Getty ImagesWhen the Patriots signed James Ihedigbo as a free agent last summer, they probably didn’t expect him to play as much defense as he did last season.
Ihedigbo is a safety, but most of his playing time with the Jets came on special teams and he profiled to the same role as a member of the Patriots. The safety spot next to Patrick Chung was a problem for the team all year, though, and Ihedigbo got plenty of chances to show his stuff in that spot. Ihedigbo started 12 times and wound up playing nearly 70 percent of the team’s defensive snaps.
It wasn’t a rousing success, but the Patriots have re-signed Ihedigbo all the same. The Patriots announced the move on Friday afternoon, although the idea is likely to put the original plan in motion this season. Steve Gregory has settled into the starting spot alongside Chung, something the Patriots hope won’t change over the course of the season.
Ihedigbo had shoulder surgery after the season and wouldn’t have been ready to participate in the team’s offseason activities. He should be totally ready to go when the team reports to training camp next month.
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Please don’t allow him to do anything other than Special Teams.
Great, so Pats fans get to look forward to seeing Ihedigbo being worked on by the trainers after every play again this upcoming season.
They drafted a free safety in the second round you know.
We have to be the deepest team in the league.. ok maybe im biased.
Why bother. Can’t run,Can’t cover,Wiffs on more hits than he makes. Sounds like a Jets defender to me.
J-E-T-S
glad to hear he’s re-signed…the guy may not be a good starter but he was great as a role player and he always played hard
Good “role” player a whole lot better then Sergio Brown and Josh Barrett.
Sweet…that’s the key piece to the puzzle. He’ll put us over the top now! Super Bowl title or bust!!! *sarcasm*
He’s a good role player and for depth. He understands the system and largely is where he needs to be at the right time. I’m glad there’s a few other guys ahead of him on the depth chart, but with Chung’s inability to stay healthy…this is a smart signing.
Who cares, big deal, whoopdeedoo!
Now go ahead and delete this one too you jagoff, this will make number 5!