Jones: No Need For Patriots To Move McCourty To Corner -- For Now
BOSTON (CBS) -- With such an exodus from the New England Patriots' secondary over the offseason, many have been discussing the possibility of Devin McCourty moving back to corner.
McCourty had a great year at corner his rookie year, picking off seven passes and deflecting seven more, but shifted to safety during his third season in the league in 2012. That move proved to be a good one for both the team and player, as McCourty was named to the All Pro Second Team in 2013.
While the move makes sense, with Darrelle Revis leaving via free agency and Brandon Browner, Kyle Arrington and Alfonzo Dennard all being released by New England, it doesn't sound like McCourty is very into the changing positions.
"I'm not really excited about that chatter. Hopefully that's not what happens," McCourty said on CSNNE's Quick Slants on Tuesday. "We have a lot of guys working hard at the corner positions, and hopefully they get it done. I feel like I've found a home at safety, and that's where I'd like to stay."
98.5 The Sports Hub's Adam Jones says that McCourty would ultimatley make the move because he is such a team player, but he should start the season at safety. However, if the new crop of New England corners doesn't work out (they added Bradley Fletcher and Ronald McClain this offseason), the Patriots should put serious consideration to moving McCourty back to corner.
"The idea has been out there, and it makes sense. The Patriots now have Devin McCourty locked in at a number that is very high for a safety but a number that is very reasonable for a corner; especially a left corner if that's where they would use McCourty," said Jones, noting the 5-year, $47,500,000 contract McCourty and the Pats agreed to over the offseason. "It would be a pretty reasonable number for an above-average corner, which you hope McCourty would be. But you make yourself weaker at two positions on the field, because now you're moving a safety, and McCourty will certainly be a downgrade from Darrelle Revis.
"It's not just, 'Hey, your corners are bad,' but now you have a question at safety, and maybe it sends your defense out of whack," said Jones. "Remember, there is no more Arrington or Dennard. If it's that bad in-season and you can't find an upgrade via trade or guys off the scrap heap, and you get a month into the year and are looking for help, Devin McCourty has that flexibility. But to start him there, I wouldn't do that because it makes you weaker at multiple positions.
"I think most people don't want to see McCourty move back to corner," concluded Jones.
Rich Keefe agrees.
"I would still want him [at safety]. There is a better track record there. Obviously if you tell me he's going to play corner like his rookie year, sure, move him there. But if he's going to play like any other time at that position, then just leave him," said Keefe. "Leave McCourty at safety, which is clearly where he is more comfortable now, and maybe there is a trickledown effect."