New England Patriots Sign Safety James Ihedigbo

by Richard Hill on Aug 21, 2011 2:57 AM EDT in New England Patriots News

The Patriots are running a little thin at the safety position and have been shopping around for additional players. Pat Chung is ready to go, Brandon Meriweather is playing ball, and Sergio Brown has entered the starting rotation due to his versatility at both strong safety and free safety. Apart from those three players, the Patriots have James Sanders who just recently returned to practice after having sat out most of camp, and Bret Lockett who is now injured. As a result of the lack of depth at the safety position, the Patriots signed hometown boy James Ihedigbo.

Ihedigbo grew up in western Massachusetts and attended UMass Amherst. He went undrafted and was picked up by the New York Jets where he played for four seasons. At 6-1, 215 lbs, Ihedigbo brings a lot of size and physicality to the safety position and claims that he models his game after Rodney Harrison. He hits hard and has had success rushing the quarterback, having picked up 3 sacks this past season out of a reserve role.

Apart from rushing the quarterback, Ihedigbo is a successful special teams player with the majority of his tackles coming on special teams. Coach Belichick should have some fun with Ihedigbo coming out of the secondary and could throw a couple additional wrinkles into the defense.

However, while Ihedigbo is a feel good story as he returns home, he was still a low impact every down player in the Jets' secondary, which means that there is a fair chance that he could be injury insurance and not a long term solution. He should have a shot at making the final roster, but don't be surprised if he just adds depth for camp so another Danny Woodhead-esque disaster hit doesn't happen to a potential starting safety.

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In other news:

The Patriots signed LB Ricky Brown, the former Oakland Raider, who should push Tracy White, the injured Jeff Tarpinian, and the surprising Niko Koutouvides (almost spelled it correctly the first time!) for the special teams linebacker on the roster. Brown also started at linebacker for a couple seasons, so he's capable of stepping on the field in a pinch.

Former Jets DE Shaun Ellis is removed from the PUP list, which means that he should now be an active participant for the rest of camp. It will be interesting to see the veteran impact on the young roster, especially due to the great logjam of talent on the defensive line. At least three of Myron Pryor, Mike Wright, Ron Brace, Darryl Richard, Brandon Deaderick, Gerard Warren, and Shaun Ellis will not be on the final roster, which means that the Patriots will be forced to balance current talent with expected future performance.

Veteran RB Clinton Portis visited and spun his tires, most likely as a check-up by the Patriots Front Office to create a list of emergency middle-of-the-season contacts.

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Need more depth at Safety, so anyone they grab is welcome.

Plus he plays STs, so this could be it for Barrett if they are willing to let him go rather than IR.

"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West

by ISN on Aug 21, 2011 3:15 AM EDT reply actions

Xoutouvides, not Koutouvides

by quadruple option on Aug 21, 2011 3:24 AM EDT reply actions

It seems that Brace and Deaderick will start on PUP. Buys BB six weeks to evaluate the players he keeps. Assuming the keepers are playing well, I guess Brace and Deaderick could both get released, both could go on IR, or one could be released and one could go on IR.

I favor the predictions by others about keeping 5 (S) and 6 (LB’s). I am releasing Maneri (OL) and placing Wright (DL) on IR to make room for Ihedigbo (S) and White (LB). That leaves 8 (OL) and 10 (DL + DE)

by OneOpinion on Aug 21, 2011 9:58 AM EDT reply actions

That's what I'm thinking.

I feel like Brace will definitely start on PUP.

You’re releasing Maneri? So who are your tackles?

Pats Pulpit | @Follow Me On Twitter

by Richard Hill on Aug 21, 2011 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions

I dont know why everyone is keen on 8 OL

Two injuries could happen in a game at interior O-line and we’d be screwed. 9 OL is way better in terms of depth and still have 10 D-lineman

Trevor Bauer: 5 Starts, 1-1, 2.84 ERA, 19 IP, 33K in the minors
Tom Brady: 11-19, 118 Yds, 2 TD in 1 preseason Game

by freeland1787 on Aug 21, 2011 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Hoodie's usually gone with 9 or 10.

Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Contributing Writer at PatsPulpit

by Comedic.Sans on Aug 22, 2011 3:17 AM EDT up reply actions

Thanks. You found my error.

I rushed a reply post in response to other posters who favored a couple of additional ST guys. I feel they are correct. I originally had 8 OL, and I meant to keep that total with Cannon (the 9th) on some version of PUP. Maneri must stay to keep the OL total at 8 until Cannon is activated.

That leaves either White or Ihedigbo being added with Wright going on IR from my roster predictions posting. To add White and Ihedigbo, I think Slater would have to go. In my view, I’d keep Slater and add just one of those guys. I’d expect Ghost to create automatic touchbacks, and lessen that ST need.

With other posters favoring the WR’s running crissing routes and risking severe hits, it is essential to keep Slater (6th WR) on the actice roster. Because it is all but guarenteed that a WR will go down with those types of routes.

I must say, it is tough keeping that 4th TE. Thank goodness Ghost is clearing the back of the end zone with 50 and 60 yd field goals in practice because a second kicker would be nearly impossible to keep as much as I value automatic touchbacks.

by OneOpinion on Aug 21, 2011 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree. That will be the fate of Brace and Deaderick. I’m hoping both go on IR for season if they can’t be moved in to replace injured players. For the first 6 weeks, the Patriots will be very deep in DL talent.

by prioris on Aug 21, 2011 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m hoping both go on IR for season

Oh nooo

Taylor Price will be the starter by the end of the season (Said before Training Camp)

by Chris Kole on Aug 21, 2011 6:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Just curious- which team is worst

Miami Dolphins or the Manning-less Colts?

Trevor Bauer: 5 Starts, 1-1, 2.84 ERA, 19 IP, 33K in the minors
Tom Brady: 11-19, 118 Yds, 2 TD in 1 preseason Game

by freeland1787 on Aug 21, 2011 12:39 PM EDT reply actions

Phins looked real good in their 2nd pre-season game. I think the Phins can stick with a Colt team with Manning on the

field for quite a while until 18 eventually pulls away in the late 3rd or 4th. Without 5-HEad its a Phin rout.

Lewis Hamilton~ 2011 F1 Champion!!!
Life is about who makes it, not who makes it the fastest! Drive slow homie.

by PatNation85 on Aug 21, 2011 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Manning-less Colts.

Remove Manning and they come in 4th in their division- and I don’t think any Colts fan would deny that.

Dolphins are an 8-8 team, possibly 9-7.

Pats Pulpit | @Follow Me On Twitter

by Richard Hill on Aug 21, 2011 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions

The last time NE dominated Indy in the regular season was in 2001

back when the Colts sucked and Manning was Manning yet.

Trevor Bauer: 5 Starts, 1-1, 2.84 ERA, 19 IP, 33K in the minors
Tom Brady: 11-19, 118 Yds, 2 TD in 1 preseason Game

by freeland1787 on Aug 21, 2011 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions

8/21/2011 Adjustments based on other poster’s feedback and predictions. I recognize the need for an additional ST player on my original list. Two would easily be justified, but I am hanging strong on 4 TE’s. I favor the idea of building on a powerful offense to establish leads allowing the defense to defend against opponents who are more desperate.

QB (3) Brady, Hoyer, Mallet
  RB (4) BJGE, Woodhead, Vereen, Ridley, (Faulk on PUP)
  WR (6) Branch, Ocho, Welker, Edelman, Price, Slater
  TE (4) Gronk, Hernandez, Smith, Yeatman
  OL (8) Light, Solder, Mankins, Koppen, Connolly, Vollmer, Wendell, Maneri (Cannon – unable list))
  Offense = 25

S (4) Meriweather, Chung, Sanders, Brown
  DB (5) McCourty, Bodden, Arrington, Dowling, Butler
  DE (5): Cunningham, Moore, Ellis, A. Carter, Anderson
  DT (5): Wilfork, Haynesworth, ~~Wright~~, Warren, Pryor, Love (Brace,Deaderick on PUP)
  LB (6): Mayo, Spikes, Guyton, Fletcher, Ninkovich, White
Defense = 25

Specialists (3): Gostkowski, Mesko, Katula

Medilin, Ross, Koepplin … practice squad
Wright … IR

White wins out over Ihedigbo with Fletcher’s recent thumb injury. If my TE total is wrong, then I expect Ihedigbo to be added and Smith or Yeatman to be sent to the practice squad.

by OneOpinion on Aug 21, 2011 2:16 PM EDT reply actions

You do this on every thread? lol

Lewis Hamilton~ 2011 F1 Champion!!!
Life is about who makes it, not who makes it the fastest! Drive slow homie.

by PatNation85 on Aug 21, 2011 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs

I know. But, it’s nice to generate other predictions from other posters. I really benefitted from others who made their case for more ST players. Likewise, seeing other’s reasoning for their selections is quite interesting.

by OneOpinion on Aug 21, 2011 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree with a lot except i think that we should all 7 WR's. 3 TE's, with either Yeatman or Smith on the

“Foxboro Flu” list.
6 Defensive Linemen: Wilfork, Haynesworth, Pryor, Love, Ellis and Warren/D. Richard.
5 DE/Linebackers: Cunningham, Moore, Carter, Anderson, Ninkovich
5 Linebackers:Spikes, Mayo, Fletcher, Guyton, White.
4 RB’s seem ideal. I certainly hope Vereen doesn’t get IR. I open the threads numerous times a day just to see the headline, “Vereen on practice field,” but no dice. If he nor Dowling gets a chance to play this year, that would be a setback for us i think. Many of us were counting on Dowling to be at least a #3 CB. I do not have much faith in Arrington. And with Bodden’s injury some things may look like last year. But that’s worst case scenario for the DB’s.

Lewis Hamilton~ 2011 F1 Champion!!!
Life is about who makes it, not who makes it the fastest! Drive slow homie.

by PatNation85 on Aug 21, 2011 5:35 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree on both Dowling and Vereen probably due to the success BB has had with recent draft picks. We have come to expect these new players to step in and contribute.

I am definitely wishing for an unlikely scenario with 4 TE’s. A 5th safety or an additional LB are more likely. The nice thing is that we always know BB and staff will ultimately put together the very best 53 based on the schemes they are planning to execute.

There will be a feeding frenzy once the PATS release their remaining 30 +/- players.

I think the practice squad should be untouchable in the NFL design. It should reward coaching and drafting by allowing teams to create a solid, dependable development system. I see no reason why other teams should be able to take these players. Think of the time and investment BB and staff have put into these players (and other NFL coaches). Plus, these players have had access to the play book.The practice squad should be the JV allowing coaches to hold onto projects and guys who can offer depth at certain positions.

Perfect examples:

Smith or Yeatman, Koepplin, Medilin, Ross, etc.

In my view, the design should be simple. A player decides to accept their appointment knowing he must stay put. Or, a player opts not to accept the appointment feeling he has a chance to be signed to another 53 man roster. That is a simple, effective design.

by OneOpinion on Aug 21, 2011 6:42 PM EDT up reply actions

If practice squads were untouchable, the Pats wouldn't have had guys like Kyle Arrington or Stephen Neal.

Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Contributing Writer at PatsPulpit

by Comedic.Sans on Aug 22, 2011 3:35 AM EDT up reply actions

He's got OneOpinion, clearly - 4TEs, all the time.

Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Contributing Writer at PatsPulpit

by Comedic.Sans on Aug 22, 2011 3:27 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

I don't think Smith and Yeatman are locks at all.

I think it’s just as likely we keep just Gronk and Hernandez and use a backup T as the blocking TE when necessary.

Deep in enemy territory

by JeffyB on Aug 22, 2011 7:38 AM EDT up reply actions

They were doing that in 09.

Tips the defense as to the play more than adding a TE instead, even if the TE is a blocker. Keeps the defender thinking, “what if this is the play he runs out into the flat?”

"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West

by ISN on Aug 22, 2011 8:03 AM EDT up reply actions

So do TEs that can't catch

Yeatman and Smith haven’t impressed anyone in the passing game

Deep in enemy territory

by JeffyB on Aug 22, 2011 8:54 AM EDT up reply actions

But Yeatman is at least a threat to run a route a few times.

Think Brady is going to throw it to a backup tackle with a linebacker trailing him?

"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West

by ISN on Aug 22, 2011 9:26 AM EDT up reply actions

How often did he throw to Crumpler last year?

He didn’t even have a reception until like the Detroit game. It’s not like the passing offense if going to hinge on some blocker who might have to catch a pass once every six games. Our blocking TEs stayed in pass protection most of the time anyways.

Deep in enemy territory

by JeffyB on Aug 22, 2011 9:36 AM EDT up reply actions

Dont see the logic in 8 OL and 4 Safeties

It hurts the team more to have 4 TE than 5 Safeties and to have no depth if someone gets injured at Guard for a 6th WR who wont catch a single pass this season.

Trevor Bauer: 5 Starts, 1-1, 2.84 ERA, 19 IP, 33K in the minors
Tom Brady: 11-19, 118 Yds, 2 TD in 1 preseason Game

by freeland1787 on Aug 21, 2011 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions

5 of 8 on the OL start

so having 3 backups is just fine imo.

I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP

by Jack'sAxe on Aug 21, 2011 4:40 PM EDT up reply actions

ricky brown is good. not great though.

he will struggle reading the defense.

by Jack'sAxe on Aug 21, 2011 4:39 PM EDT reply actions

*offense

by Jack'sAxe on Aug 21, 2011 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions

And clinton portis is good imo.

but i doubt we sign him.

by Jack'sAxe on Aug 21, 2011 6:08 PM EDT reply actions

Reports have him really out of shape

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Aug 21, 2011 7:01 PM EDT up reply actions

really.... he has been productive though.

by Jack'sAxe on Aug 21, 2011 8:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Smith to PS

I don’t think it makes any sense to keep both Yeatman and Smith on the roster as they do exactly the same thing, and I think they seem to like Yeatman more.

They will try to get Smith on the PS, as long as Crumpler is on speed dial. Crumpler gets picked up that may change things, but I still think it’s a waste having two guys who do exactly the same thing.

by buachz on Aug 21, 2011 6:45 PM EDT reply actions

No argument that they are duplicates. Keeping both does fall in the luxury realm. However, I see two advantages to keeping both Smith and Yeatman.

1 Injury depth at the TE position given how important and significant the TE is within the system, and how much they are used on offense. Expecting Gronk and only one other (Smith or Yeatman) to handle that much interior blocking w/o possible injury over an entire season is risky. Hernandez is not as effective as an interior blocker. Having Gronk, Smith, and Yeatman would be added insurance against an injury to one of them thus allowing the PATS to continue using double TE sets when they want to.

2 Deception: Gronk is the true blocker/receiver TE. Defenses will certainly not lose track of him given his receiving potential. However, like Crumpler, both Smith and Yeatman appear to have good receiving skills though they will be used primarily as blocking TE’s. There could be key scenarios where Smith and Yeatman are used as the double TE’s (Gronk subbed out), yet one or both could release (delayed or directly) on a play action. Chances are favorable that they would not be as closely watched as Gronk.

I doubt either Smith or Yeatman will make it to the practice squad. Hence, BB either keeps both or he loses one – and potentially plays against the one he loses.

by OneOpinion on Aug 21, 2011 9:22 PM EDT reply actions