Perhaps feeling left out after the Red Sox' week, the New England Patriots have made an acquisition of their own, signing cornerback Chevis Jackson on Friday, giving the team some need depth in the secondary.
Jackson was drafted in the third round of the 2008 draft by the Atlanta Falcons, played two seasons and then was released following the 2009 campaign. He signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars Oct. 18 of this year, but hasn't played in a game since last year's regular season finale.
He was in the Patriots locker room on Friday, and Ian Rapoport caught up with him just before signing his contract.
"I'm here, trying to contribute in whatever way I can," Jackson told me today before practice. "Whatever they want me to do..."
A former Jaguars player, too, he had been working out in Jacksonville just "trying to stay in shape" before the Pats called. Jackson described himself as "surprised and happy. Happy to be here, ready to contribute and help any way I can."
The move will give the Patriots some much-needed depth at the corner position, where Jonathan Wilhite has been plagued by a hip injury. New England allows 276 yards passing per game, second worst in the NFL.
Jackson probably won't play this week, but he will likely be needed next week, when Aaron Rodgers and the Packers visit New England.
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Chevis Jackson is 6'0 and 190 lbs, which puts him right in the Patriots cornerback size range. Jackson was a 3rd round pick by the Atlanta Falcons in 2008 and he started the season as the dimeback, but due to an injury was elevated to their nickelback for a couple games of the season and had some quality production with 7 passes defended and an interception. In 2009, he started as their nickelback, but was supplanted by a 2010 3rd round draftee and was released at the end of the season.