Safeties James Sanders, Pat Chung and Brandon McGowan return to Foxboro with cornerbacks Leigh Bodden, Shawn Springs, Darius Butler, Jonathan Wilhite, Kyle Arrington and Terrence Wheatley. Since the majority of those players were in their first year with the Patriots in 2009, an increased level of continuity will add a boost now that they’re that much more familiar with one another.
“It’s very important because now I know how to deal with certain people,” Meriweather said Thursday morning. “You can’t coach everybody and treat everybody the same way. Some people, you have to be lighter on. Some people, you have to be harder on. After getting a year under our belts together, we know how to talk to each other. We know how to deal with each other, respond to each other when we give criticism.”
Add new defensive backs coach Corwin Brown into the mix, and Meriweather is even more excited. Brown, a former Patriots safety himself, adds crucial firsthand knowledge of the game, which instantly grabs the attention of the current players.
“I think he’ll be extremely important,” Meriweather said. “It’s the first safety coach I’ve ever had. I’ve sat down and talked to him about five times, and every time I talk to him, I’m intrigued about how much he knows and how much he says he can help.”
