Big and Tall

Wait, what? Kenny Britt is still coming to Foxborough?

 

Okay, if New England signs the talented but troubled wide receiver (from Rutgers!) I’ll talk myself into believing he can turn his life and career around, that the locker room culture in Foxborough will provide the structure Britt needs to put an end to pigskin pundits and bobbleheads writing on his report card, “fails to work up to his potential.”

After all, there are things to like about Britt – see me talking myself into it? – like his size (6’ 3”, 220 pounds) and his age (just 25 years old). He also needs the Patriots more than the Patriots need him and if he isn’t smart enough to get that, his agent should.

Losing Aqib Talib hurt (not as much after applying the Darrelle Revis Band-Aid) but Talib’s year and a half in New England provides a template for other talented but troubled players looking to revive their professional lives and earning potential. Talib came to the Patriots tattooed with question marks and left with a big block of cheddar. After the disastrous start to his career in Tennessee, Britt needs to prove that he’s worth Eric Decker money. If he can thrive in Foxborough, if he’s willing to put in the work needed to gain Tom Brady’s trust, if he finally realizes the potential he flashed as first round draft pick in 2009, he’ll set himself up for that big payday.

Could he do that in Washington? Perhaps. You could make the argument that Washington needs him more than the Patriots do and that might mean better short term money. I guess it comes down to whether or not Kenny Britt is willing to bet on himself because if he comes to New England and fails, he’ll be lucky to find a gig with Oakland in 2015. But if he succeeds on a one-year “prove it” deal with the Patriots he could have his choice of Super Bowl contenders and/or a 3-year/$30m deal.

Having said all that, I’ll probably be reading about Britt signing with Washington tomorrow, news I would no doubt greet with a shrug.

For the moment though, I’m struck by the moves the Patriots have made – and continue to pursue – in free agency. Revis, Brandon Browner, Brandon LaFell, re-signing Edelman and the published interest in Britt have been surprises to lesser or greater degrees. Given everything that’s happened so far, is Jared Allen really out of the question?

I hope not.