Even with the rise of Dennard and the trade for Talib(who we won't have available until the Indy game) Devin McCourty is still the best zone-coverage CB on the roster. But right now I also think he has shown the most competent Free-Safety play I've seen on the Pats D for years. With Alfonzo Dennard and Aqib Talib both rising on the depth chart I could see them running more man-cover and I could also see them getting more creative if they have McCourty playing FS behind them. When's the last time we've had good enough Safety play to safely run a corner-blitz or man-cover?

For me, it's about getting the best talent out there and fitting a scheme that works for the personnel. For me, that personnel grouping is Devin McCourty at FS(Steve Gregory situationally for cover-2) and either Tavon Wilson or Patrick Chung as a traditional Strong-Safety as neither has demonstrated the readiness for cover-2(which says more about Chung than the rookie Wilson). At CB, Aqib Talib and Alfonzo Dennard look like the best remaining outside-guys with Cole or Arrington manning the slot. Maybe Devin McCourty switches it up some as he is a versatile player, especially vs. the Bills where the Pats won't have Talib available yet. Right now I think this personnel grouping has too much potential to not give it a serious try.

It's not that I think Steve Gregory is a bad Free-Safety, it's that I don't think he's particularly good. Okay at best, below average at worst.

So what do you think?