Chung and Gregory's budding relationship is already harvesting results.
Patrick Chung is optimistic that the secondary will improve this season.FOXBOROUGH – If you happened to be eavesdropping without knowing the context of the conversation, you may think that Steve Gregory and Patrick Chung were discussing a marriage.
The words “communication,” “chemistry,” and “trust” litter their sentences as they describe their growing bond at back of the New England Patriots’ secondary, and dissect what the future may hold.
They both know that they need to make plays and provide solid coverage, but before that can happen, those key elements, which often times evaded the New England safeties last season, will have to take root before the duo can begin to flourish.
“It is kind of like a relationship,” Chung said. “Relationships can only get stronger so we're going to see how that goes. But yeah, I love playing next to him and he helps me out a lot."
After allowing the second most passing yards in the NFL last season, Chung can’t afford to have his words ring hollow once the snaps begin to count. But for now, playing in the protection of scrimmages and practice reps, it appears that New England’s new 1-2 punch at safety may have what it takes to pull the secondary out of slums and into respectability.
In the Patriots’ preseason opener against the New Orleans Saints, New England allowed just 188 passing yards and left Drew Brees scanning the field for an open target that didn’t exist during three of his four dropbacks. Both Gregory and Chung recorded an interception during the contest.
And during Tuesday’s training camp practice, where it hasn’t been uncommon for the secondary to shine, the group came together to make at least four interceptions against their prolific counterparts during team drills.
The reason for their early success, Gregory says, is in part due to the level of communication that is taking place between him and Chung.
“When you communicate you put yourself in positions to make plays,” Gregory said. “When you get guys lined up in the right areas, guys doing the right thing, guys on the same page – that’s how you make plays.”
The other reason is due to how quickly Gregory has been able to assimilate himself into the defense after spending the last six seasons playing for the San Diego Chargers, where many believe that he was miscast at strong safety.
Gregory no longer has to worry about his spot on the field since the Patriots are reluctant to use designations with their safeties, though Chung’s role is more in line with what a strong safety would typically do. For the rest, Gregory has leaned heavily on Chung to help him learn the schemes and responsibilities.
Chung, meanwhile, has made a habit of picking Gregory’s brain about different things he’s picked up over the years.
"We kind of help each other," Chung said. "He's a veteran he knows a lot of things that I don't know and he helps me out. I've been here for a while so I kind of help him out.
“He knows the system, so he’s been helping me out with that a little bit,” Gregory said. “There’s things we can both bring to each other. We talk a lot, talk football a lot, and it’s helping out.”
It may sound like Chung and Gregory’s relationship has the makings of a bad buddy flick, but if it harvests results, the Patriots will be all for it.