The addition of free agent defensive lineman Jonathan Fanene brings more versatility to the New England defensive front.
Fanene, who will turn 30 next week, has played seven seasons in the NFL, all with Cincinnati. And while he doesn’t appear to be an every-down player — he played more than 50 percent of the defensive snaps on only four occasions in 2011, according to Pro Football Focus — he has experience at both end and tackle in Cincinnati’s 4-3 defense.
The Utah product and native of American Samoa recorded a career-high 6.5 sacks in 2011, and making 10 starts in 2009, he posted a career-high 36 tackles and six sacks.
In New England, he will provide the Patriots with an interior pass-rushing threat, one they’ve lacked since Mike Wright suffered a concussion midway through the 2010 season. He should also provide some rotational depth along each spot in the Patriots’ defensive front.
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