New England followed up its Saturday re-signing of Julian Edelman with the addition of another free agent receiver. According to multiple media reports, the Patriots came to an agreement on a three-year deal withBrandon LaFell, formerly of Carolina.
And they didn't stop there with their courtship of wide receivers, apparently. The club is also reportedly planning to host troubled-yet-talented Kenny Britt, who has run afoul of the law numerous times.
The signing of LaFell (6-2, 210) gives the Patriots another big target, along with Aaron Dobson, at wide receiver, but also a player who has the proven ability to line up either on the outside or in the slot. The 27-year-old did both effectively for the Panthers over the past four seasons.
Britt, meantime, is another big-bodied receiver (6-3, 225) with undeniable big-play skills, but his lengthy arrest record (nine times since 2009) is a characteristic you'd think the team would consider anathema to "the Patriot way," especially in light of recent history. However, Britt is a former Rutgers player, and we all know Bill Belichick's penchant for athletes who come out of that program.
It remains to be seen if the Britt visit is anything more than a media report, but there seems to be legitimacy to the chatter about LaFell having inked a deal with the team. That would mean the Patriots have addressed two significant areas of need this offseason in the first week of free agency: wide receiver and defensive back, with the earlier signings of Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner.
New England still must fill a void at pass rusher and there are still at least one big name out there in Jared Allen. If New England can somehow convince Allen to join the team, this could wind up being the most impactful offseason of free agent signings in franchise history, on defense at the very least, if not overall.
What do you think about New England's weekend moves at wide receiver? As always, let us know with a comment below.
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