McCourty Talking...

[JDM]

After he came back from the knee tweak? I was just happy he was back.

 

[TKO]

After he came back from the knee tweak? I was just happy he was back.

They definitely don't need any more injuries so it was good he came back...just not next year as the starter

 

[JDM]

He's been doing a pretty respectable job for a journeyman. He's not special but he's better than Brandon Meriweather IMO, as an example.

I would love a SS first pick in the draft if the right guy's there, but if not we could do a lot worse than Gregory.

 

[TKO]

He's been doing a pretty respectable job for a journeyman. He's not special but he's better than Brandon Meriweather IMO, as an example.

I would love a SS first pick in the draft if the right guy's there, but if not we could do a lot worse than Gregory.

Don't get me wrong, I think he can be decent player as part of the overall group but I'm with you, if they can improve the starting position in the draft or free agency they should do it.

 

[JDM]

I don't think he was ever a long term consideration. He was there to be a veteran presence and fill a role while the focus has been on building other positions. I would happily keep him in a backup role even drafting a safety high.

 

[Bruschi_Warrior]

I don't think he was ever a long term consideration. He was there to be a veteran presence and fill a role while the focus has been on building other positions. I would happily keep him in a backup role even drafting a safety high.

And which safety would you draft high?

You clearly don't do any research.

 

[Drawmeomg]

I was mildly disappointed with McCourty today. Two dropped picks?

Any play a DB has his hands on the ball and the other player doesn't catch it, that's a good play. A dropped pick is disappointing but it's still a good play, just not as good as it could have been.

 

[JDM]

And which safety would you draft high?

You clearly don't do any research.

College football is a joke and unwatchable. I don't need to watch college to know our needs.

 

[JDM]

Any play a DB has his hands on the ball and the other player doesn't catch it, that's a good play. A dropped pick is disappointing but it's still a good play, just not as good as it could have been.

Of course it was still solid. But one of the two was a straight gift, and more importantly, you can't give away opportunities in the playoffs. If the ball is interceptable you need to hold on.

 

[Bruschi_Warrior]

College football is a joke and unwatchable. I don't need to watch college to know our needs.

And your knowledge of college football is a joke and the fact that you said the Patriots should draft a safety with a high pick is equally a joke and shows that you lack knowledge.

 

[JDM]

Did you read the post stating "if the right guy's there"? If you're trying to tell me there's no first round caliber safeties you're full of shit, though.

I can't watch a league with 95% of the games predetermined and no championship. It's pointless.

 

[Southieinnc]

Don't get me wrong, I think he can be decent player as part of the overall group but I'm with you, if they can improve the starting position in the draft or free agency they should do it.

The SS like Rodney Harrison appears to be a thing of the past. Teams are not looking for big, strong SS's.
Gregory is actually quite a bit like what teams are looking for at this point. I'm not sure I agree, I would love to have a (younger) Rodney Harrison on this team.

My point, Krafty, is that the position is changing and guys that are rated to be better, might not be an improvement. Gregory, like everybody else on this team, has battled injuries.

I would not be quick to make major changes in the secondary. I really believe we would have been the best secondary in NFL if not for the injuries......

 

[JDM]

No. Bare minimum Seattle shits all over us.


But Gregory isn't and never has been a long term solution to the position. He is a filler waiting for a real safety to take over.

 

[Bruschi_Warrior]

Did you read the post stating "if the right guy's there"? If you're trying to tell me there's no first round caliber safeties you're full of shit, though.

I can't watch a league with 95% of the games predetermined and no championship. It's pointless.

There are no 1st round caliber safeties Mr. Full of Shit.

 

[JDM]

Yeah, I don't believe you.

 

[Drawmeomg]

I have no idea if there are or aren't. Gregory's slot is the place they could use an upgrade in. Gregory is serviceable but not exceptional. I don't think that's news to anyone.

I dunno about best secondary in the league this year, but if they retain Talib they could make a case for it next year. Really, if Mayo and Wilfork return to form next year, they could well have a truly elite defense. They were very good before injuries derailed them.

 

[Bruschi_Warrior]

Yeah, I don't believe you.

I care.

 

[Bruschi_Warrior]

I have no idea if there are or aren't. Gregory's slot is the place they could use an upgrade in. Gregory is serviceable but not exceptional. I don't think that's news to anyone.

I dunno about best secondary in the league this year, but if they retain Talib they could make a case for it next year. Really, if Mayo and Wilfork return to form next year, they could well have a truly elite defense. They were very good before injuries derailed them.

Draw - if the Patriots were truly interested in a long-term solution at strong safety and felt that Duron Harmon wasn't the guy that they wanted at the position, then last years' draft would have been the right time to get that guy.

Swearinger, Reid and Cyprien all were available at the Patriots slot in the first round. This year, there isn't a single strong safety worth drafting inside the first two rounds, never mind in the first round.

But don't let him tell you that because he clearly believes that there is a real good strong safety prospect in this years' draft when it is clear that not only is the strong safety position the weakest position in this years' draft but there is not one future impact guy eligible at either safety position other than Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and he is a free safety (McCourty).

 

[Drawmeomg]

One thing I should point out - when I identify a team need, there are at least three ways to fill it. They can draft a player. They can sign a player. They can develop a player. Of these, the last is the most reliable.

I'd be happy to have Harmon step in as more of a full time safety if he proves he can - he's looked pretty good when he's been on the field, not perfect, some rookie mistakes, but pretty good. Harmon's more of a pure free safety, though. Frankly I'm not convinced of the value of a strong safety as a full time starter right now, though, particularly when you've got Mayo, Spikes and Hightower standing behind Wilfork and Kelly (and Armstead?) in the front 7. With that kind of thinking, might be that Harmon is the guy.

Or, as I said, Gregory is serviceable. He will always be the weakest coverage player on the field among their secondary, but he's not terrible.

 

[Bruschi_Warrior]

One thing I should point out - when I identify a team need, there are at least three ways to fill it. They can draft a player. They can sign a player. They can develop a player. Of these, the last is the most reliable.

I'd be happy to have Harmon step in as more of a full time safety if he proves he can - he's looked pretty good when he's been on the field, not perfect, some rookie mistakes, but pretty good. Harmon's more of a pure free safety, though. Frankly I'm not convinced of the value of a strong safety as a full time starter right now, though, particularly when you've got Mayo, Spikes and Hightower standing behind Wilfork and Kelly (and Armstead?) in the front 7. With that kind of thinking, might be that Harmon is the guy.

Or, as I said, Gregory is serviceable. He will always be the weakest coverage player on the field among their secondary, but he's not terrible.

Yep - Personally, I would have loved to see Cyprien slip more in the 2nd round last year because the guy is a bonafide stud at strong safety.