A few days after figuring out what we already knew - that John Lynch is no longer a factor on the field - the Patriots signed another former Broncos defensive back with limited skills --

The New England Patriots signed two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Deltha O'Neal on Monday, two days after they released exhibition-season starter Fernando Bryant.

O'Neal spent the last four seasons with Cincinnati after playing his first four with Denver. He had 31 interceptions for three touchdowns in 116 games, including 75 starts. He also scored one touchdown on a kickoff return and two on punt returns.

The Bengals released him on Saturday when teams had to reduce their rosters to the regular-season limit of 53 players. Bryant's release had left the Patriots with two rookies among their top four cornerbacks.

They also claimed two players off waivers -- tight end Jason Pociask from the New York Jets and offensive tackle Mark LeVoir from the St. Louis Rams. They released tight end Stephen Spach and signed offensive lineman Jacob Bender and tight end Tyson DeVree to the practice squad.

Perhaps the Patriots are ripe for the picking.  We know all too well of O'Neal's hijinx, and the fact that the Patriots would take a chance on, first Lynch then O'Neal, tells me there are major problems in the defensive secondary.