New England Patriots’ secondary becomes primary concern – ESPN Boston

The cornerbacks have shown they can do the job. But isolated performances of success aren’t enough. The unit needs a consistent, coherent effort from more than one player throughout the course of a game. The safeties must show they can do enough to piece the group together. That starts by limiting big plays. The deficiencies are what they are, but big plays are avoidable with discipline. The Patriots do not have a game-changer in the secondary; they don’t even have a bona fide playmaker. They do have a stout run defense in front of them that can make an opposing offense one-dimensional and a potent offense on their own side that can score points and play catch-up as well as anyone. The Patriots’ secondary doesn’t have to be elite; it just has to be good enough. Through six games, it hasn’t been.