01:00 AM EST on Friday, March 7, 2008
BY SHALISE MANZA YOUNGJournal Sports Writer
SANDERS
The New England Patriots continued to add to their secondary yesterday, signing veteran cornerback Lewis Sanders.
The team also made official the signing of safety Tank Williams. Williams, who visited Foxboro on Tuesday, received a one-year deal.
Sanders, 29, has played eight seasons in the NFL. He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 2000; the Browns used a fourth-round pick on the 6-foot-1 defensive back from Maryland. Sanders spent four seasons in Cleveland, with 32 tackles and two interceptions in his final season there.
He then spent the next two seasons in Houston before signing with Atlanta before last season. Sanders played in 14 games last season before being placed on injured reserve with a pectoral injury. He recorded 36 tackles; his best game was in Week Four, when he had seven tackles against his former team, the Texans.
Like the other secondary players New England has signed this week, Sanders has an injury history. He has played in 16 games just twice in his career, and has totaled 87 games in eight seasons. He also has value as a special-teams contributor.
smanza@projo.com
Showing posts with label Story by Providence Journal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Story by Providence Journal. Show all posts
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Pats reconnect with Gaffney and add depth to secondary
09:12 AM EST on Wednesday, March 5, 2008
By SHALISE MANZA YOUNGJournal Sports Writer
The New England Patriots continued to add players yesterday, signing one familiar face and one not-so-familiar.
Jabar Gaffney stats
Jason Webster stats
Last night, the Pats came to terms with wide receiver Jabar Gaffney on a one-year contract. Earlier in the day, New England announced that it signed cornerback Jason Webster.
Gaffney, signed by the Patriots in October 2006 to help a then-thin receiving corps, has filled a couple of roles with New England. He became Tom Brady’s go-to guy in the playoffs, with 21 catches for 244 yards and two touchdowns. Eighteen of those receptions came in the Pats’ first two playoff games.
Last season, with an influx of talent at the position, Gaffney’s receptions went way down as Brady sought out Randy Moss, Wes Welker and Donte Stallworth. But midway through the season, Gaffney passed the now-departed Stallworth. Twenty-four of his 36 regular-season catches came after the bye week.
And in Week 13, with New England’s undefeated regular season in the balance, Gaffney had his one and only catch — an eight-yard, keep-those-toes-inbounds, game-winning touchdown.
The deal is for one year for a reported $2 million. Gaffney apparently wanted a multiyear deal, but the two sides couldn’t agree to terms on one.
A second-round draft pick of the Texans in 2002 out of Florida, the 6-foot-1 Gaffney is the son of former Jets wideout Derrick Gaffney and a cousin of Eagles corner Lito Sheppard. With former Pat Asante Samuel taking Sheppard’s job in Philadelphia, there have been rumors that Sheppard might be traded to New England.
Speaking of cornerbacks, after parting ways with two veteran corners in the last six days, the signing of Webster brings one back into the fold for New England.
“Jason is an experienced veteran who will add good depth to our secondary,” Pats coach Bill Belichick said in a statement.
Webster, 30, an eight-year veteran, spent nearly all of last season on injured reserve after suffering a broken arm in his one and only game with the Buffalo Bills. Last year’s season-opener was a nightmare start for New England’s AFC East foes. Kevin Everett suffered a life-threatening spinal injury, safety Ko Simpson broke an ankle, linebacker Coy Wire went down with a knee injury and Webster went down as well.
A second-round draft pick of the 49ers in 2000, Webster (5-9, 187 pounds) played at Texas A&M, where he was a teammate of Ty Warren. Webster spent his first four NFL seasons in San Francisco. In 2002 he had his best statistical season, with 85 tackles, one 37-yard interception return for a touchdown and nine passes defensed.
Webster played for the Falcons from 2004-06 before signing a one-year deal with the Bills last May.
smanza@projo.com
By SHALISE MANZA YOUNGJournal Sports Writer
The New England Patriots continued to add players yesterday, signing one familiar face and one not-so-familiar.
Jabar Gaffney stats
Jason Webster stats
Last night, the Pats came to terms with wide receiver Jabar Gaffney on a one-year contract. Earlier in the day, New England announced that it signed cornerback Jason Webster.
Gaffney, signed by the Patriots in October 2006 to help a then-thin receiving corps, has filled a couple of roles with New England. He became Tom Brady’s go-to guy in the playoffs, with 21 catches for 244 yards and two touchdowns. Eighteen of those receptions came in the Pats’ first two playoff games.
Last season, with an influx of talent at the position, Gaffney’s receptions went way down as Brady sought out Randy Moss, Wes Welker and Donte Stallworth. But midway through the season, Gaffney passed the now-departed Stallworth. Twenty-four of his 36 regular-season catches came after the bye week.
And in Week 13, with New England’s undefeated regular season in the balance, Gaffney had his one and only catch — an eight-yard, keep-those-toes-inbounds, game-winning touchdown.
The deal is for one year for a reported $2 million. Gaffney apparently wanted a multiyear deal, but the two sides couldn’t agree to terms on one.
A second-round draft pick of the Texans in 2002 out of Florida, the 6-foot-1 Gaffney is the son of former Jets wideout Derrick Gaffney and a cousin of Eagles corner Lito Sheppard. With former Pat Asante Samuel taking Sheppard’s job in Philadelphia, there have been rumors that Sheppard might be traded to New England.
Speaking of cornerbacks, after parting ways with two veteran corners in the last six days, the signing of Webster brings one back into the fold for New England.
“Jason is an experienced veteran who will add good depth to our secondary,” Pats coach Bill Belichick said in a statement.
Webster, 30, an eight-year veteran, spent nearly all of last season on injured reserve after suffering a broken arm in his one and only game with the Buffalo Bills. Last year’s season-opener was a nightmare start for New England’s AFC East foes. Kevin Everett suffered a life-threatening spinal injury, safety Ko Simpson broke an ankle, linebacker Coy Wire went down with a knee injury and Webster went down as well.
A second-round draft pick of the 49ers in 2000, Webster (5-9, 187 pounds) played at Texas A&M, where he was a teammate of Ty Warren. Webster spent his first four NFL seasons in San Francisco. In 2002 he had his best statistical season, with 85 tackles, one 37-yard interception return for a touchdown and nine passes defensed.
Webster played for the Falcons from 2004-06 before signing a one-year deal with the Bills last May.
smanza@projo.com
Monday, March 3, 2008
Gay inks deal with Saints and gets closer to home
09:55 AM EST on Monday, March 3, 2008
By SHALISE MANZA YOUNGJournal Sports Writer
As much as he wanted to stay with the New England Patriots, the team that gave him a chance to play and the region he came to adopt, when Randall Gay got the chance to go back home, he went for it.
Yesterday, the cornerback signed with the New Orleans Saints, who play about 90 miles from Gay’s hometown of Brusly, La.
Gay received a four-year deal from the Saints that could be worth as much as $17.8 million — $6.9 million of that is guaranteed.
“It’s bittersweet,” agent Albert Elias said last night. “He’s leaving a team that helped him get his shot, that helped him get started. So he’s sad one way, but in the other way, he’s going to the team he watched growing up as a kid.”
When negotiations with the Patriots stalled and Gay and Elias decided to test free agency, Gay stressed to Elias that he wanted to keep New England in play, keeping the relationship positive on the off-chance that Gay could rejoin the team down the road.
“It was business, and that’s part of the NFL. He’ll miss New England, definitely, but the Saints gave him financial security and the chance to compete for a starting spot,” Elias said. “No matter what, he has a role there.”
The small town of Brusly — population 2,020 and 2.2 square miles — is quite proud of their native son. Gay has been honored by the town on at least two occasions: before playing with the LSU Tigers in the 2004 Sugar Bowl, he had his own day, and after his rookie season, when he won Super Bowl XXXIX with New England, he was given a key to the town.
By SHALISE MANZA YOUNGJournal Sports Writer
As much as he wanted to stay with the New England Patriots, the team that gave him a chance to play and the region he came to adopt, when Randall Gay got the chance to go back home, he went for it.
Yesterday, the cornerback signed with the New Orleans Saints, who play about 90 miles from Gay’s hometown of Brusly, La.
Gay received a four-year deal from the Saints that could be worth as much as $17.8 million — $6.9 million of that is guaranteed.
“It’s bittersweet,” agent Albert Elias said last night. “He’s leaving a team that helped him get his shot, that helped him get started. So he’s sad one way, but in the other way, he’s going to the team he watched growing up as a kid.”
When negotiations with the Patriots stalled and Gay and Elias decided to test free agency, Gay stressed to Elias that he wanted to keep New England in play, keeping the relationship positive on the off-chance that Gay could rejoin the team down the road.
“It was business, and that’s part of the NFL. He’ll miss New England, definitely, but the Saints gave him financial security and the chance to compete for a starting spot,” Elias said. “No matter what, he has a role there.”
The small town of Brusly — population 2,020 and 2.2 square miles — is quite proud of their native son. Gay has been honored by the town on at least two occasions: before playing with the LSU Tigers in the 2004 Sugar Bowl, he had his own day, and after his rookie season, when he won Super Bowl XXXIX with New England, he was given a key to the town.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Faulk is charged with marijuana possession in La.
08:09 AM EST on Wednesday, February 27, 2008
By SHALISE MANZA YOUNGJournal Sports Writer
Running back Kevin Faulk was reportedly cited for misdemeanor marijuana possession Friday at a concert in his home state of Louisiana.
Related links
Kevin Faulk stats
In news first reported by TV station KATC, Faulk was entering the Cajundome in Lafayette, La., with friends for a performance by rap artist Lil’ Wayne and was checked by security. Four marijuana-filled cigars were found on him.
Lafayette police Capt. John Babin, of the Metro Narcotics Task Force, told the Boston Globe yesterday that Faulk was not taken into custody; he was issued a citation and agreed to appear in court. Babin said Faulk was very cooperative.
The 31-year-old back served as a team captain last season.
By SHALISE MANZA YOUNGJournal Sports Writer
Running back Kevin Faulk was reportedly cited for misdemeanor marijuana possession Friday at a concert in his home state of Louisiana.
Related links
Kevin Faulk stats
In news first reported by TV station KATC, Faulk was entering the Cajundome in Lafayette, La., with friends for a performance by rap artist Lil’ Wayne and was checked by security. Four marijuana-filled cigars were found on him.
Lafayette police Capt. John Babin, of the Metro Narcotics Task Force, told the Boston Globe yesterday that Faulk was not taken into custody; he was issued a citation and agreed to appear in court. Babin said Faulk was very cooperative.
The 31-year-old back served as a team captain last season.
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