Report: McCourty Officially A Safety

In an article now posted on NFL.com, it is reported that Devin McCourty will be moved to Safety "permanently." The columnist cites NFL Network analyst Michael Lombardi, but no official word (as expected) from the team has been given. As to where this definitive statement comes from, I am not sure. The video included in the article provides no such news. Instead, Lombardi merely speculates that The Patriots would want to keep McCourty at Safety.

Literally, there is absolutely no evidence from the team to suggest that McCourty will stay at Safety. Also, if a decision was made, I have a hard time believing that the move would be "permanent" as the columnist Kareem Copeland suggests. I think that this is just wild, unfounded speculation by a network analyst. I am not believing a word of it until a team official makes a statement.

Knowing The Patriots, no announcement will come before a game is played. Belichick will certainly not tip his hand, but rather he will answer vaguely while praising McCourty's ability to do what is best for the team. Likewise, even if McCourty plays at Safety this coming week, we cannot assume that it will be a permanent move. The full picture will not be available until Aqib Talib comes back from suspension.

I am on record saying that McCourty should stay at CB, and I stick to that assessment despite Michael Lombardi's feeling that the team will want to leave McCourty at Safety. This is a baseless report that should not be taken literally. I almost feel bad posting a link to the article because it will reward this bad reporting. Don't get carried away with everything you read on NFL.com. I think there is a reason Mike Reiss avoided this story: it's unsourced and baseless.

I still think he'll be back at CB because it allows the best players to be on the field. See the full breakdown HERE.