Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
The New England Patriots‘ struggles in the secondary has been a topic of conversation for years now. Since the departure of corners like Asante Samuel and Ty Law some years ago, the team’s secondary has lacked consistent playmakers. The team went in the right direction acquiring Aqib Talib from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season, but more work is needed.
The team is still in search of a dependable starter who can line up opposite Talib. Ras-I Dowling has proven that he can’t stay healthy and Alfonzo Dennard has both an injury and legal trouble to worry about.
That brings me to rookie CB Logan Ryan. Ryan, a third round draft pick by the Patriots out of Rutgers has impressed so far in training camp. He also had a decent college career as well. In his career as a starter, although it was only for two years, Ryan played very well. He totaled 163 tackles, 0.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and seven interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown.
With that kind of college production, it was clear the Patriots were getting a bargain, especially when you consider that he was drafted in the third round. His potential was even more evident after the Patriots’ second preseason game Friday night. In the game, Ryan intercepted a Mike Glennon pass, returning it 53 yards for a score.
Two days earlier, he did the same thing in a joint practice against the Bucs,’ turning heads in the process. Although he is the fifth cornerback on the roster right now behind Talib, Dennard, Dowling and Marquice Cole, he could earn a starting opportunity in the near future if he continues to impress, especially if Dennard were to face discipline for his recent DUI arrest.
If Dennard were to go down, who would you like to see starting next to Talib? Dowling? Cole? Ryan? Someone else? Feel free to comment on the subject in the “comments” section below.
