New England Patriots Player Profile: Shawn Springs

June 16, 1:07 AMNew England Patriots ExaminerSean Crowe

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Patriots CB Shawn Springs
(AP Photo)

In the first installment of New England Patriots Player Profiles, we’ll take a look at one of the Patriots' new starting cornerbacks.

Shawn Springs

The Patriots signed Shawn Springs to a 3-year contract worth $10.5 million dollars earlier this offseason. If he hits all of his incentives, the contract could be worth as much as $13 million.

Springs played his college ball at THE Ohio State University. While there, he earned All Big Ten honors twice, and was widely regarded as one of, if not the best defensive back in the country.

He was drafted third overall by the Seattle Seahawks in the 1997 NFL draft.

Other cornerbacks taken in the first round of the 1997 draft:

• Bryant Westbrook (fifth overall to Detroit)
• Tommy Knight (ninth overall to Arizona)
• Michael Booker (eleventh overall to Atlanta)
• Chad Scott (twenty-fourth overall to Pittsburgh)
• Chris Canty (twenty-ninth overall to New England)

Springs’ best season was 1998. He finished with 76 tackles, 7 interceptions, and 2 touchdowns. He was elected to his only Pro Bowl that season.

He’s struggled to stay healthy most of his career. He played (and started) in all 48 regular season games for the Seahawks from 1998 to 2000. Since 2000, he’s only played in 16 games once (2007).

Springs signed with the Redskins in 2004. That season, he became the first cornerback in NFL history to lead his team in both interceptions (5) and sacks (6).

Springs was a huge part of the Redskins’ late season run in 2007. During their last four games, he was by far their best cover corner and had four interceptions in the Redskins’ final four games.

He struggled with injuries again in 2008, playing only nine games and finishing with just one interception.

Springs was released by the Redskins on February 27th and signed with the Patriots 12 days later.

Springs keeps a detailed notebook with information on every wide receiver he’s ever played against.

Springs’ father, Ron Springs, played fullback for the Dallas Cowboys from 1979 to 1984. While with the Cowboys, he scored 38 touchdowns (28 rushing, 10 receiving) and rushed for over 2000 yards.

Springs was suspended for four games during the 2001 season for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy.

Player Analysis (from 3/6/2009 article):

Springs is faster, bigger, and better than Ellis Hobbs. When healthy, he gives the Patriots a viable option against their opponents number one wide receiver.

He may not be what he once was, but he immediately jumps to the top of the Patriots’ depth chart.

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Questions? Comments? Insults? You can email them to Sean Crowe at scrowe@gmail.com.

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• Patriots bolster secondary, sign CB Shawn Springs
• Patriots sign free agent CB Leigh Bodden

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