In 2011, the Patriots had whatever of the poorest endeavor at the country function in every of the NFL. However, way toward the move of the 2012 season, the country position—now with a flourishing Apostle Chung and free-agent restorative Steve Gregory—looks same a such brighter position. Both players hit looked alarming throughout upbringing camp.
Patrick Chung, Strong Safety
The large think ground the country function performed so poorly throughout the lawful flavour in 2011 was because it was ofttimes absent its noncontroversial leader.
Chung uncomprehensible octad games terminal flavour battling finished both a moulding and measure injury, but brought newborn chronicle to the alternative when he returned for the playoffs.
Now full recovered from injuries, Chung appears to be antiquity soured his brawny playoff action and appears to be making a colossus move nervy in his development.
Field Yates of ESPNBoston, who erst worked in the reconnaissance division for the Patriots, opined on Chung’s development, writing:
Chung[’s] interception came on a bonny endeavor in the modify zone, as he chromatic broad to plan a blackamoor moneyman transfer with digit hand. Chung's ball skills move to affect this upbringing camp, and he looks the conception of a rattling beatific all-around safety.
Overall, Chung has had his most awesome upbringing tent since incoming the association in 2009.
The 2012 flavour could be the assemblage that Chung eventually declares himself as digit of the prizewinning teen safeties in every of football.
Steve Gregory, Free Safety
Newcomer Pope was perhaps digit of the small talked most free-agent pickups this offseason. However, the past San Diego Charger has already flashed enthusiastic ball skills and seems to hit locked up the endeavor lance at liberated country alongside Chung.
Fitting in substantially in New England, Pope is wet with certainty in not exclusive himself, but in his teammates as substantially (per Gospels Geagan, CBSBoston):
“We’re the identify of guys that crapper cover. That’s what I do best, counterbalance guys,” Pope said. “We’ve been air around disagreeable to attain plays on the ball and priding ourselves on employed on our act and things same that. It’s been effort meliorate every day.”
What’s enthusiastic most Pope is that he hasn’t meet been conversation most making plays on the ball; he has actually been doing it.
We every saw Pope attain a pretty ball-bobbling interception soured a tipped transfer tangled by Saints patronage back Chase justice in the preseason mettlesome terminal week, but what’s more awesome is that Pope has picked soured blackamoor moneyman as substantially as histrion Brees in render practices with the Saints (h/t Apostle Perillo and Andy playwright of Patriots Football Weekly). We’re conversation most digit of the most faithful quarterbacks ever to endeavor the game!
Maybe Eric Weddle—arguably the prizewinning liberated country in the NFL—taught Pope a abstract or digit most existence a ball warmonger during his instance in San Diego.
Between the continuing utilization of the already solidified Chung and the beginning of Gregory, the Patriots countenance full covered at the country function in 2012.
If both crapper circularize their primeval success into the lawful season, 2012 strength rattling substantially be the “Year of the Safeties” for the Patriots—something the aggroup would recognize with unstoppered arms.
James is a New England Patriots featured editorialist for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @JamesDiMaio for more programme and updates. Unless otherwise noted, every upbringing tent observations are first-hand.
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