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Potential Patriots: Brian Williams 02.12.11 at 12:30 am ET
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Brian Williams knocks a pass away from Randy Moss in a 2009 game in Foxboro. (AP)

Despite the looming labor uncertainty, as free agency approaches, WEEI.com will continue to offer daily insight and analysis regarding options that could be available to the Patriots in free agency this offseason.

Brian Williams
Position: Cornerback
Team: Atlanta
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 202
Age: 31

Why the Patriots would be interested: Assuming that the Patriots get Leigh Bodden back healthy next season, the duo of Bodden and Devin McCourty could be one of the top corner tandems in the league. However, New England still needs to build depth at the position, and the possibility of a well-traveled veteran like the 31-year-old Williams providing quality snaps in relief of Bodden or McCourty or as a slot corner would make a lot of sense.

Why it would happen: There figure to be other, higher-profile corners on the market this offseason (Nnamdi Asomugha, Champ Bailey), but the Patriots are simply looking to build depth at the spot this offseason, and Williams, an unrestricted free agent, is as good a choice as any. He’s not a starter — age and injury have made sure of that — but he’s a smart veteran with a good rep. Williams has some positional versatility, as he’s played both corner and safety over the course of his career. It doesn’t appear the Falcons will franchise Williams, and he would almost certainly come at a reasonable price. He won’t remind anyone of Ty Law, but could provide a bridge year to younger corners or even step in in a pinch.

Why it won’t happen: Since 2005, when it comes to acquiring veteran free agent corners near the end of their careers, New England’s track record is pretty bad: Duane Starks. Shawn Springs. Deltha O’Neal. Lewis Sanders. Guh. In addition, the Patriots would seem unlikely to be interested in going too deep into their pockets for someone like Williams. For a veteran nearing the end of his career, if he’s interested in one final big splash, he won’t find it in New England.

Chances: The Patriots would be after a very specific type of player in this case — a veteran backup corner who would be capable of working in the slot and in occasional relief of the starters. If New England is looking to build depth at the position with a veteran corner and not spend a ton of dough, Williams seems like one of the best options out there.

Some alternatives: Richard Marshall (Carolina), Ike Taylor (Steelers), Chris Carr (Baltimore), Corey Graham (Chicago), Carlos Rogers (Washington).

Read More: Brian Williams, Carlos Rogers, Champ Bailey, Chris Carr Print  |  Bark It Up!  |  Digg It
  • Jimmy Freeze

    We already have several tier 2 corners…spend the cash, and get the real deal…Bailey or Asomugha…

  • Capt Flint

    Well, I like him way better than Katie Couric

  • Craig

    I’m with you Jimmy! But this is someone they like cause he probably will come cheap. I’m tired of it , why can’t we spend some money and load up with good proven players. You know there will be injuries. I like Asomuga but you might as well forget it with BB.

  • Vincent

    Did you not read the first line??? If Bodden comes back and true to form, you have One Potential Shutdown Corner making that 2nd year leap on an outstanding rookie season, and the other was your best Defensive back the season before. So why would you overspend on Nnamde or Champ bailey especially considering one just opted out of a once in a lifetime deal for a corner, and the other is on the downside of his career. Now if either one is willing to play ball and take a team friendly deal all things change but when you have two players in your system already doing exactly what you want out there then spend the money elsewhere and this team will be ready for another run.

  • Vincent

    @Craig did you not just remember 2007 Adalius Thomas, Wes Welker, Kyle Brady, Sammy Morris, Dante Stallworth, and the trade for Randy Moss. everyone except Randy Moss was instantly signed to a new deal, and that was changed after that season when he was signed to a 3yr deal. Stop with the whole BB & Kraft are cheap angle, in case you haven’t realized the teams that do well don’t just throw a ton of money at FA’s. Look at New England, Pittsburgh, Indy, San Diego, Baltimore & Philadelphia they all draft well, develop they’re players to the system they play, don’t overspend on FA’s and if and when they do make a move its to put them over the top with a player that will fit what they do and be willing to play for a little less so the team can still function. Otherwise your the Redskins (who will probably sign asomugah to a huge deal and watch him play like crap) who spend money on FA every year and never have anything to show for it.

  • patriotmarty12

    I dont think there will be FA this year and if there is it will only be a week maybe,this is not looking pretty,this whole cba thing could end up in court. Meetings have been called off, this means no trades, no team building, no offseason training 4 teams,which means a injury and noncohesive year for teams, which tranlates into bad football.Best year ever and could this really turn into the NHL deja vue?Both sides might be thinking they can walk a season and the fans would take them back. Maybe we should start considering looking at the UFL draft, NFL and Union dont look like they are going to play nice with each other anytime soon.

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