Patriots Sign Their Newest Cult Hero-Nate Ebner

If you were a college star in some manly sport other than football, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick already likes you. Who could forget that Stephen Neal, a champion collegiate wrestler, didn't even play NCAA football but he became a solid offensive lineman with New England before retiring last year.

Now, Belichick will try to work his magic with the team's 2012 sixth-round pick (197th overall), defensive back Nate Ebner from Ohio State. A legendary rugby player for the Buckeyes (look him up on YouTube), Ebner walked on to the football team and was named Ohio State's outstanding special teams player in 2011 after appearing in 12 games.

Today, he became the fourth Patriots draft pick from the 2012 class to sign, joining new teammates Tavon Wilson (defensive back), Jeremy Ebert (wide receiver) and Alfonzo Dennard (cornerback). This leaves first-round picks Chandler Jones (defensive end) and Dont'a Hightower (linebacker) along with third-round selection Jake Bequette (defensive end) as the three rookies that have yet to sign with New England.

Once the preseason starts in August, assuming he's still on the team, it should be fun to see Ebner flying around on special teams and in the secondary. You know Belichick would like nothing more than to mold him into a role player that coaches, fans and other players on his team love.

It's a thankless job but everyone enjoys a guy that can supply some big hits on kickoffs and punt returns that get his team and the lame Gillette Stadium crowd fired up.

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