Patriots legend believes popular storyline is overrated
Former New England Patriots longtime captain Devin McCourty created a need on the team at free safety when he retired from the NFL two weeks ago. McCourty doesn’t believe the Patriots need to replace him on the roster, however, and that the team already has the pieces in place to man his old role. McCourty […]
Former New England Patriots longtime captain Devin McCourty created a need on the team at free safety when he retired from the NFL two weeks ago.
McCourty doesn’t believe the Patriots need to replace him on the roster, however, and that the team already has the pieces in place to man his old role.
McCourty first tweeted, “Everyone in NE wants a big name signed for safety but Dug Pep and AP have played GREAT BALL. LET THEM COOK!!!!!”
He then responded to a fan asking, “Real question: you don’t think they need someone in your role? Felt like the mix was so perfect last season!”
“Nah I think they have a chance to be better…everyone knew where I was going to be…with this group no one know who will be where….I’m excited to watch them,” McCourty quoted tweeted the fan.
It is true that the Patriots’ defense was a little bit more predictable with McCourty at free safety. He spent 784 of 1,097 defensive snaps at free safety in 2022. The next highest mark on the team was safety Adrian Phillips, who played 199 of 702 snaps at free safety. Kyle Dugger played 82 of 752 defensive snaps at free safety, cornerback Myles Bryant played 55 of 689 defensive snaps at free safety, Jabrill Peppers played 42 of 398 defensive snaps at free safety, and Jonathan Jones, who previously had played more snaps at free safety, took on just five of 914 total defensive snaps in the role as he adjusted to a new position at outside cornerback.
Dugger, Phillips and Peppers are bigger defenders who don’t necessarily have McCourty’s range. Jones does have McCourty’s speed and knowledge of the defense, but he’s slightly undersized and might be needed elsewhere in the secondary.
The Patriots have yet to sign a safety from outside the organization while they did retain Peppers and Bryant this offseason.
Only time will tell how New England will replace McCourty and whether the future team hall-of-famer is correct in his assessment that the team will be better off without him. That seems difficult to believe since he was such a dependable player in the second half of New England’s dynasty. If anyone would know, however, it would be him, but he does seem to be overly humble.
Featured image via Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
