James Sanders

the Bears but was demoted recently as safety play for Chicago has been a major disappointment.

S James Sanders, Atlanta Falcons – An argument can be made that the experience of the 7th-year veteran is missed by the Patriots secondary. Sanders is a reserve for the Falcons whose greatest contribution to the Falcons is his knowledge of the game.

Continue reading "Better Off Without Them"

yton Manning nearly directed a 21-point comeback until the critical pressure by Cunningham led to a James Sanders interception. With all due respect to Manning, the game shouldn’t had been close after the offense turned the previous two interceptions into 10 points. 

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 13"

ung and Merriweather are the starters, but in New England’s defense, it’s just a title. James Sanders started two games because he played by the book when Merriweather was busy ad-libbing the playbook earlier this year. Sanders brings veteran experience as the doyen of the secondary. His savvy has been on display for the past two weeks. 

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 12"

roduct aside? We’ll see if S Pat Chung can take the first step toward warding off challengers James Sanders and Brandon McGowan. And if WR Wes Welker sits this one out, who is the back-up plan? 

Continue reading "First Look"

Leadership will have to come from eight-year veteran CB Leigh Bodden and safetys James Sanders (six years) and Brandon Merriweather (four years). No one is even 30 years old. 

It’s a trend also reflected at linebacker, as the average age will be 25 on opening day after the release of 10-year veteran, 32-year old Adalius Thomas (this average also includes Jermaine Cunningham, Marques Murrell, Rob Ninkovich, and Derrick Burgess, though they are listed as defensive ends). 

Continue reading "Shawn's Gone"

athan Wilhite, Terrence Wheatley, Brandon Merriweather, Brandon McGowan, Pat Chung, Kyle Arrington, James Sanders

Cornerback Need: 4

Bodden established himself as the top corner on the team. But who will start opposite of Bodden? Based on his rookie season, Butler looks like he has the potential to start on the left side. Wilhite had his chance last year and failed. Springs was decent when he played, but he started just eight games. Wheatley slipped further down the depth chart. Arrington hasn’t established himself with the team. 

Continue reading "Draft Evaluation: Secondary"

The pass rush and secondary were great the past two weeks. Some say CB Shawn Springs and SS James Sanders in the starting lineup has solidified the secondary. The best way to know for sure is seeing how they fare against a top-five offense. If the defense can keep QB Matt Schaub under control and contain WR Andre Johnson, then we know for sure if the defense really is playing better. 

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 17"

S James Sanders then made the stop on RB Maurice Jones-Drew on fourth down. The offense scored after the turnover on downs. 

5. Two new high water marks. WR Wes Welker broke the team record for receptions in a season when he caught his 113th pass. Welker has 122 receptions in 13 games with the season finale still left to play. And Merriweather got his career high fifth interception this year. Merriweather almost had his second interception return for a touchdown if only OLB Adalius Thomas was able to block Jaguars QB David Garrard. 

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week 16"

CB Shawn Springs played and CB Jonathan Wilhite and S James Sanders both returned to the starting lineup. On offense WR Julian Edelman and OT Sebastian Vollmer returned to action as well. 

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week 14"

long-tenured players are linemen Jarvis Green, Ty Warren, Vince Wilfork, and Mike Wright and safety James Sanders. 

Other veterans on the defense were signed as free agents, many signed just this year. While adjusting to a new defense might be easier for them, don’t expect the unit to play as a whole immediately. There will be blown assignments because of mental lapses and lack of trust. 

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 1"

And Tank Williams’ release locks in Brandon Merriweather, James Sanders, Brandon McGowan and Pat Chung as the safetys. 

Other players know they’re just rotation players to keep other fresh during practice. So RB Chirs Taylor, WR Robert Ortiz and DB Herana-Daze Jones, it was nice knowing ya. 

Continue reading "5 Minutes of Fame"

Soon after the trade, they re-signed S James Sanders and G Russ Hochstein.

Now they couldn't keep everybody. WR Jabar Gaffney, RB LaMont Jordan, and LS Lonnie Paxton were awarded new contracts elsewhere. Of course the Pats aren't sitting free agency out. RB Fred Taylor should be an upgrade over Jordan, and TE Chris Baker is a reliable target that should fit in well in the offense.

Continue reading "Early Returns on the Trade"

If he recovers completely from the torn quad, he can join James Sanders and Brandon Merriweather and the three will battle it out over who starts. Whoever the third safety is, it won't be a drop-off in play when he subs in for either one.

Continue reading "One More, Bruschi, Harrison?"

LBs Tedy Bruschi and Pierre Woods are out. S James Sanders is doubtful. And DE Ty Warren is 50-50. Last week New England had their problems trying to control Seatle's 19th-ranked ground game. How will they fare against a run-first offense?

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 15"

Brandon Merriweather is expected to start at free safety while James Sanders slides over to strong. They lose a lot of experience without the leader, but there's no time to feel sorry for themselves with the pass happy Rams in town.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 8"

:Mayo led the team in tackles with eight and he recovered a fumble two teammates failed to secure.S James Sanders has started every game this year so far and has been solid. He got his first interception of the year along with five tackles, good for second on the team for the night.LB Gary Guyton went undrafted in the 2008 Draft, but plays like a day one pick. He recovered a fumble in the game.Guyton's fumble was caused by DL Mike Wright, another rookie free agent who was playing in place of an injured DL Jarvis Green. Wright added a tackle for a loss, a quarterback hit, and a sack.The team leader in interceptions is second-year Merriweather. He added his third on Monday night. Merriweather also defended two passes.Signed from the practice squad to restore some depth lost at the running back position, BenJarvis Green-Ellis played the second half for Sammy Morris and averaged five yards a carry. Green-Ellis finished with 65 yards.K Stephen Gostkowski continues to have a breakout year as he added eleven points to the night, including two field goals and five extra points. He missed just one field goal this season, a 48-yarder.DL Le Kevin Smith made the most of his limited playing time by recovering a fumble.OLB Pierre Woods got a quarterback hit on a play that led to an interception.

Continue reading "Youth Serving"

Do they call CB Ty Law or S John Lynch? Should they shift James Sanders to strong safety or promote Brandon Merriweather? Or maybe they turn a corner into a safety, like Mike Richardson? It worked well for a while with Eugene Wilson.

Continue reading "End of the Road for Rodney?"

ILB Victor Hobson
OLB Adalius Thomas
CB Ellis Hobbs
CB Fernando Bryant
FS James Sanders
SS Rodney Harrison

The only name absent from last year's offense is Nick Kaczur. I'm having doubts about whether he will remain with the team. It's not just about his off-field issue, though that does play a role. More than anything else, it's his ability to pass protect. I believe Kaczur has problems with speed rushers. Besides New York Giants' defensive end Michael Strahan beating Kaczur for two sacks in Super Bowl 42, I remember Baltimore used special teams LB Antwan Barnes to rush the passer and he beat Kaczur for a sack. The recent signing of Anthony Clement doesn't bode well for Kaczur.

Continue reading "Looking too far ahead"