Patriots Sign Veteran Cornerback Will Allen to One-year Deal

by Luke Hughes on Wed, Mar 21, 2012 at 6:34PM

The Patriots attempted to sure up their league-worst secondary on Wednesday, signing former Miami Dolphins cornerback Will Allen to a one-year deal.

The contract is worth just over $1 million, including $975,000 in base salary as well as a $25,000 signing bonus and $25,000 workout bonus, according to the Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Allen, 33, has played 11 seasons in the NFL and spent the past five with the Dolphins. The former Syracuse standout played in 15 games for Miami in 2011, starting six and recording 43 tackles in a more limited role.

Allen will likely be looked to as a veteran presence in New England's very inexperienced secondary with core players such as Devin McCourty (24 years old) and Patrick Chung (24) entering just their third and fourth years in the league respectively. The 33-year-old should be a solid addition in the defensive backfield, although his spot on the roster is by no means a given come Week 1.

Over the course of his 11 seasons in the NFL, Allen has been a productive corner for both the Giants and the Dolphins. He's totaled 15 interceptions and racked up 118 pass deflections, including eight straight seasons of 10 or more, in his career.