The Pats Have a Coaching Problem

And it’s in the secondary. I guess Josh Boyer’s the cornerback coach now? Whoever that is. I think he had been the defensive backs coach, so maybe that’s a demotion. Regardless, the reality is since Eric Mangini (I know, I know) left, the Pats secondary has been pretty scary, and I’m not so sure it’s a lack of talent.

Consider: what’s the one consistent thread with Patriot players? They improve. Hell, in some areas such as the offensive line, we’re confident that if the Pats can find five humans, then Dante will “coach them up” into a solid unit.

Not in the secondary. There, you find guys going backwards. Eugene Wilson: rising star! Fell off a cliff. Darius Butler. McCourty. Now Dowling. ESPN Boston today:

New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

“…Butler was a second-round pick of the Patriots in 2009 who contributed his rookie season (14 games, 5 starts, 3 interceptions) and started the first two games of the 2010 season before being benched and hardly contributing after that.

"Drafted in the second round of the 2011 draft, cornerback Ras-I Dowling could very well be following a similar path...”

Can’t say I have the solution, but it sure seems like there’s a problem.

It's a sobering thought when you realize that Asante Samuel was our last very, very good DB.

I still have hope for McCourty and Dowling. McCourty wasn't as bad as many made out on SNF.

ausbacker said:

McCourty wasn't as bad as many made out on SNF.

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Yeah, McCourty was the best defensive player until the last drive.

Isn't that the scary part though. McC was not our worst DB on Sunday night.

Is the criteria for drafting DB's the issue. Are the Pats constantly looking for guys who look like they will be able to absorb BB's multiple defensive schemes and become system wiz kids? Does athleticism fall by the wayside in pursuit of guys that can absorb all of this information and employ it on Sundays? Doesn't it seem like when an athletic play needs to be made, that is where our DB's tend to fall down, literally?

or....


Are they exemplary athletes when they are drafted and does the intense concentration and focus on learning and employing all of BB's intricate schemes take its toll in the player's ability to both focus on absorbing all this data and maintaining athletic skills at a very high level. Their ball handling generally stinks and they seem awfully prone to trip over their own two feet at the worst moments.

Must be something. Food for thought.

can't believe mccourty isn't in the hall of fame yet

Give Seattle's secondary coach a blank check.

Sciz said:

Yeah, McCourty was the best defensive player until the last drive.

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I thought McCourty played a more than decent game until he gave up the costly DPI.

aluminum seats said:

There, you find guys going backwards. Eugene Wilson: rising star! Fell off a cliff. Darius Butler. Deivn McCourty. Now Ras-I Dowling.

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Add Brandon Meriweather, Terrence Wheatley, Jonathan Wilhite to the list of defensive backs.

ausbacker said:

I thought McCourty played a more than decent game until he gave up the costly DPI.

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Well, there was that and the 24 yarder to start the drive, which I'm pretty sure was on him too. He broke up 4 passes, just not the last two.

Sciz said:

Yeah, McCourty was the best defensive player until the last drive.

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People you need to stop making excuses for McCourty his rookie season was clearly some weird fluke. When the Ravens needed to make plays in the 4th quarter who did they decide go after ,and this happened all of last season. Teams analyzed his rookie season and clearly found major holes in his game as evidenced by how last year Detroit went aggressively after him in the preseason and the rest of the NFL for all of last season and he has never adjusted.If a corner is any good teams don't target him in vital game situations .That kind of treatment is reserved for scrubs and green rookies.

I don't want to hear about his first two games this season.One against a first game starter and another against Kevin ******ing Kolb where he had over the top safety help for the whole game.He meets a legit QB and he is lit up.The guy is not a starting caliber CB.

looks like bad drafting rather than bad coaching

kudzif said:

People you need to stop making excuses for McCourty his rookie season was clearly some weird fluke. When the Ravens needed to make plays in the 4th quarter who did they decide go after ,and this happened all of last season. Teams analyzed his rookie season and clearly found major holes in his game as evidenced by how last year Detroit went aggressively after him in the preseason and the rest of the NFL for all of last season and he has never adjusted.If a corner is any good teams don't target him in vital game situations .That kind of treatment is reserved for scrubs and green rookies.

I don't want to hear about his first two games this season.One against a first game starter and another against Kevin ******ing Kolb where he had over the top safety help for the whole game.He meets a legit QB and he is lit up.The guy is not a starting caliber CB.

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That doesn't make what you quoted not true.

aluminum seats said:

Regardless, the reality is since Eric Mangini (I know, I know) left, the Pats secondary has been pretty scary, and I’m not so sure it’s a lack of talent.

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I don't believe that is reality. Mangini was here in 2005 still coaching and still in charge of defensive backs (though that was also his only season with the Pats as DC). He had Joel Collier as Asst. DB Coach.

That season, 2005, was probably the worst defense of the Belichick era except maybe 2000 (and I say maybe because the 2000 team was bad but mostly because of the offense) in my opinion. That team gave up so many big plays it was ridiculous, especially in the passing game.

So I don't think you can say that. 2005 the DBs were bad. Since that time, they've had Top 5 defenses some years. Even a defense since that time one season that lead the NFL in scoring average, a marked improvement clearly from Mangini's last year here in 2005. So tying it to his departure is just wrong.

J D Sal

Asante was a one trick pony. I'd rather have McCourty. Besides, I thought he looked pretty good the other night. Unfortunately, he didnt play to that level the whole game, but neither did the rest of em.

nashvillepatsfan said:

Asante was a one trick pony. I'd rather have McCourty. Besides, I thought he looked pretty good the other night. Unfortunately, he didnt play to that level the whole game, but neither did the rest of em.

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McCourty over Asante? LOL

good luck with your pass defense goals of 2012

yes, Asante gambles and occasionally gets burned but he is 10x the playmaker/corner McCourty is or will ever be.

n1e said:

McCourty over Asante? LOL

good luck with your pass defense goals of 2012

yes, Asante gambles and occasionally gets burned but he is 10x the playmaker/corner McCourty is or will ever be.

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Do you have anything to back up this prediction?

nashvillepatsfan said:

Do you have anything to back up this prediction?

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nope, but give it till the end of the season, maybe sooner. McCourty will be benched then in a couple years will be nothing more then a journeyman cornerback looking for a job.

His Rookie year was an absolute fluke, you DON'T fall off that bad from your rookie to sophomore to junior year. You SHOULD be improving.

n1e said:

McCourty over Asante? LOL

good luck with your pass defense goals of 2012

yes, Asante gambles and occasionally gets burned but he is 10x the playmaker/corner McCourty is or will ever be.

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aware, srs

Pass Rush deserves some of the blame.


Where was Ninkovich all game?

Actually, where has Ninkovich been all season?!?!

TriplecHamp said:

aware, srs

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aware me

10char: GJDM