The New England Patriots have been an active team in free agency in 2013, allowing long-time wideout Wes Welker to leave to the Broncos, while bringing in Rams wide receiver Danny Amendola on a five-year deal, making sure quarterback Tom Brady has weapons for next year.
The team was rumored to be interested in Ed Reed and Charles Woodson, but according to ESPN.com, the Patriots have signed free agent safety Adrian Wilson, who has spent 12 seasons in Arizona. The team announced the news on Saturday and Xtra Sports 910 in Phoenix first reported the signing. The 33-year-old was released by the Cardinals in a cap saving move and now the Patriots have added depth to their secondary.
Wilson has been a consistent player for the Cardinals during his career and made the All-Pro team four times in Arizona. He recorded 54 tackles last season and made one interception and one forced fumble. Wilson joins a deep position with the Patriots, with Devin McCourty, Nate Ebner and Tavon Wilson all on the team.
Wilson played in 15 games last season and has been relatively healthy throughout his career and according to ESPN.com, he is one of six players with 25 sacks and 25 interceptions in his career. Wilson wrote about the news after the signing on Twitter:
"#PATRIOTSNATION. I'LL TRY MY BEST TO TWEET. REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY. GREAT FANS AND GREAT TEAM!!!!"
The Patriots also added depth to the secondary, re-signing cornerback Aqib Talib to a one-year deal after trading for him from the Buccaneers last season. The cornerback position needed some depth after last season and the team also signed Kyle Arrington to a four-year deal on Friday.
Wilson and Talib will help bring depth and talent to the secondary and Talib will likely serve as the top cornerback on the defense. The 26-year-old cornerback made one interception in six games with New England and made 19 tackles during the 2012 season. The Patriots ranked 29th in the league in passing defense and bringing in Wilson will be a much-needed presence on the field.
The Patriots were reportedly interested in Ed Reed, but after the safety visited the Houston Texans, there are reports that he will re-sign with Baltimore. Bill Belichick has always said he admires Reed, but after bringing in Wilson, chances are Reed will not head to New England. The Patriots went 12-4 last season and were defeated by the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC championship game 28-13. The team ranked fourth in passing and seventh in rushing last season as the highest-scoring team in the league.
The Patriots were excellent against the run, ranking in the top 10 of yards per game, but allowed over 270 yards per game through the air. The additions of Wilson and Talib as well as Arrington should help improve the secondary heading into next season. The team also could look to the draft for cornerback depth, including someone like Desmond Trufant, who could fall to the team in in the first or second round.
