James

Ihedigbo

The Pats are also talking with special-teams ace Matt Slater. Connolly was limited to 13 games (11 starts) last season as he dealt with a groin injury. Ihedigbo appeared in all 16 games, making the first 12 starts of his career in the process. He notched 69 tackles, but was a major liability in coverage.

Ihedigbo was brought to the Patriots to contribute on special teams, and with Josh Barrett going on I.R. he is now thrust into a starting role. Practice squad call-up Ross Ventrone replaced him, and both are well-below average players trying to put their finger in the dike. Valued practice squad signee Sergio Brown has fallen behind Ventrone.

It means Ihedigbo will count just $605,000 against the salary cap, but also that the Patriots won’t be able to re-sign him before the beginning of free agency next offseason. Laurent Robinson and Jordan Babineaux were minimum salary benefit players last year.

Ihedigbo appeared in all 16 games last season, starting 12, but was made expendable after the Pats used a sixth-round pick on S Nate Ebner. Ihedigbo played nearly 2/3 of New England’s defensive snaps in 2011, but was a frequent burn victim in coverage. He’s best utilized as a special teamer. Brown was given heavy snaps as the Pats’ secondary descended into injury chaos, but is a pedestrian talent, at best.

28-year-old Ihedigbo is stretched on defense, but has long been a productive special teamer and can contribute immediately in that role. Look for Ihedigbo to also operate as Baltimore’s third safety behind Bernard Pollard and Ed Reed.

Ihedigbo was a rotational safety with Patriots, but is a liability in pass coverage, and would be accepting a special teams role in Baltimore. Emanuel Cook (fractured leg) was injured in the preseason and is out for the year.

The 28-year-old Ihedigbo played two-thirds of the Pats’ 2011 defensive snaps, although that number will decrease substantially this season. He’s more of a special teamer, and won’t threaten Pat Chung, Steve Gregory, or Tavon Wilson.

Pollard went to the locker room for X-rays and emerged out of uniform. The hard-hitter was replaced by James Ihedigbo.

Pollard’s services will be needed as the Ravens try to deal with Rob Gronkowski. After Pollard left the Week 2 loss to the Eagles, Brent Celek ran free all over the field. James Ihedigbo will head back to the bench.

It’s looking very likely that Pollard will miss Sunday’s game against the Broncos. If Pollard doesn’t play, James Ihedigbo will start at strong safety. Ihedigbo has seen limited actions for the Ravens in 2012 and has 14 total tackles and a sack on the season.