Shawn Springs Expected To Sign With Patriots

Shalise Manza Young of the Providence Journal reports:

Veteran free agent CB Shawn Springs is expected to sign with the New England Patriots, after visiting with both the Pats and Eagles this week.

(It was reported that Springs was to visit Foxboro on Sunday, but he was delayed by the snow storm that hit the East Coast.)

The former first-round pick was released by the Washington Redskins last week in a salary-cap move. The 6-foot, 207-pound former first-round pick has played 11 seasons.

This is certainly a big move for the Patriots.  The Pats will line up Springs next to Ellis Hobbs as our starting cornerbacks, with Jonathan Wilhite and Terrence Wheatley mixing it up in nickel and dime packages.

Very solid signing in my opinion.  While Springs might not have the youth of say a Leigh Bodden, he has the size, physicality, and instincts to excel in the Patriots system.  He reminds me a lot of Ty Law with his bump and run style, good ball skills, and insincts.

I still wouldn’t be surprised if the Patriots picked up another cornerback.  Whether it be a Chris Carr, or a rookie.  Still, the Patriots cornerback corps looks a whole lot better than it did it 2008 already.