a cap. All this talk about Rodney? Imagine how many yards the Pats would have had back (excluding his big plays (cough SB42 even though it was Samuel’s fault for taking a risk) and leadership) if he wasn’t on the team in the last few years. How many unnecessary roughness penalties did he rack up being the “Assassin”? Yeah, he made pics and caused fumbles. But, all I remember him doing is running of at the mouth and getting burnt/ outjumped by wideout fill in the blank with all most any name in the league. Those are the moments people remember.
July 21st, 2010 at 4:11 pm
Albert must not have watched any Patriot games last year or is really McGowans relative
July 21st, 2010 at 5:19 pm
I don’t think the Pats have anybody really outstanding in the D-backfield, though they have a couple guys you can rely on–usually. Sanders is okay once he gets his hands on a ball carrier, but still takes bad angles in the open field. Meriweather isn’t as good as he ought to be given his draft level. The Pats have lost (in the near term) the competition with Indy at maintaining their squad while getting late-round drafts every year. But that can change rapidly; I’m expecting Pats to bounce back next year with a good draft and a key free-agent signing when Moss leaves. Meanwhile I hope I’m just wrong, and the defense shows serious improvement this year.
July 21st, 2010 at 5:25 pm
I agree, McGowan should start over Sanders. This defense needs to make more plays. However Sanders is a great backup. Meriweather concerns me. As one of the best defensive players, he is not reliable enough for me. I have not seen enough of Chung, but doesn’t he look at little small to scare anyone?
July 21st, 2010 at 5:26 pm
Dylan/Dave you are correct, it is bit early to say “Chung - gets burnt in pass coverage”. However, in the preseason game last year, it was very dispointing to see the Patriots first pick of the draft getting lit-up by a rookie WR who is no longer in the NFL.
July 21st, 2010 at 6:43 pm
As a pat fan you want chung to start to his potential but if he doesnt go straight then go with sanders i feel more comfortable with him than mcgowan and i feel meriweather gets up to 6 or 7 picks this year…now if only he could learn how to tackle…i swear if i see one missed tackle from mayo or meriweather…im gonna blow up….
July 21st, 2010 at 9:21 pm
As much as I like Sanders, its Chung who needs to start.
He was essentially our 1st round pick in 09′ so we need to see him make an impact this year.
I’m excited about his speed and athleticism and hope he has a big camp that will entrench him into the starting lineup.
July 21st, 2010 at 9:41 pm
Hi Andy!! Between PFW, Pats website, and NFL (TV), I really hope I’m getting ALL the Pats news I can. Really enjoy your articles, but to get off the subject for a moment, last year most teams, after the first 14 games, seem comfortable “resting” their QB’s” for the last 2 games. If the season ends up going to 18 games, what are all these teams gonna do, have two main QB’s on the team??? I know it sounds silly, but I’m really, really curious as to what will take place. Thanks!!
July 21st, 2010 at 9:44 pm
I agree with Eric with safety as your last line of defence tackling is a must.R. h. put fear in everybody I dont see meriweather doing that yet. Seems like he wants to be friends with everyone.Be friends when the war is over.Like Eric said chung or sanders.
July 21st, 2010 at 10:20 pm
I think Chung has what it takes to be the all over the field playmaker the Patriots lacked in the backend last year. I’m just not sure that this year will be the year we see it all from him.
McGowan last year was coming off of a year where he didn’t really play due to injury and I think that has more to do with his mid season drop-off. The talent is in his court, where are the “another year in the system predictions for this guy?
July 21st, 2010 at 11:00 pm
James Sanders should be the starter PERIOD! Some how he got in BB’s dog-house last season and BB started Brandon McGowen, who’s not bad but not a Sanders! James Sanders learned his craft from Rodney Harrison for the love of God! There’s no way Sanders shouldn’t be starting!
July 22nd, 2010 at 2:30 am
i dont know what to say but i have to give the SS spot to Chung, he is a better tackler and has the intimidation factor which i dont see in Meriweather(he is a better FS). I have a gut feel that Chung has the tools to be a Troy Polumalu type of Safety, he just needs experience.
July 22nd, 2010 at 2:32 am
Chung hits hard and has great pursuit from what i’ve seen from the little plays he had last season. He seems hungry and wants to start so hopefully he’ll have the chance this upcoming season.
July 22nd, 2010 at 3:18 am
My predictions is he can make the pro bowl over any other DB on the team if he works hard and takes on a leadership role. Mike doesn’t watch many Pats games. Was it Chung or McGowan who shut down Dallas Clark?? Either way I hope both of them make it in the rotation and Sanders ends up being a reserve option / special teams player. Heck, I’d rather have Sam Aiken back there. He’s more athletic than Sanders!
July 22nd, 2010 at 1:50 pm
this position is pretty solid! i would like to see chung start just based on his athleticism! but he may not be ready. Sanders can make starts and is a very capable strong safety! i look for mcgowan to be on the field during nickel situations to take on the tight end based on his size! this a great group that im excited to see on the field.
July 22nd, 2010 at 4:02 pm
Interesting idea Pascal.. I can’t think of an example of this defense in use though. Could you inform of a team doing this successfully?
July 22nd, 2010 at 11:02 pm
In the dim moments of human memory I seem to recall that Chung was postured in his draft as the “sticker” who might best play strong safety as the Rodney Harrison replacement, while his potential at deep safety was subpar. Somewhere, it seems, Merriweather was a corner moved to deep safety in the pros because he was big enough to deliver a hit over the top while being “CB quick” enough to waltz sideline to sideline, and in rotation on a CB blitz a competent cover guy for the absent CB.
Seems like it’s Chung’s job at strong safety if he earns it. Merriwether the deep safety unless he has to perform in the strong safety slot. The other two are very welcome as injury back-ups and fresh legs for all the running being done out there, and should see good playing time.
Probably no one gives Chung a prayer at deep safety in the pros…..so it’s strong safety starter….or continued back-up and learner….but deep safety is out as a career option.
July 23rd, 2010 at 12:12 am
This Unit will become strong! BB has been investing alot of draft picks in this area within these last few years! He was more than prepared! Be raedy to be amazed this december!
July 23rd, 2010 at 12:17 am
Zack and Pascal. College teams use formations of that sort… Its possible in the N>F>L but not as an every down soloution.. If that was the case, Power run teams will lick their chops and relish match ups of this caliber. Excellent idea though. I love it!
July 24th, 2010 at 3:54 pm
Like I said before, SS James Sanders and FS Brandon Meriweather need to be the starters! Stats show we’re a better defense with SS James Sanders on the field! Being the fact Rodney Harrison trained him,he’s like having a coach on the field! Brandon McGowen had some good games last season,but faded big time in the last 5 games! Enter Sanders and the D gets better,lower averages across the board! Somehow #36 James Sanders got in Belicheks dog-house early on,and BB went with McGowen.
Pro Bowl #31 Brandon Meriweather is our starter at FS,period! He’s been working with Ravens FS Ed Reed this off-season on tackling,his only weak point of his game,that will help big time this season!
July 27th, 2010 at 10:01 am
Like Joseph said, it’s not an every down formation, but when you’re going against the Colts, or Bolts, or Cowboys, it’s a way to run like a strong nickel. These guys are big enough to take down an RB but quick enough to cover a Dallas Clark, it’s a way to combine the speed and strength to stop the draw and cover the seams.
July 29th, 2010 at 1:38 pm
McGowan is that he’s a great run-defender/tackler (no way Rice gets his 83-yard playoff TD if McGowan is on the field) and great at covering short routes “in the box”. He compensates, in that regard, for some of Meriweather’s deficiencies. However, if the situation draws him deeper (especially wildcat-type plays), the entire secondary gets screwed up by his very poor coverage and communication. Sanders, as more of a “FS-type” is nowhere near as “thrilling” in the box, but is much better overall in coverage and will be a superior option partnering with Meriweather, *IF* the front seven improves its run defense and in the box coverage, thus reducing the need for a “run specialist safety” like McGowan.
Chung has shown that he MAY be able to handle the in the box stuff this year as well as McGowan has, but he’ll need to exceed Sanders in coverage in order to win the “starting” SS spot, or Chung will be relegated to a situational role.
My major concern is the lack of depth at FS behind Meriweather. None of the other safety candidates appear to have nearly his range or ball skills. That probably means, if Meriweather gets injured, Sanders takes over. But it may also mean re-purposing a CB, at least in part. And this is where the McCourty pick may have some “hidden” value. He likely has better range than Sanders. If his ball skills and tackling ability are as good as his scouting reports, we could see him in some spot duty back there.