Bryant could be a bargain

If you listen to Detroit Lions head coach Rod Marinelli, the Patriots made a shrewd move in inking cornerback Fernando Bryant. The Patriots signed the nine-year veteran on March 20, with the sides agreeing to a one-year deal with a base salary of $730,000.

Marinelli suggested that Bryant's departure from Detroit was not performance-based but rather due to salary cap considerations -- Bryant would have had a $3.35 million base salary for the Lions this coming season and carried a $4 million salary cap charge.

"We had a little flexibility there and just decided to move on at that point," said Marinelli. "He gave a tremendous amount for us. You're going to like him a lot. He's the consummate pro.

"When he comes out he'll know his job. He'll do what the coaches want him to do. He's physical. He'll tackle. He's very physical. He's a tough tackler. He will not shy away. I think you'll like that physical aspect of him."

That physical aspect of Bryant's game is sometimes to the detriment of his health. The 5-foot, 10-inch, 184-pounder played in all 16 games for Detroit last season, despite battling a foot injury. It was the first time since 2003 he made it through a full season.

Bryant, who has started 109 of 110 career games, could turn out to be a bargain for the Patriots, if he can stay on the field, according to his old coach.

"He started the last couple of years for us. Boy, he's a pro," said Marinelli. "You're going to like him. As a person, wow. He's just a family guy, a good human being. Very productive player, very good. You're just going to like him."