Patriots: Secondary is primary for Pats & McCourty
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
The focus of late has been in the trenches, but that’s ok with Devin McCourty.
McCourty is only in his second year as a cornerback on the defense, but if that first year taught him anything, it’s that success up front will certainly mean that success isn’t far behind where he plays.
And progress is coming.
“It feels like we're getting better,” McCourty said Monday in the Patriots’ locker room prior to practice. “I think the important thing right now is we grow as a unit, grow as a defensive team, being on the same page. I think that's coming along and it's encouraging.”
What is also encouraging is McCourty’s progress as a pro. His rookie year out of Rutgers certainly could not have gone much better than it did – stepping into a starters’ role to replace an injured Leigh Bodden, starting all 16 regular season games, leading the team with seven interceptions, being named to the Pro Bowl and earning All-Pro honors. Can he be the same player again? “I don't think you can kind of come back and be the same player,” McCourty said. “You either get better or get worse, and my focus is on trying to get better as a player.
“I think just being a better prepared player has helped me kind of understand the game of football more,” he added. “I feel like this year I can do more things as a player, not just as a corner, but to help the defense out as a whole.” And the biggest difference between this year and being a rookie? “Just having a little better understanding of the defense, of what's going around me on offense.”
Having a better understanding of the defense can only mean better days ahead for the Patriots, as McCourty learned things “on the fly” last season. He had to. With no one to look up to, thanks primarily to injuries, he assumed a leadership role. “I think we all kind of feed off each other,” McCourty pointed out. “Especially last year at the cornerback position, we didn't really have any true veteran, so I think we all kind of lean on each other at different times, helping each other out with our knowledge.
“The biggest thing is we rely on each other,” he added. “I think it all comes back to trying to be on the same page. We feel like we have more experience and kind of being out there, you learn more. But I think we still all have that little edge, and feel that there is a lot more to learn.”
The regular season is right around the corner. There’s a lot to look forward to…and McCourty knows it. But he also knows there’s still work to be done. “I know at this point we're not ready. Hopefully we keep working and these next three weeks it will all come together and be good enough to go out and play in our season opener.”
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