After agreeing to terms with wide receiver/return man Jacoby Ford yesterday the Jets also announced the signing of former Dolphins cornerback Dimitri Patterson to a one-year $3 million deal. The 30-year-old cornerback entered the league in 2005 with the Redskins before bouncing around to Minnesota, Kansas City, Philadelphia and Cleveland before stint in Miami.

Patterson is the very definition of a journeyman, but over the past few years has become an effective corner when he stays healthy. Staying healthy has been a problem as he has only played in six games last year due to a groin injury he suffered in training camp that continued to nag him all season long, but when he’s healthy he can play the press-corner role on the outside or line up in the slot. In the six games Patterson played last year he had four interceptions (more than any Jet corners last year), he’s got coverage skills and play-making ability he just needs to find a way to stay healthy.

Dimitri Patterson wasn't exactly the top corner on Rex Ryan's wish list, but he's the one John Idzik felt comfortable signing to a one-year, prove it, deal. (JetsInsider.com Photo)

As of right now, with the draft and camp cuts still to come, Patterson will likely be battling Darrin Walls for the number two corner spot opposite Dee Milliner, but make no mistake this is mostly a depth move with a possibility that he could stay healthy and be the Jets number two corner. We’ve seen that John Idzik likes to use the one-year, prove it, deals and while he wasn’t able to sign Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie that way Idzik is hoping to be rewarded on this short-term low-risk gamble.

Patterson’s deal, one-year $3 million, is just $500,000 less than what the Arizona Cardinals ultimately gave former Jet Antonio Cromartie and the fact that the Jets weren’t willing to match the Cardinals offer but was willing to give the oft-injured Patterson $3 million is a clear indication of what JetsInsider.com has heard that the Jets were worried about Cromartie’s hip issues and didn’t feel comfortable that he could make a full recovery at this stage.
 
 
 

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