Locked On Patriots - Daily Podcast On The New England Patriots - Devin McCourty Retires: New England Patriots Next Move At Safety
Episode Date: March 13, 2023Prior to the start of the 2021 season, New England Patriots safety Devin McCourty was named a team captain for the 12th time in his career. At age 35, having just concluded his 13th NFL season, McC...ourty announced his retirement from the NFL on Friday. Host Mike D’Abate provides his thoughts on Devin’s career and retirement, while also taking a look at which moves the Pats may make to fill his shoes at safety.Find and follow Locked On Patriots on your favorite podcast platforms:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/locked-on-patriots-daily-podcast-on-the-new-england/id1140512627Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1c5ZxFmwg3WbfxAU3tR5Ve?si=k196wH-yRqifUcQQz8SjIQStitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/locked-on-patriotsAnd follow host Mike D’Abate on Twitter, where he’ll be sharing the latest news about the New England Patriots and talking with fans.On Twitter: @mdabateNFLSupport Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!Built BarBuilt Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON15,” and you’ll get 15% off your next order.Ultimate Football GMTo download the game just visit Ultimate-GM.com or look it up on the app stores. Our listeners get a 100% free boost to their franchise when using the promo LOCKEDON (ALL CAPS) in the game store.FanDuelMake Every Moment More. Don’t miss the chance to get your No Sweat First Bet up to ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS in Bonus Bets when you go FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG(CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat(CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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You are Locked On Patriots, your daily New England Patriots podcast.
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Hello to all of you, Foxborough faithful. Thank you once again for making Locked On Patriots a daily part of your New England Patriots coverage
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will be a big week on Locked On Patriots.
It's a big week throughout the NFL.
Free agency starts the league year beginning on Wednesday, March 15th.
And Locked On Patriots will have you covered on all the comings and goings in and out of Foxborough.
And folks, definitely make sure to stay locked into Locked On Patriots for the very latest on your favorite team in New England.
But before we dive into all of the latest free agent news from your New England Patriots folks,
we'd be remiss if we didn't take a little time here on Locked On to honor one of the greats to ever wear the uniform.
It is an end of an era.
And prior to the start of the 2022 season, New England Patriots safety
Devin McCourty was named a team captain for the 12th time in his career.
And on Friday at age 35, having just concluded his 13th NFL season, Devin announced his retirement
from the NFL via social media, and he announced it under the heading, quote, it's not about
the destination, it's the journey
and I'll quote exactly how Devin announced this he said quote I'm officially retiring from the NFL
it has been a great ride I think it's always tough to come to the end this whole offseason
has been so much back and forth for me mentally but ultimately I think this is the best decision
for me for my family, and
for my career.
And Devin said alongside his twin brother, Jason, when he announced it, did come to this
decision having spoken with both team owner Robert Kraft and head coach Bill Belichick.
A little more on their thoughts on Devin in just a moment here on Locked On Patriots,
but he did say that he also spoke with members of the defensive coaching staff.
And of course, Devin being Devin, got to get a little quip in there. He said, quote, I got to
say to Bill, now I get the chance to reminisce and look back and not have to focus on how can I be
better? Devin, really? I mean, I don't think there's anyone in Patriots nation that thinks
you could do any better than what you did. Tremendous, tremendous career without any question.
Since being drafted in the first round, number 27 overall in the 2010 NFL draft,
he's been a stalwart in the Patriots' defense.
They converted from cornerback to safety,
and that Rutgers upbringing definitely helped him cultivate it
into one of the most prolific on-field defenders,
as well as one of its most well-respected leaders in the locker room.
And throughout his career, Devin did it all on the field.
Combined in to appear in 229 regular season and playoff games as a member of the Patriots,
became a three-time Super Bowl champion, as well as being voted to two Pro Bowls,
three All-Pro teams,
and the Patriots team of the 2010s. He finishes his illustrious career having compiled 971 total
tackles, 110 passes defended, 35 interceptions, two of which took back for touchdowns, 11 forced
fumbles, and seven fumble recoveries. That's all in the regular season.
And he was equally as effective in the postseason,
logged 119 total tackles there, 4 pass breakups, and 2 interceptions.
Tremendous career for Devin McCourty without any question.
And some have speculated that a similar future in broadcasting
may be waiting for Devin on the other side of his playing days
and this is not all that far-fetched folks during the Patriots week 10 bye back in November Devin
joined the CBS broadcast and he also joined them once again in the playoffs and his valuable insight
and analysis was really something that I think captured the eyes and captured the hearts of a
lot of NFL fans throughout the country that maybe weren't big Patriots fans or maybe didn't know all that much
about Devin McCourty, but his charisma, that makes him an attractive candidate, I think,
to fill an analyst role. If he in fact does that, he's going to crush it without any question. And
in fact, Devin recently joined his brother Jason as a guest co-host for NFL Media's Good Morning
Football.
A lot of great stuff.
There are highlights available on YouTube, folks.
I definitely encourage you to check those out if you want to see what Devin McCourty may look like as an analyst.
But no matter what direction he's going to go in, that next chapter is going to carry him with success.
Devin always does everything with skill, with poise poise with class and a style all his own
and for all the years that he's been here in New England that's exactly how he's carried himself
and such a charitable uh individual as well doing amazing things being on the board at Boston
Medical and being a part of trying to help that organization not only help children, but also
help people that are stricken with communicable diseases. Really, Devin has just done so much
in this area. We remember his contributions during the Boston Marathon tragedy in which
he pledged some of his salary to go ahead and to be there for the victims and their funds.
He's just done a tremendous, tremendous job here in New England.
And I, for one, am going to miss covering him without any questions.
And I'll share my thoughts on Devin, my personal thoughts on Devin here in just a moment.
But speaking of that style, we're about to take a look at some of that style and the
impact it had on some of the most prominent members of the Patriots organization.
More on our tribute to DMACC when this episode of the Locked on Patriots podcast continues.
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Patriots fans, thank you once again for taking time out of your busy schedule to join me here
on Locked On Patriots. We're getting you ready for a big week in the NFL.
Coverage galore of the Patriots beginning of the 2023 NFL year.
A lot of free agency news coming up, folks.
So make sure to stay locked into Locked On Patriots.
But here to kick it off before all the madness begins,
we wanted to take a moment to honor the great Devin McCourty,
who called it a career on Friday.
13 illustrious seasons in the NFL. And it's really hard to say that this comes as a shock.
It did come as a bittersweet moment, definitely for me, for all Patriots fans, I think,
throughout the weekend. But we started to see the seedlings of this really all season long. And
really, the first time I gave true credence to the fact that I might be watching the seedlings of this really all season long and really the first time I gave true credence to
the fact that I might be watching the final days of Devin McCourty as an active player in the NFL
is as he walked off the Gillette Stadium field to the locker room following the Patriots week 17
victory over the Miami Dolphins New Year's Day last Patriots home game of the season and you
just you saw the team captain walking around the field
taking a bit more time to savor that moment and at this point he's deeply entrenched in the twilight
of his career and he realized at that moment that he may be leaving his home field for the final time
in a Patriots uniform and when we asked Devin about it after the game, he said, quote,
I took a moment, spent some time with my family on the field. It's been a great run to come out here.
If this was the last one, I think to be able to lead Gillette with a win, very similar to how my
first ever game was a win, I've had a lot of fun, end quote. Sounded like a guy that knew that the
end could be coming. And I don't think Devin knew
for sure at that point. I truly believe he really liberated on this until the last possible moment.
But ultimately, he fulfilled his own prophecy on Friday by saying that this was indeed time for him
to hang up his cleats. And now he begins the next chapter of that journey he talked about when he mentioned that he was going to
retire and it really gave us I think all an opportunity to reflect on the accomplishments
and the indelible mark he leaves on the franchise well it doesn't just leave a mark with his
teammates or with the fans that's definitely there those connections will always be there but
when you have the type of impact Devin McCourty had on the owner and the chairman
of the franchise, you know you've done something right in touching a nerve in Patriots Nation.
And Robert Kraft's statement to reflect that really does reflect just an incredible amount
of admiration, love, and respect for Devin McCourty.
And I'm going to read to you Robert's statement in its entirety because it really really was beautiful and such a fitting tribute for a great guy and one of the great
guys I've ever had the opportunity to cover here in New England. Robert Kraft's statement reads as
follows quote as a Patriots fan it's always bittersweet to see such an iconic player announce
his retirement but I couldn't be happier for Devin, Michelle, and the McCourty
family. We're more thankful to his mother, Phyllis. Through his individual performance and overall
leadership, Devin has been such an important part of the success we have enjoyed over the past 13
seasons, including each of our last three Super Bowl championships. As great as his contributions
were on the field, he made an even greater impact in the community, taking a leadership role in his advocacy for finding a cure for sickle cell anemia, effectively legislative change for criminal justice reform, and championing countless other educational and economic advancements and initiatives.
We couldn't have asked for a better leader and ambassador both on and off the field.
And again, Mr. Kraft's statement just incredible and really does clue you in that Devin McCourty
was so much deeper than just being a great NFL safety. And I say great without hesitation,
folks. He definitely belongs in that category. I know we're looking at things through rose-colored
glasses right now, and we'll do a much deeper dive as to whether or not Devin is worthy of Hall of Fame consideration.
When I say Hall of Fame, I mean Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton.
His red jacket is already printed.
He's ready to go.
He is definitely going into the Pats Hall of Fame at Gillette.
But I think a case can be made for the possibility that he might be a Pro Football Hall of Fame
worthy player will he
get in does he absolutely deserve it i think that's up for debate right now but i think he at
least deserves consideration and that's a conversation for another day but devon really
did do so much away from the field as well that helped to cultivate his amazing reputation and
robert craft absolutely nails it right here with his statement. And there's no question about it. I mean, he really, really was a unique person. Every single
person that's played alongside him or that's played against him or that's coached him has
had nothing but great things to say about Devin McCourty. That's not a coincidence, folks. That's
definitely by design. That's just who he is and unsurprisingly the man
who drafted Devin number 27 overall more than a decade ago had the utmost praise for his longtime
team captain and Bill Belichick's statement was also glowing in his praise and very effusive
for Devin rightfully so quoting Bill Belichick now folks, it is a rare group of players who win games at a historic rate,
exude team culture, lead, win awards, and win championships. And there is Devin McCourty.
Devin did all of these things as a player and more, but what I think first when I think of
Devin is the type of man he is, his character, his values, and how high he raised the bar for
spreading goodness and justice in the
community. For 13 years, Devin made everyone in our organization feel better and be better because
of who he is, a pillar of professionalism, unselfishness, work ethic, preparation, intelligence,
and performance. I am excited to see him bring those same traits to his next chapter and brighten
the lives of even more people.
Folks, really, you can't say it much better than that.
Bill Belichick, once again, very effusive in his praise for Devin McCourty, but also very accurate in his assessment of Devin McCourty, the man.
I've had the opportunity to get to know a little bit covering him here in New England these last couple of years and someone who I started out as a fan of. And I am very proud to say that he is the same type of person you expect him to be as a
fan in real life. He truly is. And Devin absolutely is someone that I believe has his red jacket
already awaiting him. He's definitely ready. He's earned that praise and appreciation and admiration
from each and every member of
Patriots Nation. And folks, there's just no question about it. He really has an amazing
connection to this area, and I believe he always will. He'll be missed on the field. He's had so
much success on this Gillette Stadium field. It's hard to imagine a future without Devin McCourty
here in New England, but that proverbial ride into the sunset that he's about to take now is the gateway to his life's next chapter, and one which I have no doubt he'll approach with dignity, with respect, and with class. as well as anyone who's ever worn a Patriots uniform. On a personal level, it is bittersweet for me to report on the retirement of Devin McCourty.
My first media scrum in 2017, it was my first day covering the Pats, was with Devin.
And he always took the time to thoroughly and candidly answer as many questions as possible,
including the new guy on that day.
And it definitely helped ingratiate me into a beat that is very tough to crack. There are a lot of excellent reporters in this area,
past, present, and future that have covered this team, this New England Patriots organization.
And for me to even be a small part of that is truly an honor. And through the years,
I am honored to say that I got the chance to get to know Devin a little bit better. And
since his arrival in 2010, again, he's personified hard work, class, excellence on
and off the field.
I personally thank him for all of his contributions here in New England, but most of all, for
giving his very best on every snap, every practice, and every game on each and every
day.
That's the example he set, and that's the example he'll
continue to embody as the New England Patriots now move into their next chapter. So, Devin,
congratulations on an amazing career. I wish you nothing but the best in your future,
and now it is truly your time to enjoy. Patriots fans, unfortunately, time moves on here in New England,
and the post-Devin McCourty era is about to begin.
New England Patriots have some moves to make
if they want to continue to be prolific in that defensive backfield.
How can they do so?
We're going to go over where the Patriots go from here at safety
when this episode of the Locked On Patriots podcast continues.
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Patriots fans, thanks once again for making Locked On Patriots your first listen here every day
kicking off a big week in the NFL here on style and of course folks we're talking about Devin
McCourty's retirement ending the week on a bittersweet note without any question and
I thank you for allowing me to personally share my feelings on Devin in the previous segment
and also just a little bit about his retirement and how he arrived at his decision.
But now that Devin's made his, your New England Patriots have some decisions to make as well.
With Devin McCourty now retired, the natural question is, where do the Patriots go from here?
Well, they do have some options to fill some big shoes at free safety and
let's start right away we start with the internal options and of course Kyle Duggar Adrian Phillips
probably the two biggest names in the defensive backfield right now for the Patriots with the
letter s next to it these guys align mostly in the box they're much more comfortable there
I don't see Kyle moving,
although he has a little bit more athleticism than Adrian in this case. If he had to, Kyle would be
the one I think they would force, but I really don't see either one of these guys going to the
free position. Jabril Peppers, he's a strong safety. I don't think he would move out of his
comfort zone. I think Devin's retirement makes it more likely that he resigns
in New England, but I don't think it's going to be to switch positions. So if you're going to stay
internal, you might want to think about retaining the services of a guy that you have on staff
right now. Someone who is coming up as an unrestricted free agent potentially, and that's
Jonathan Jones. Folks, don't forget Jonathan Jones started his career in
the slot before moving to a starting position as a perimeter corner in 2022 but there's no guarantee
he's going to be back here in free agency although on Sunday morning Mike Reese of ESPN one of the
best in the business reported that the two sides are hopeful that they're working out a deal
reportedly in the
range of between eight and nine million dollars annually if they can do that folks that both sides
are going to be very happy i would jump at the chance to do it and moving jonathan to a free
safety might actually be a smart thing to do he's got speed experience to play there plus the fact
that he was used as a safety in his previous incarnation
makes him an intriguing option so keep an eye out there for Jonathan Jones if they re-sign him
he could be an option but if the Patriots want to go outside the organization there are
some pretty prolific players that could end up wearing Patriots blue and we start with probably
the gem on the free agent market Jesse Bates of the
Sanford's of the excuse me of the Cincinnati Bengals former second round draft pick by the
Bengals and he's the top safety available in this year's free agency class there's no question about
it a lot of things that the Patriots love in their safeties Jesse Bates has them and he has them
naturally very high football IQ positional versatility, big-time playmaking skills,
a lot of leadership in that defensive backfield, and durability.
This kid stays on the field.
Problem is he's not going to come cheap.
The New England Patriots would definitely have to pony up for his services.
Reportedly, the Atlanta Falcons are very interested.
I'm hearing from certain circles in some of the sources that I have with
Sports Illustrated that there's a lot of mutual interest between Atlanta and Jesse Bates, but
don't count the Patriots out. They could swoop in. They could take a look at this.
A lot of people didn't believe a few years ago that the Pats had any chance of signing
Stephon Gilmore away from the Bills. They came in and did it. This could be a similar type situation
where the Patriots don't play their hand right away, but get in there and get the opportunity
to get some capital back. So Jesse Bates is someone that would be high quality, really would
solidify this position for the next few years. But again, this is going to come at an expense.
I've seen people talk about Daron Harmon.
That name has gone around a lot on Twitter.
And look, there's a lot of reasons for it.
Daron was a player here for a number of years, did a great job.
32, not really on the same level as some of these other free agents.
Definitely not on the level of a Jesse Bates right now.
But he can definitely play a McCourty-esque role, especially because of his
leadership, especially because of his experience here. Seamless transition. He knows the system
very well, and really I think would be a temporary fix, but this could be something where the
Patriots take a flyer on a veteran and get Duran back in here to add a little stability to the
backfield. I could see this happening, but if they do bring in Daron Harmon, I don't think it will be the only move that the Patriots make at that position. So keep
an eye on Daron Harmon, maybe not a day one free agency signing, but maybe down the line, maybe
toward the end of this week, you might see the Patriots chatter kind of go through that process
a little bit. Another question I get asked all the time is Jordan Poyer. I know a lot
of people would love to pry him away from Buffalo and look, he fits the mold perfectly. He definitely
has all the qualities that the Patriots love in a safety. He's a guy, he's a difference maker. He's
a veteran leader, still has an awful lot left in the tank. I've had the opportunity to watch him a
little bit closer, having done some work in covering the bills for Sports Illustrated, and he truly is one of the
guys that I think is ready to make a good amount of money on the open market. Almost a foregone
conclusion that he's going to be leaving Buffalo. The question is, where is he going? I know a lot
of people have made comments about him wanting to go to a place where there's no state income tax.
Tough luck that's not New England, but who knows? Maybe there go to a place where there's no state income tax. Tough luck
that's not New England, but who knows? Maybe there might be a situation where he might end up coming
here. But bottom line, Poyer still has a lot left to give. Led the Bills in interceptions with four,
ranked fifth in total tackles on the team with 63. And that would be a big loss for the Bills,
but it could be a big gain for the New England Patriots. So keep your eye on Jordan Poyer.
I'm thinking this one's a long shot, but boy, would that be a shot across the bow into Western New York if the Patriots could pull that off.
Again, folks, I wouldn't get your hopes up too high, but it is out there.
And I can't say that the door is completely closed on that.
So those are some of the external options that the Patriots may have to sift through
but there are draft options as well and that does lead the draft as a possibility for the Patriots
to fill this position Alabama's Brian Branch is the crown jewel of the safeties in this 2023 draft
class and rightfully so he checks all the boxes my thought, and again, this is my opinion now, not covering or not
analyzing, but I believe that the Patriots just have too many needs in too many places, offensive
tackle, wide receiver. I don't think they use first round draft capital to bring in the safety
of the future. I just don't think they do it at this time. And if they're going to stop shorter
using that first rounder to pry a safety out of this draft class they're not going to get brian branch he's definitely
going in the first round so there are a couple of players that i think the patriots could snag
on day two and again a couple of guys that have caught my sharp eye here on locked on patriots
one of which i've talked a little bit about before the other. I haven't really talked about him so much.
The first guy that I'm watching for the Patriots is Illinois defensive back Sidney Brown.
And Sidney is not exactly the prototypical big-time defender that you want to bring into
your system.
He's generously listed at six feet on some people's draft charts.
I've seen as low as 5'10".
I think Birch is probably in
the middle maybe a little bit there um doesn't have enough of a flash that his peers have but
he's not short on talent folks this kid can play with the best of them i think he has the potential
to be a three down player at the pro level during his time in illinois he showed above average
quickness when getting into position that's something that Devin did very well here in New England.
He keeps pace with his opposition, so you're not going to get a whole lot by him.
And again, football IQ, very, very high from those I speak to that have covered him or
watched him with the fighting line.
I know that he's got the instincts to help ensure that he's one of the smartest players
on the field at all times.
Because of that, he's always in and around the football. He knows that whether he's going to
align in the slot or as a split fielder, he's going to find statistical success no matter where
he is. 43 tackles last year, seven passes defended, six interceptions, one defensive touchdown.
Sidney Brown, folks, is definitely someone that i could
see the patriots taking a flyer on maybe in day two and maybe getting a great return on investment
his scouting combine tested very well that means this kid is probably on the rise of 4.48 40 time
that ranked fourth amongst all safeties also ranked in the top three for the broad jump, a 9.74 on that,
and the vertical jump, a 9.75.
So tested very well, very highly.
That's going to be someone to watch.
So I like Sidney Brown.
I think he's got a chance.
The guy that I really like is George's Christopher Smith,
and I've talked about him a couple of times here on the pod,
but now that Devin is, in fact, retiring, it allows me to entertain this idea a little bit more.
And if you're looking for a solid jack of all trades, this kid did it. He did it for the
national champions of Georgia. I think he can do it for any NFL team he comes to. He can align at
the free, but he's also capable of lining in the box. He can even align in the nickel, seen him do
all three for the Georgia Bulldogs.
And he even blocked the field goal
and took it back for a touchdown
in the SEC Championship against LSU.
So this kid is a very multifaceted weapon
that the Patriots could use very well.
We've talked a lot about high football IQ.
I think every player that I've mentioned,
whether it be internal free
agents like Jonathan Jones or guys that could come in here like a Jesse Bates or a Daron Harmon,
or even someone like a Jordan Poyer, even Sidney Brown, very, very high football IQ.
Christopher Smith, I'd put up there with anyone, really, even at an NFL level. I think it would
work very well with guys like Kyle Duggar, Adrian Phillips,
as a member of the Patriots. From people that I've talked to close to the Georgia program,
they love the way that he's able to assimilate into different coverage techniques. In fact,
one of the sources that I spoke to very closely said his aptitude to understand coverage techniques,
as well as communicating with his teammates, it is his greatest asset and honestly it's what's drawing comparisons to Devin McCourty not
just here in New England but nationally this is a kid that is projecting to be a McCourty like
free safety so above all else he is a great communicator That's what Devin McCourty did best. His ability to lead his
teammates, coordinate the action on the field, that's Devin's strongest skill set. That's
Christopher Smith's strongest skill set. And I'm not saying Christopher Smith is going to be Devin
McCourty. He's drawing comparisons. Folks, for years, we've seen players draw comparisons and
not live up to the hype. But at the bottom line, at the end of the day, you need guys that project in that mold.
And Christopher Smith has the football IQ and the poise to come in and try to live up
to those expectations from day one.
Very big shoes to fill.
But if there is someone out there that can do it, I think he can do it.
So at this point, I'm saying that i believe he was the
guy that could be a difference maker for the patriots at free safety from day one but i want
to hear what you have to say why are the patriots go from here folks who do you want to see manning
that free safety position in 2023 would love to hear your thoughts and again folks i can't stress
it enough it is going to be a big week in the NFL,
and we are just scratching the surface of the coverage that you will get here on Locked On
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And now that you've made us your first listen, please make your second listen to the Locked
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