The Patriots pulled off the premier move of the trade deadline this season, and they’re finally getting a chance to work with their newest acquisition.
Aqib Talib, who completed his NFL imposed four-game suspension on Sunday, was finally able to begin life with his new team on Monday afternoon.
Bill Belichick discussed Talib’s addition to the team for the first time, during his conference call with reporters on Monday, saying of Talib “We’re glad to have him.”
The Patriots were awarded a roster exemption for Talib, which Belichick admitted he believed to be a one-week window, to help get the cornerback up to speed in the Patriots’ system without impacting the 53-man roster.
Talib will meet his teammates and likely make his practice debut with the team on Wednesday, but in the meantime Belichick and the coaching staff are trying to give him a crash course.
“Just try to work with him on an individual basis and work with him in terms of terminology, film study of what we’re doing and also to get ahead on our opponent this week,” Belichick said of Monday’s meeting with Talib. “Start working on some of that too and see how it all comes together.”
The 26-year-old cornerback should offer some help to a struggling secondary that just gave up 31 points to the Buffalo Bills. Talib is a strong cover corner with good quarterback awareness and great ball skills. In five NFL seasons, Talib has 18 interceptions and has scored three defensive touchdowns.
Talib played in just four games for the Buccaneers before his suspension, recording 21 tackles one interception and seven passes defended, which would give him the second most on the Patriots roster this season.
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