Bills' Jordan Poyer: A Bill Belichick Fit with Patriots?
Thinking about questioning the toughness of Buffalo Bills safety and free agent-to-be Jordan Poyer? Think again.
Despite the Buffalo defense having a more-than-forgettable end to the year, especially in the AFC Divisional loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, Poyer went above and beyond when the Bills needed him most. He played with various injuries this past season - including a torn meniscus - yet still started in all 12 of his appearances at age 31.
Certainly, one would think this toughness qualifies Poyer for a role on a Bill Belichick-led defense with the New England Patriots. It seems that ESPN agrees, as the site listed Poyer as a free-agency fit with the Pats.
Here's what ESPN said about why the pairing makes sense:
Here's a fun one. Poyer's multidimensional traits fit with Bill Belichick's scheme as a movable defensive player with deep-field range. Veteran safety Devin McCourty is set to hit free agency, so there is a need here. A highly instinctual defensive back, Poyer could match in coverage, check tight ends or track the ball from post/deep-half alignments in New England. And he can play multiple roles in Belichick's sub-packages. Last season, Poyer logged four interceptions and eight pass breakups for the Bills.
The Patriots secondary was quite literally a middle-of-the-pack unit this past season compared to the standard that's been set in the past. New England allowed 216.5 passing yards per game, the 16th-most (or 16th-fewest, depending on your perspective) in the league.
Belichick could also be losing the aforementioned McCourty to either retirement or free agency, leaving a big hole to be filled. Safety depth could be thin as well with Jabrill Peppers and Cody Davis also set to hit the open market.
Poyer and the Pats seems like a match made in heaven given the circumstances. But for now, Poyer's corporate Bills knowledge won't be leaked out to an AFC East foe ... at least not yet.
You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7
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