What's the old saying? Saving the worst for last? Something like that. In the case of the Patriots, the defensive backfield is definitely the worst position on the team. But maybe that's about to change.
The Pats were last in the league against the pass for most of last season. They gave up yards in big chunks to an array of quarterbacks. There were two key reasons for that. First, Devin McCourty -- a sensation at the corner in his rookie season -- had the sophomore slump to end sophomore slumps. He went from being almost unbeatable to being almost invisible. So many passes were completed over his head that it was like he wasn't even there. Second, Patrick Chung got hurt ... again. That left it up to guys like James Ihedigbo, Sterling Moore, and Sergio Brown. And those guys actually held their own. Especially Moore.
Bolstering the secondary was a key coming into 2012. It looks like the Pats may have done that. The secondary should be better, and if Chung can stay healthy and reach his potential then the secondary could actually be very good.
STARTERS
Chung is at the center of everything. When he's on the field and making plays at strong safety the defense comes together. When he's out, there's a big hole. He hasn't had a reliable partner in the middle of the field at free safety although former Jet Ihedigbo surprised. The Pats signed free agent Steve Gregory to bring some stability -- and experience -- to the secondary. He might be this year's Andre Carter as far as impact goes. That pushes McCourty back to the outside. After struggling badly for the first three months of the season last year, McCourty started to play some safety and he played it pretty well. He seemed to get his feet back under him. Hopefully that will carry through to this year. The other corner position will come down to either Kyle Arrington and second-year man Ras-I Dowling. Arrington tied for the league lead in picks last year. I know, it's hard to believe. But it's like when Meriweather made the Pro Bowl two years in a row. It made no sense but the guy had to be doing something right. Arrington gets credit for making the plays. Dowling was a second-round pick who got hurt and did nothing last year. But the word is he has starter-level talent. I think Arrington starts the season with the job.
BACK-UPS
The Pats are starting to build secondary depth. A key in today's pass-first, pass-second NFL. Dowling or Arrington make a very good third corner. Ihedigbo and Moore go back to their more suited roles as nickel and dime guys. Josh Barrett will be back and the Pats added veteran Will Allen. I like it when the Pats have a savvy veteran defensive back. I hope Allen is that guy. The Pats also drafted three rookies this year. They drafted Tavon Wilson out of Illinios in the second-round ahead of some other more notable prospects. He's 6-0 and can play both corner and safety. The team then grabbed Alfonzo Dennard and rubgy player Nate Ebner in the later rounds. Dennard had off-the-field problems that caused him to slide way way way down the draft board. He could be a surprise. Ebner was a ruby sensation at Ohio State but will most likely be returning kicks, not picks
IN THE MIX
Role players Ross Ventrone, Malcom Williams, and Jets-castoff Marquice Cole fill out the roster.
The Pats were ugly against the pass for large parts of last year. A part of that is a lack of pass rush. But the other part is a solid secondary. The Pats are getting closer to having that.
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