Fernando Bryant, formerly of the Lions and Jaguars, just signed with the Patriots. With Bryant's signing, the Patriots continue to value experience over youth. (Bryant is 30). The Patriots' defense is going to fall to pieces this year. Adalius Thomas, Mike Vrabel, Tedy Bruschi, Junior Seau and Rodney Harrison are all over 30. Injuries and slowness are going to get the better of them this season. The thing is, the Patriots were always known for their draft day savvy. Their last two first picks, Chad Jackson and Brandon Mayweather, were not the players they thought they'd be. Pioli and Belichick have tried to amend these mistakes by signing veterans. This team is old, and they're going to pay the price this season.
Chad Jackson was a second round pick, and Brandon Mayweather was a college basketball player for Arkansas-Monticello. Lawrence Maroney was their first rounder two years ago. So far in free agency their strategy seems to be taking a bunch of experience veterans and seeing what sticks, and I'd guess that half of the db's they've signed will get cut during training camp. Merriweather showed some decent progress towards the second half of last year, and for Jackson this will be his make or break year, IMO after having 2 injury plagued seasons. This New England defense looks pretty old right now, but it may look different in 2 months after they spend an entire draft focusing on defense alone (which I predict they will).
I think they move Brandon Merriweather to CB. I remember during the draft processes before Draft Day he was being looked at as a safety and possible CB. If this is the case, than they might be set at that spot. Bryant has seen better days for sure and has regressed in play recently, but probably has a few solid years in the nickel or in reserve play left...
so this likely takes them out of the eventual list of signees for Ty Law... does that mean he is all but a lock to come back to NY?
anyone named "fernando bryant" is obviously a dirty cheater and would feel right at home with the patriots. because they are dirty, dirty cheaters.
