You Can Go Home Again...Chung Proves A Valuable Addition to the Patriots Defense
 Pat Chung has been a very solid addition to the Patriots defense in 2014. (USA TODAY Images) |
When Pat Chung left the New England Patriots not many people were surprised. It seemed he had peaked as a player and after a tough 2012 season, he left for greener pastures signing with the Philadelphia Eagles.
A 2nd round draft pick in 2009, Chung had his moments in New England but never played up to expectations and signed with his former college coach Chip Kelly who had taken over the Eagles.
But there were more than a few raised eyebrows when Chung re-signed with the New England Patriots after being released by the Eagles after just one year. Most people (this writer included) thought that he was signed as veteran depth and for his special team’s experience.
Few people thought Chung would carve out a roster spot, let alone a starting strong safety position when training camp opened in late July. But that is exactly what he did. And it began with he and Bill Belichick sitting down and discussing what went wrong and where the team was planning on using him differently this time around.
Chalk it up to experience, maturity, or being asked to do things more toward his strength rather than his weaknesses this time, but Chung has been much better utilized by Belichick and Defensive Coordinator Matt Patricia in 2014. Chung came to camp already familiar with the Patriots system, picked up the pace quickly and outperformed 2nd year safety Duron Harmon thought to be the favorite, as well as Tavon Wilson and others and won the starting role.
"I think some of the circumstance of the '12 season didn't work out as well as we all hoped, for a combination of reasons. Pat and I talked about that last year after he was released from Philadelphia” Belichick told the media in a conference call. “Pat and I talked about that. We had a long conversation about a lot of things. I don't think it was anybody's fault. It was just one of those things that didn't work out."
Few, if any, players that leave the Belichick stable are ever welcomed back again. Deion Branch is one notable exception, and now Chung is making the most out of his second chance with the Patriots. Chung has been among the Patriots most pleasant surprises of 2014. Playing mostly an in-the-box role, which is contrast to the two-deep safety position he played in his first four seasons, Chung has been very solid in all phases of the game.
He’s been used to cover tight ends and running backs and for the majority of this season the results have been much better than expected. Always strong against the run, he knows in a Belichick system, versatility is the key and by being much better in coverage this time around has resulted in much better production for the veteran.
“I’d say Patrick has always been a pretty good coverage player,” Belichick said in an interview with ESPN Boston. “That’s one of his strengths. There were times where we actually used him as the nickelback instead of a third corner. Pat works hard at that.”
The Patriots’ big moves in the free agency period were the additions of cornerbacks Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner. Chung’s signing barely registered with the media or the fanbase, but all of those moves working in conjunction with each other have proved to be a key reason for the success of the team in 2014.
PFF (Pro Football Focus) has both Patriots safeties Devin McCourty and Chung rated as the #4 and #5 top safeties in the NFL thus far in 2014. Revis is ranked as the #2 cornerback. Factor in that Donta Hightower and Jamie Collins are rated as the #1 and #3 linebackers in the league, it is no surprise that this Patriots defense has been much better than in years past. After facing a gauntlet of potent offenses during the second half of the season, the defense has passed their test and is now ready for a deep post-season run.
Chung got his first interception of the season last week against the Dolphins and his play was once again solid in holding RB Lamar Miller to just a 2.9 yard per carry average on the day. He and McCourty have been outstanding at communication, providing nearly flawless calls depending upon the situation.
This week’s game is a Chung-type of matchup. The Jets love to ground and pound the ball with running backs Chris Johnson and Chris Ivory. Look for Chung to be up in the box and trying to disrupt both the running game and passes out of the backfield. He should be a major factor in how the team performs on Sunday in the Meadowlands.
It seems you can go home again.
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