The New England Patriots have parted ways with two-time Pro Bowl (cough) safety Brandon Meriweather.
Meriweather had an up and down tenure with the Patriots. He was a play-maker who made plays for both teams. He was just as likely to miss an easy tackle as he was to make a great interception.
He probably doesn’t get enough credit in New England for how well he played for most of the 2009 season, finishing with 5 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, a touchdown, and 83 tackles. That said, he probably doesn’t get enough blame for missing an easy interception in the drive that cost the Patriots an undefeated season in his rookie year or for his horrible play in 2010.
He had off field issues, he had on-field issues, and he was a continuous source of entertainment for everyone who listens to the Toucher and Rich show on 98.5 The Sports Hub.
The move leaves the Patriots with Patrick Chung, Sergio Brown, Josh Barrett, and James Ihedigbo as their only safeties.
Brown is the most likely guy to slide into Meriweather’s starting spot, but Barrett started the preseason finale against the Giants alongside Chung. Rookie cornerback Ras-I Dowling could also move to safety, similar to what the Patriots did with Eugene Wilson back in 2003 after releasing Lawyer Malloy. Leigh Bodden is also a candidate to move to safety, assuming they can find someone else who can cover inside, because Kyle Arrington has proven that he can’t do it.
There’s always a surprise on cut-down day in New England. I’m not sure this qualifies as much of a surprise, but any time a two-time Pro Bowler (cough) is released it’s big news.
And hey, now that Meriweather is unemployed, he’ll have a time of time to work on his up and coming music career.
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