BY NICK ST. DENIS
The New England Patriots weren't quick to re-snag cornerback Aqib Talib when he hit free agency. They had other plans.
Three days after watching Talib sign with the Denver Broncos to the tune of $9.5 million over six years, the Patriots made the blockbuster signing of Darrelle Revis via a two-year, $32 million deal.
"Bill [Belichick] sure didn’t want to give me that money," Talib recently told NFL Network, via CSNNE. "So hey man, he gave it to Revis. It is what it is."
He did. Well, they did. And, if we're being honest, the better cornerback got the better contract (at least if we're talking short-term, which is all the NFL is good for).
The Patriots also inked suspended cornerback Brandon Browner a day later to a three-year, $17 million contract, helping further bolster what looks to be a stellar defensive backfield on paper.
When Browner returns from a four-game forced break due to his violating the league's substance abuse policy, he could step in immediately as the starter opposite Revis. Or he could be used at safety. Or a little of both.
With Alfonzo Dennard, Logan Ryan and Kyle Arrington all returning at the position, the Patriots have plenty of options--which hasn't always been the case the last half-decade.
Talib isn't one of those options, though he certainly ranks himself above them all.
"When it come to the cornerbacks man, it only should be about four cornerbacks who you could even consider in front of me,"Talib said. "Pat Pete (Patrick Peterson). Joe Haden, (Richard) Sherman and (Darrelle) Revis."
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