Mike Patterson Signs with New York Giants; Julian Edelman schedules visit

Former Philadelphia Eagles first round pick Mike Patterson has signed with the New York Giants. Patterson was a solid player for the Philadelphia Eagles for eight years who had to have brain surgery (had a brain illness-conflicting reports) prior to last season and missed significant time for the first time in his career. Patterson's best game last season (according to Pro Football Focus) came against the Redskins; he registered a +3.3 for the game. He had played in at least 14 games for the Eagles the previous six years starting all but two of those games. Patterson had a positive 7.5 in his last full season of play, according to Pro Football Focus.

"I'm happy to be a part of the Giants," Patterson said. "They have a lot of good players. It's going to be good. I'm happy the Giants signed me and believe in my talents and allowed me to be there this year. I'm looking forward to this opportunity."

Patterson joins defensive lineman Cullen Jenkins as former Eagles now with the Giants and gives the Giants a tentative defensive tackle rotation of Jenkins, Linval Joseph, Shaun Rogers, Marvin Austin, Patterson, and Markus Kuhn. I wouldn't go as far to say that it's unlikely that the Giants draft a tackle in the first round, but they have acquired enough talent this off-season where they could enter the season feeling comfortable that they could put at least a very competent rotation together at defensive tackle, and potentially a very good one.

"It was tough, but you never know what's in store for you," Patterson said. "I put my faith in God and everything worked itself out."

He said today he has no health concerns.

"Everything is good," he said. "I had a physical and a workout (with the Giants) and everything was good."

Patterson said he was "surprised" the Eagles released him.

"I thought I was going to still be there, but you never know how things are going to turn out," he said. "I'm just happy I was able to land on my feet with the Giants. Even though I didn't play that much last year, it wasn't due to football injuries. It just came down to me getting sick and me recovering from my surgery. It was nothing to do with on-the-field stuff, so I know I'm perfectly healthy when it comes to playing football."

The Giants have also scheduled a visit with former Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman, also per @MikeGarafolo. I personally would not read anything at all into this, perhaps it could be insurance for Victor Cruz, but the much more likely scenario for me is that he would be considered competition for Jerel Jernigan as a backup slot receiver and punt returner.

Also coming in to visit the Giants: Free-agent C/G Antoine Caldwell. #NYG

— Ralph Vacchiano (@RVacchianoNYDN) April 3, 2013

Caldwell has played with the Houston Texans starting 19 games. It has been a busy day for the Giants. One last news to note is that the Star Ledger has released the Giants pre-draft visit tracker.

The biggest name to note is Alabama guard Chance Warmack. Khaseem Greene will also visit, but he is considered a local prospect and does not count against the 30 official visits the Giants are allowed. Lastly:

One-year deal for Hixon with the Panthers that will pay him more than $1m.

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) April 3, 2013

Hixon has signed a deal worth more than $1 million dollars, reportedly. For those of you keeping track for compensatory pick purposes I believe that makes at least three Giants departures that were not cut that signed for more than the veteran minimum elsewhere (Bennett, Hixon, Osi) and one player who was not cut that has signed for more than the veteran minimum from another team (Myers), but that's by my count. I could be wrong. I also do not know whether or not Chase Blackburn's contract was more than the veteran minimum, and whether or not Patterson's contract was more than the minimum.