Cole is a fine special teams signing. He is one of our very best. This is enough for him to make the team.
Cole is also the #5, emergency CB. He's probably much better than other 5th CB's in the league. After all, he know our system and has experience.
So, we have what I wanted as a start for our defensive backfield, the re-signing of Talib, Arrington, and Cole; and we have an upgrade to Chung. This is the patriot way. We also have Dennard and Dowling for next year.
It is very misleading to say that we haven't improved at corner because the players are the same.
A) Dennard was not a starter until late. He will continue to develop.
B) Talib was here for only a few games.
C) Dowling was on IR.
D) Even Cole was injured for some of the games.
E) We improved our pass coverage by Fletcher coming back and by adding Wilson (as an additional LB on passing downs.
F) Hopefully, we will also see improvement from Tavon, but with Wilson, we are certainly better off than we were with Chung.
G) Finally, we hope that the DL pass-rush will improve. This is likely to happen with Jones playing a full season and the addition of Armstead, and perhaps Pryor. Obviosuly, we are looking to add a pass-rusher. That would be even better.
H) Belichick will bring in his usual cast of JAGs. But unless Dowling is not healthy, what you see is likely to be what you get at corner.
