Everyone wanted to know why Malcolm Butler didn’t play in the Super Bowl but it wasn’t as if his replacement in the starting lineup, Eric Rowe, played poorly that day. Yes, he got beat by Alshon Jeffrey for a touchdown early in the game but it was a highly competitive play that required a perfectly lofted ball by Nick Foles and a terrific catch by the massive Jeffrey. Once the Pats wised up and moved Stephon Gilmore opposite Jeffrey, Rowe did a solid job on Torrey Smith. In fact, safe to say Smith wasn’t much of a factor with Rowe in his grill.
The assumption was that once Butler fled in free agency, Rowe would assume the same role he had in the Super Bowl, starting opposite Gilmore. But Bill Belichick wasn’t satisfied with his team standing pat at the position and pulled off a trade for the “other” McCourty, Jason, a player who by all accounts had a better season last year for Cleveland then the erratic Butler did for New England.
While we’re very early in camp, those two players are alternating at right corner and each have had their moments - both good and bad. Consistency has often times eluded Rowe and that will be his big challenge as he tries to emerge as a 16-game starter in this his 4th year in the league.
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McCourty has long been a stable player but has never played on a winner - he’s never played in a playoff game - and he had an odd spring where the Pats had him dress and watch, surrendering reps to an undradfted player like JC Jackson. Perhaps it was a physical issue. That was sidestepped by McCourty during a couple of interviews then.
As for what corner will assume the role as the slot corner, it appears that race is not only wide open but we haven’t even had a chance to see all the candidates. Both Jon and Cyrus Jones remain on the lower practice field working with players in various states of recovery. 2nd round pick Duke Dawson looked good on day one of camp but had a couple of unpleasant moments on day two.
Also, to my recollection, we’ve yet to see the Pats show the dime package. In the nickel (5 defensive backs), Pat Chung has primarily worked in the slot, although based on formations, Devin McCourty has also found himself head up there as well.
New England Patriots
Jackson had some nice moments Friday and could be in line to be the latest undrafted cornerback find from Nick Caserio and his scouting staff. We also can’t forget the speedy 7th rounder, Keion Crossen. The Pats have long been matchup defense and have also been week-to-week with some of their players. That’s probably how things will play out this summer and roll right into the fall unless a couple of these players get their chance and make it count consistently.