Defensive backs McCourty, Jones and Jackson all make their case for a roster spot

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — For the Patriots on Thursday night, there were three different defensive backs and three different stories.

There was veteran Jason McCourty, who played in a fourth preseason game for the first time since his rookie year. There was Cyrus Jones, who missed all of last season after a knee injury he sustained following an occasionally shaky rookie campaign. And there was J.C. Jackson, a first-year undrafted free agent who appears to now be the choice to keep one of the more unique streaks in the NFL alive.


First, McCourty. For the second consecutive preseason game, he spent a sizable portion of the contest at deep safety. Now, with cuts set to come down this weekend, the veteran now appears to be in a fight for a roster spot. But after Thursday’s game, he didn’t sound like a guy worried about the situation.

“No concern at all,” said McCourty, who had one tackle on the evening. “I think I’ve played this game long enough to know that you control what you control. Whatever they decide is up to them, but I felt like throughout training camp, preseason like I’ve done my best. I feel like I’ve been able to execute, pick up the defense and do those things. But the ultimate decision whether I’m here or not is not in my hands.

“I really don’t concern myself with what goes on, especially this being (my 10th year in the league). I probably exceeded every expectation I had for myself going into my rookie year what my NFL career would be, so whatever happens here, happens. You put it in God’s hands. You play your best, and then however it goes down, it goes down.”

“I think he made a big jump from last week,” Bill Belichick said of McCourty and his switch from corner to safety. “He did a good job last week, made some good tackles, and I think just overall (was) more comfortable this week. (It) showed up on the practice field, and it looked like it tonight too, so that was more encouraging.”