Patriots not sure they can trust Aqib Talib on a multi-year contract

[Hate]

Posted by Michael David Smith on February 5, 2013, 1:42 PM EST

Aqib Talib played well for the Patriots after they acquired him from the Buccaneers just before the trade deadline, but that doesn’t mean he’ll be in New England for long.

Comcast SportsNet’s Mike Giardi reports that the Patriots have enough concerns about Talib’s work ethic that they question whether they can trust him to stay motivated if they give him a multi-year deal with significant guaranteed money.

That’s no surprise: Talib has great talent for the cornerback position, but he always been known as a player whose character red flags make coaches leery of him. Bill Belichick won’t want to dedicate a lot of salary cap space to a player who isn’t going to buy into the Patriot way.

However, if the Patriots won’t offer Talib a big contract when he becomes a free agent next month, some other team probably will. Which means there’s a real chance that the Patriots will have given up a fourth-round draft pick just for the right to rent Talib for half a season.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/02/05/patriots-not-sure-they-can-trust-aqib-talib-on-a-multi-year-contract/

[tbc_bucs]

Makes all the sense in the world to me. I don't think any team is willing to go beyond a true 2 year commitment.

[BucBalla85]

Cant disagree with that. A team would be smart to get a one year deal with him and see if he really has changed for the better.

[gbobucsfan]

Very interesting to see where he lands and what he thinks his value is at this point.

[BucsBay]

Biggest issue with the guy as a player is he just can't stay healthy. Seems like so many leg issues the last few years. He cost himself a lot of money with that injury in the AFC Championship game. Someone would have paid despite the other concerns.

[bradentonian]

Thanks for the free draft pick!

[Boid Fink]

That's what friends are for.

[bucinnj]

Any team that signs him long term will likely suffer buyer's remorse.

[Chief Joseph]

I really don't see any type of bidding war for his services. He's on the "damaged goods" list.

[Boid Fink]

Glad he isn't a Buc anymore. I can care less where he goes. Hopefully to Atl so the Bucs can scorch him with Freeman's one good trick.

[bucfan26]

Thanks for the free draft pick!

+1

[Benchwarmer#1]

"Patriots not sure they can trust talib..."

....really? ...didn't see that coming.

[Hate]

Dudes hammies are made of jelly

[Benchwarmer#1]

Dudes hammies are made of jelly

So is his brain.

[TampaBucks05]

Noone can.