PHOENIX -- With Bill Belichick abstaining from the AFC coaches breakfast, it provided us an opportunity to seek out others in the conference to provide some perspective on the moves the Patriots have made this offseason.
One of the moves that has received the least amount of buzz has been the acquisition of free-agent defensive lineman Lawrence Guy, who spent the last two seasons and most of 2014 with the Ravens.
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From Baltimore coach John Harbaugh's perspective, Guy's signing with the Patriots made perfect sense.
"I just think they're getting a great guy, and they're going to love him because he's a really good football player," Harbaugh said. "He's a very under-rated, under-valued player. I thought it was very Patriot-like to recognize his value and to pay him the way they did. I think they paid him very well and in a way that's going to change his life forever so I'm really happy for him."
The 6-foot-5, 300-pound Guy, who turned 27 on March 17, visited the Patriots early in free agency and signed soon thereafter. He played in all 16 games for Baltimore last season, seeing 46.4 percent of the defensive snaps, and in a Week 14 game against the Patriots, he recorded one quarterback hit and one hurry.
New England Patriots
Guy's versatility to play as an end or on the interior should vibe well in New England where players rotate in and out of games and from one position to another on a regular basis.
"They're going to get a guy that plays equally well against the run and the pass, plays super hard, will be excellent in the locker room and in the meeting room," Harbaugh said.
They're also getting a hugger, apparently. That's one area where Harbaugh was jokingly a little unsure of Guy's fit with his new club.
"Now he gives me a big hug, a big Lawrence Guy bear hug, pretty much everytime I see him," Harbaugh said with a smile. "I'm looking forward to when Lawrence gives Coach Belichick a big Lawrence Guy bear hug. Can't wait to see that. Make sure you get that on camera."