Jason McCourty at nose tackle? In actuality, it’s probably never going to happen. However, the cornerback has been practicing positions he normally does not play in an effort to learn the entire defense.
He has been nothing short of a defensive asset in Foxboro. He has played the cornerback and slot positions in two seasons with New England. He has also managed to find some time at the safety position as well. His durability and versatility have certainly been a plus to the New England defense.
McCourty has been spending this off-season learning different positions within the defense. As he told Doug Kyed of NESN.com earlier in the week, he likes to challenge himself to learn the ins and outs of the defense.
“For me, it’s been fun,” McCourty said. “I think the mental aspect of it, that challenge as an older guy has been really fun to put that on myself to see when we’re — now, at this point, being in my third season — when we’re going over installs and doing things. I try to challenge myself. Can I learn the entire defense? Can I understand what the nose technique or what the defensive tackle is doing on this blitz and why he’s doing it and understand the call that (Dont’a) Hightower may make when he sees this or that?”
Entering his third season with New England, he has recorded 16 pass deflections and a forced fumble. He has also recorded an interception in each season. He will be counted on heavily as a youthful New England offense will inevitably endure some growing pains.
