March 19, 2008

A quick glance at the Patriots' depth chart at cornerback reveals just how poor the situation is. The two players penciled in as starters, Ellis Hobbs and Bills castoff Jason Webster, are undersized, injury-prone and marginal players. According to one team insider, the situation could be considerably aided by the move of Brandon Meriweather from safety to corner. An '07 first-round pick, Meriweather had a rough rookie season, appearing lost and physically unprepared to meet the demands of the NFL. In fairness to him, part of his problem was a coaching blunder of starting him out at corner, then moving him back to safety — the position he starred at during his collegiate career at Miami (Fla.) — thereby stunting his absorption of the playbook. But a permanent move to corner appears to be the best approach. He's exceptionally quick and has very good speed but isn't nearly the physical hitter that the Patriots covet at safety.