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Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Patriots Sign 1st Round Pick Chandler Jones To 4-Year Deal With 5th-Year Team Option

Today, Chandler Jones-the Patriots' 2012 first-round pick (21st overall)-agreed to a four-year deal with a fifth-year team option. Terms were not disclosed.

The defensive end from Syracuse figures to have a big role on the Super Bowl contender right off the bat, particularly if they don't re-sign Andre Carter (which most believe they will). Jones is the fifth Patriot from the 2012 Draft class to sign, leaving only linebacker Dont'a Hightower and defensive end Jake Bequette as the remaining rookies that haven't gotten that out of the way.

I think I speak for all Patriots fans when I say that I can't wait to see what New England head coach Bill Belichick chooses to do with Jones. It's been a long time since he had a talented youngster on the defensive line, particularly one that's an end (Richard Seymour?). For years, that has basically been a black hole for the Patriots and they've pretended that sacks and quarterback pressures are irrelevant which couldn't be further from the truth. Especially when you have such a bad secondary.

The fact that Belichick traded up to get Jones can only mean one thing: the guy can play.

UPDATE 5/25: Today the Patriots agreed to a contract with free agent guard/center Jamey Richard. The 27-year-old Richard played 48 games (11 starts) with the Colts since being drafted in the 7th round (2008). In other words, he's just a big body to use during OTAs, minicamps and training camp before the real players all return to the field.





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