Flying Deltha

When the Patriots cut John Lynch loose, in what now seems to be a temporary move to avoid paying his full salary on week one, I got to wondering what they were saving the money for. At this point, what do you need the cap space for so badly if your team is set.

Well, we all found out the answer today. The Patriots signed former Bengal, former Bronco Deltha O'Neal today, in what could turn out to be a pivotal move for the 2008 season. 

The defense looked old, and no one was stepping up to fill Asante Samuel's shoes. Now, O'Neal isn't exactly a young gun (31 years old), but he adds instant athleticism and experience (two pro bowls) to a secondary that was severely lacking both.

O'Neal also adds some experience to the special teams, which makes the team's decision to cut Chad Jackson loose make even more sense as well.

O'Neal has recorded at least nine interceptions in a season twice, but he has also recorded just one in three seasons, so you don't know exactly what you're gonna get. But this is a low risk potential high reward move, something the Patriots have specialized in since 2001.