After veterans Fernando Bryant and Jason Webster failed to make the final 53-man roster, the Patriots were looking as if they were going to head into the regular season with only Ellis Hobbs, Lewis Sanders and a pair of rookies (11 career interceptions for the group) holding down the cornerback spots on the roster. Not exactly the deepest unit in the league.
O'Neal has played in a pair of Pro Bowls in his career, and was tied for the NFL lead in interceptions just three years ago (with Ty Law!) when he set a Bengals franchise record with ten picks during the 2005 season. Obviously, he has pretty good hands and can come away with his fair share of interceptions, but he's quite the gambler and never met a pump-fake he didn't like.
The cynical observer might think the Patriots are at the end of their salary-cap-era dynasty, a run that started with their improbable 2001 Super Bowl victory over the Rams. With Asante Samuelnow in Philly, Junior Seau and Tedy Bruschi at the end of their careers (even though both might be back in '08), Rosie Colvin released, Randy Moss's future with the organization up in the air, and the circus that has become Patriotgate, it's only natural to conclude that next season will be very different than last.
In theory, maybe, but Bill Belichick has an annoying habit of fielding competitive teams, even if the talent might suggest otherwise. Whatever, 2008 could be his biggest challenge. While we wait for the Moss situation to resolve itself, the Boston Globe is reporting that New England is going about the business of replacing Samuel.
The obvious choice is backup Randall Gay, but he too could sign elsewhere. Gay isn't a game-changer like Samuel, but he's been a solid contributor during his four-year career. And if the Pats don't re-sign him, their secondary goes from not bad to very, very bad in the span of a few weeks.
The Bills lost a lot more than just the game this afternoon against Denver. And while the last-second field by Broncos kicker Jason Elam was heartbreaking, Buffalo has to be far more concerned with the various injuries suffered throughout the game.
Perhaps the most disconcerting was the injury sustained by tight end Kevin Everett, who was taken out in an ambulance after a helmet-to-helmet hit in the third quarter. He appeared to lose consciousness before hitting the ground, and it is not yet known if it has been regained.
In addition to Everett, safety Ko Simpson suffered a broken ankle, cornerback Jason Webster suffered a broke forearm and Coy Wire sprained his knee. And while they all appear to be serious, they pale in comparison to Everett's injury, which may end up being career, or even life threatening.
Taking into account that it's the preseason, many of the players sitting on the sidelines tonight would normally be on the field if it was a meaningful game. With that said, I'm sure most fans would like to know who they should expect to see this evening. For that reason, I've done by best to create an accurate injury report -- official reports are not posted until week one of the regular season.
Taking into account that it's the preseason, many of the players sitting on the sidelines tonight would normally be on the field if it was a meaningful game. With that said, I'm sure most fans would like to know who they should expect to see this evening. For that reason, I've done by best to create an accurate injury report -- official reports are not posted until week one of the regular season.
Bills cornerback Jason Webster has been frustrated by injury over the last four seasons, but he feels like that's going to change this year. He believes he's going to revert back to his college and 49er days when he did not miss a single game over the stretch of seven years.
"I feel like I'm due," Webster said. "I'm looking forward to being out there the whole year."
Determination is the first step in reaching a goal. Webster's optimistic attitude could help yield equally positive results.
After losing Nate Clements via free agency, the Bills will be desperate for someone to step up and take the reigns and lead that secondary. Webster, when healthy, has the potential to be a high quality cornerback and if he can stay healthy, may end up being the steal of the offseason.
"I've been following Jason since he came out of college," said Bills secondary coach George Catavolos. "He's always been an excellent technician and a hard-nosed player. He's a true pro who studies the game and works hard. He's the complete package. He's a good cover guy. He may not be big in stature, but that doesn't keep him from filling against the run."
Here's to hoping Webster turns out to be the impact player he's capable of being.
Webster, who was released by the Falcons in March, had been the starting cornerback in Atlanta for three years. Unfortunately, injuries have become a major concern in this young man's career. Over the last three seasons he's only been able to play 33 games. In fact, the Falcons released him mainly because they thought he wouldn't pass a physical following hernia surgery.
If he's able to remain healthy, he'll certainly be a quality depth addition. In eight NFL seasons he's collected 397 tackles, 11 interceptions, six forced fumbles and 43 passes defended.
Webster, a seven-year NFL veteran, had been the Falcons starting cornerback for the last three years. However, injuries had limited him to only 33 games over the last three seasons and he became expendable when the Falcons selected Chris Houston in the second-round of the NFL Draft.
There was also concern that Webster would not have been able to pass a physical following hernia surgery. Despite being only 30, injuries have ravaged this young man's career and it may be time for him to hang them up.
In 86 career games, Webster collected 397 tackles, 11 interceptions, .5 sacks and 43 passes defended.
The Patriots signed a free agent cornerback today, but it wasn't the guy Rodney Harrison was asking for. According to Mike Reiss of the Boston Globe, the Patriots announced the signing of free agent Deltha O'Neal this morning just two days after he was released by the Bengals. 
Taking into account that it's the preseason, many of the players sitting on the sidelines tonight would normally be on the field if it was a meaningful game. With that said, I'm sure most fans would like to know who they should expect to see this evening. For that reason, I've done by best to create an accurate injury report -- official reports are not posted until week one of the regular season.
Taking into account that it's the preseason, many of the players sitting on the sidelines tonight would normally be on the field if it was a meaningful game. With that said, I'm sure most fans would like to know who they should expect to see this evening. For that reason, I've done by best to create an accurate injury report -- official reports are not posted until week one of the regular season.
Bills cornerback 
According to a report by WGR 500, the Buffalo Bills have 
The Atlanta Falcons have 
