Patriots sign former U-Maine standout Brandon McGowan, add depth to safety position

(AP Photo/Jim Mone)

The Patriots went into the 2008 preseason with visions of a “Big Nickel” formation with Rodney Harrison or Tank Williams playing a hybrid linebacker.

When they lost both Williams and Harrison, they scrapped the Big Nickel and stuck to conventional two safety defenses. While Brandon Meriweather played extremely well, James Sanders was out of position quite a bit, missing quite a few tackles.

Safety went from what the team thought was a strength to an injury depleted weakness. It was a weakness that showed up throughout the season, specifically in their third down defense (which was terrible).

This season, the Patriots are trying to build some injury-proof depth at the safety position. They resigned Sanders, brought back Tank Williams, drafted Patrick Chung, and now have signed former Chicago Bear and University of Maine standout Brandon McGowan.

McGowan signed a two year contract and expects to fight for the fourth safety spot. The 25 year old is a four year NFL veteran, playing his entire career with the Chicago Bears.

McGowan was originally signed by the Bears as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Maine. He was the only undrafted free agent to make the Bears’ roster in 2005.

He has recorded 115 career tackles (74 solo), two interceptions, and one forced fumble. He played the first two games of the 2008 season, starting one, before suffering an ankle injury, which cost him the rest of the season.

The Patriots currently have Meriweather, Sanders, Chung, Williams, McGowan, Ray Ventrone, and Antwain Spann on the depth chart at safety. They’re also still open to bringing back Rodney Harrison, should he chose not to retire.