it's official: Lenon to Patriots

Following up on yesterday's news that the Patriots worked out former Lions LB Paris Lenon, Mike Riess of the Boston Globe reports that the Pats went ahead and inked him to a deal; terms were not initially disclosed.  Lenon should get an opportunity to be the top backup at ILB, and plenty of looks on special teams.  Also, one would think that Tedy Bruschi is nearing the end of the road, so Lenon has a chance to earn the inside shot at starting next to 2008 defensive rookie of the year Jerod Mayo.

Discussion is underway in The Den!

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from 0-16 to 16-0

For reasons that are difficult to discern, there's been a steady stream of free agents--players who'd been tarred, feathered, and rode out of Detroit on a rail--ending up in New England, as part of one of the most outstanding franchises in sports.  First, there was Fernando Bryant.  Then, Leigh Bodden.  Now, the Patriots have worked out former Lions LB Paris Lenon.  Needing an inside linebacker, they're hoping the 235-pound Lenon can play the same role that new Lions LB Larry Foote played on the Steelers.  Lenon is a competitor, a veteran, and reasonably athletic.  However, in Detroit he was never athletic enough to cover like a safety--as Tampa 2 LBs must occasionally do--and yet he also lacked the size and strength to stuff the many runners blowing past the Lions' defensive line.  A decent player, and good tackler, who was not enough of anything to be special here, could have a very nice couple of years being a "good tackler" in the middle of New England's vaunted defense.

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