PatsPropaganda

The Patriots defensive backs are a young, talented group, but is still unproven in big games and on the road.

For cornerbacks, Leigh Bodden was re-signed to a multi year deal, if nothing else he is a solid piece in the puzzle of creating the Belichick Defense 2.0. Darius Butler is a promising young player, said by Mike Reiss to be “ready to take the next step”. Devin McCourty is the first round pick, athletic and physical. Jonathan Wilhite and Terrence Wheatley are in the make or break years, though Wilhite is developing into a solid slot corner. The Patriots went out of their way to keep Kyle Arrington from signing with Cleveland off the practice squad. He was a special teams demon. Can he contribute as a corner? That will be something to follow.

For safeties, Brandon Meriweather is an every down player. Patrick Chung was being used as a “swiss army knife” all over the field. He seemed to be the first stringer over James Sanders, the calming veteran presence. Lastly is Brandon McGowan who flashed some playmaking abilities early on in 2009, but faded down the stretch. There could be a surprise cut from this group in either Sanders or McGowan. 

PatsPropaganda Depth Chart (as of 6/20/10)

RCB – Bodden, Wheatley

LCB – Butler, McCourty

Nickel – Wilhite, Wheatley

Dime – McCourty, Arrington

FS – Meriweather, Sanders

SS – Chung, McGowan

We now enter the final calm before the NFL season starts, the last month when everyone, including reporters go on vacation. The NFL is darkest just before the dawn of a new season falls.

With that in mind we’ve gotten a glimpse of who’s working where and what we can expect to look for in training camp. We start with what will surely be the most interesting of camp battles, the linebackers.

Bill Belichick built his championship defenses at the Giants and Patriots around it’s linebacker corps. Lawrence Taylor, Pepper Johnson, Harry Carson and Carl Banks in New York. Tedy Bruschi, Mike Vrabel, Willie McGinest, Ted Johnson and Roman Phifer in New England. 

Belichick is now trying to build another set of championship linebackers. Jerod Mayo is the centerpiece. Gary Guyton has good size, and can cover like Phifer did. Brandon Spikes and Jermaine Cunningham are the Gator rookies. Tyrone McKenzie and Shawn Crable, the wild cards. Tully Banta-Cain, Derrick Burgess and Rob Ninkovich the vets.

The Patriots current crop looks promising, but is unproven.  

PatsPropaganda Current Depth Chart

ROLB: Tully Banta Cain, Shawn Crable 

WILB: Jerod Mayo, Tyrone McKenzie

SILB: Gary Guyton, Brandon Spikes

LOLB: Derrick Burgess, Rob Ninkovich 

PRS: Burgess, Jermaine Cunningham, Ninkovich

PCS: Mayo, Guyton, McKenzie