Win-win deal for McCourtys
Jason wants a taste of Devin’s success
Jason McCourty has again teamed up with his twin.
Now, the cornerback is hoping to finally win.
The poetry of this familial storyline isn’t lost on longtime Patriots captain Devin McCourty, who has played in seven consecutive AFC Championship Games and four Super Bowls, victorious in two. His accomplishments on the field are completely foreign to Jason McCourty, who has missed the playoffs in each of his nine seasons and played for last year’s winless Browns. He hasn’t participated in a victory since Dec. 18, 2016.
That’s something Devin McCourty has frequently referenced during his career — somewhat boastfully, but also to keep the Patriots’ success in perspective — and Jason McCourty will finally get his shot at success and align the twins’ perspective with their football-related conversations. So far, their NFL experiences have been vastly different.
“I remember being drafted in ’09 (by the Titans) and having coach (Jeff) Fisher as my head coach, and Fish was a real players’ coach, really laid-back,” Jason McCourty said. “I remember telling Dev a lot about that (during) his last year at Rutgers, and then he comes in and goes to New England, which is kind of a little bit different. Us sitting there discussing the way one team is run versus another team, it gives you just a different perspective to be able to really not take for granted the situation you’re in, whether it’s good or bad, but just so you know to approach it in a positive way and realize how you can make the best out of it.”
The McCourtys were always open about their wishes to align forces in the NFL, but the chances to do so were winding down until last week when the Patriots and Browns executed a trade. Jason McCourty’s name was rumored to be on the trading block during his later seasons with the Titans, but nothing materialized. And last offseason, the Titans released him a bit too late for the Patriots to realistically offer a role with cornerbacks Stephon Gilmore, Malcolm Butler, Eric Rowe and others on the roster.
Last week, the Browns informed Jason McCourty they were about to release him, and word quickly spread across the league. The Patriots called to request a trade before the release was finalized, so they eliminated the risk of losing him in free agency.
As Jason told it, Devin had been working the phone lines with Bill Belichick and de facto defensive coordinator Brian Flores to assess the possibility of adding a second McCourty to the secondary. All the while, Jason informed his agent that his priority was to land with the Patriots.
“It really wasn’t a good opportunity for either side (last offseason), so I think at that point in my mind, I was just like, ‘I don’t know if this thing’s ever going to happen,’” Jason McCourty said. “It was just like a whirlwind.”
Special connection
Matthew Slater’s surprisingly prolonged trial in free agency concluded in predictable fashion.
The seven-time Pro Bowler signed a two-year contract with the Patriots last night, according to a source. Early last week, the Herald reported there had been optimism that the two sides would reach a resolution, but it took a bit longer than expected, including Slater’s weekend visit with the Steelers.
The financial details of the contract weren’t disclosed. Special teamer Nate Ebner recently signed a two-year, $5 million pact, so Slater’s deal should conceivably be similar.
The Patriots now have 10 wide receivers under contract: Julian Edelman, Brandin Cooks, Chris Hogan, Malcolm Mitchell, Phillip Dorsett, Cordarrelle Patterson, Kenny Britt, Riley McCarron, Cody Hollister and Slater.
They tend to employ six, including Slater. So if the Pats decide to keep a seventh for special teams purposes, they could trim down from their running backs or safeties.
Garcia clear to play
Tackle Tony Garcia wrote on Instagram that he was “cleared to play again.”
Garcia missed his rookie season because of blood clots in his lungs and dropped about 40 pounds, so the Pats still are going to bring him back methodically. Since there won’t be any contact at practice for another four months, they’ll be afforded that luxury.
Garcia got off to a strong start last year in camp before he was placed on the non-football illness list. Until the Patriots see him on the field, they won’t presume he’ll be able to replace left tackle Nate Solder.
The Pats signed backup tackle Matt Tobin last week and should still be in the mix for free agents LaAdrian Waddle and Cameron Fleming.