Free Agent DBs: Will the Patriots Bring Someone In?

You know, I'm starting to dislike that Richard Hill.

I know it isn't his fault. I know it has absolutely nothing to do with him. And he's a very good writer with some excellent insights into the Xs and Os of Patriots football. But dammit, almost every time I visit this blog, there he is reporting the latest insurmountable obstacle preventing the Patriots from having a solid chance at a Super Bowl run. I mean the guy is just relentless - if there's a Patriots injury, he's right there to report it.

His latest gem? The Patriots are going to be without Alfonzo Dennard, and possibly without Aqib Talib, as they get ready to face the #1 offense in the NFL. What was once the last remaining strength of what was once a very solid defense is gone, and what's left is little more than a collection of rookies, castoffs, and career special teamers. What was already pegged to be the toughest game on the schedule just got a whole lot tougher as Bill Belichick has to try and figure out some way to stop Peyton Manning, Demaryius Thomas, and Wes Welker with the likes of Marquice Cole, Logan Ryan, and Nate Ebner.

One thing that may possibly be on the table, given the latest rash of injuries to the secondary, is to bring in another free agent corner to add some depth and give the Patriots a little more flexibility in their defensive schemes. And while the odds of the Pats bringing in a new corner and expecting him to learn the defense in a few short days the week before New England faces Denver are pretty damn slim, if it comes down to trotting an experienced corner out there or Julian Edelman, I'll take the former every day of the week and twice on Sunday - although taking it twice on Sunday doubles his chances of ending up on IR.

So while we'll likely see Devin McCourty, Kyle Arrington, and Logan Ryan at corner with Duron Harmon and a combination of Ebner/Tavon Wilson at saftey (eek), here are the players who are currently available should the Patriots decide to bring someone new in. Not a whole lot of talent on this list, but I wouldn't be incredibly opposed to Asomugha if he's willing to come here for absolutely no guaranteed money and a clause that he is only allowed to open his mouth to eat, drink, and put in his mouthguard. Cedric Griffin was once a decent corner, but he's older and who knows what kind of shape he's in after the Redskins let him go. Routt also used to be a solid corner, but that was a while ago.

Again, not a lot to work with, but if the Pats are desperate, there are some guys there.

Nnamdi Asomugha
Ronald Bartell
Stanford Routt
Shawntae Spencer
Sheldon Brown
Terrence McGee
Joselio Hanson
Jason Allen
Drew Coleman
Cedric Griffin
Nate Clements
Marcus Trufant
Chris Johnson
Will Allen
D.J. Moore
Perrish Cox
Brandon Hughes
Jalil Brown
Patrick Lee
Antwaun Molden
Ryan Mouton
Kennard Cox
Michael Coe
Justin Tryon
Brandon McDonald
Justin King
LeQuan Lewis
Kevin Barnes
Bruce Johnson
Travis Daniels
William Middleton
Coye Francies
Brian Witherspoon
Myron Lewis
Brandon Burton
Trevard Lindley
Bryan McCann
Terrence Johnson
DeQuan Menzie
Akwasi Owusu-Ansah