Logan Ryan plays some safety

Logan Ryan could play safety with the Patriots (Nancy Lane)

Bill Belichick has long been known to try to get the best 11 football players on the field together. When the Patriots signed CBs Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner, people began to speculate that Logan Ryan could move over to safety due to the excessive amount of skill at corner. Until today, that thought had not come to fruition on the practice field.



Today, Logan Ryan moved to safety for several reps, completing somewhat of a dream defense. Having Revis, Browner, and Dennard playing press man coverage underneath, with a 3-4 or 4-3 up front with the likes of Jaime Collins, Jerod Mayo and James Anderson/Dont'a Hightower able to cover the pass or stop the run, and a large defensive line of Wilfork, Kelly, Ninkovich, and Jones to rush the passer and stop the run. Could this defense actually work come game day?

During OTAs, defensive backs coach Josh Boyer was asked about the possibility of Ryan playing safety: "Well I think you take it from collective of what you have as a group, and whatever's going to be best for us defensively within that week to move those guys," said Boyer. "If it's, 'Hey, you've got to play a different position, this is going to be what's best game plan for us this week, you know, that's what we'll ask a guy to do. And obviously, we try to marry that up with their skill set."

One thing to consider, is a possible rotation at the safety spot next to McCourty. With the likes of Patrick Chung, Duron Harmon, and Tavon Wilson also competing for plays, each provide a different element. Patrick Chung knows how to lay down big hits coming downfield, Duron Harmon showed some pass coverage skills last year and has bulked up for this season, and Tavon Wilson has had the most (continuous) experience in the Patriots defense. Each player could receive playing time equally.

For now, all we can do is wait and see if they continue to play Ryan at safety in the coming weeks. If they do, he could very well see time there during specific defensive packages or on passing downs. Belichick has yet another thing for opponents to think about going forward.

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