New England Patriots Sign CB’s Bradley Fletcher, Robert McClain
By Cyrus Geller
According to Mike Reiss of ESPN Boston, the New England Patriots have signed cornerbacks Bradley Fletcher, and Robert McClain. Fletcher was last with the Philadelphia Eagles, while McClain was last with the Atlanta Falcons.
CB Bradley Fletcher, who visited the Patriots on Tuesday, is signing with the team. His agent @andysimms confirmed when asked.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) March 18, 2015
CB Robert McClain contract details: 1-year, $1.24 million. Signing bonus of 150k, roster bonus of 240k, base salary of 800k.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) March 18, 2015
When it was reported yesterday that the Pats had four corners in for a visit, the only guy I wanted to stay away from Foxboro was Bradley Fletcher. He was absolutely putrid last season in Philly, and while the Patriots’ cornerback depth is not great, I still would rather have someone else brought in.
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Now that Fletcher is actually here, I’m still not psyched about it, but after looking through a bit of tape, and reading some analysts’ views on his game, I have eased up my thoughts a tad. He isn’t even close to a number one corner, but given an elite safety like Devin McCourty, he could be competent. A rotation on the outside between him, Malcolm Butler, and Logan Ryan would be alright in my eyes, with the excellent Kyle Arrington manning the slot.
But make no mistake about it: going from Darrelle Revis to Bradley Fletcher on the outside is like driving a Ferrari, then turning it in for an old, dusty Toyota that barely runs. Fletcher is not a good corner. The Pats will have to deal with this throughout the 2015 season.
Of course with that said, I don’t think this is the last move the Pats will make in the cornerback market. Whether it is adding another via free agency, or targeting them in the draft, more moves will be made.