Patriots Practice Observations: Devin McCourty Back Working With Safeties

FOXBORO, Mass. — Perhaps moving Devin McCourty back to cornerback was a one-week experiment for Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots.

McCourty spent individual drills with the safeties during the beginning of Patriots practice Tuesday, after much was made of him starting at right cornerback in Saturday’s preseason win over the New Orleans Saints.

McCourty let up 36 yards on two catches and three targets against the Saints. He also recorded a pass breakup over Saints wideout Brandon Coleman to save a touchdown, which Belichick was quick to point out twice after the game.

McCourty began his career as a cornerback before moving to safety full time in 2012. He was a second-team All-Pro at free safety in 2013.

The defensive back said after Saturday’s game that he hoped the move back to cornerback wasn’t permanent. McCourty, a defensive captain, is a team player, however, and he’ll do whatever is asked of him.

“I’ve just got to play,” McCourty told reporters Tuesday. “As a player, you’ve just got to go play football. Obviously, a new week, you’ve got to prepare and get ready to go for new challenges this week, but that’s all I can do.”

McCourty was asked if that new challenge was going back to playing safety after a week at cornerback.

“We’ll see,” McCourty said laughing, according to the Boston Herald. “We’ll have to see.”

Malcolm Butler and Tarell Brown appear primed to fill two of the Patriots’ three starting cornerback roles. Logan Ryan, Bradley Fletcher and Robert McClain are fighting for the final starting spot.

Thumbnail photo via Kyle Terada/USA TODAY Sports Images