Patriots News Of The Day 5/16

[Gunzlingr]

POST PATRIOTS NEWS HERE!

[TypicalBill]

Patriots sign Veteran FA LB Don Davis, Rookie FAs Gene Mruczkowski and Joe Schey


The New England Patriots announced the signing of veteran free agent linebacker Don Davis today. In addition, the team also announced the signings of two rookie free agent offensive linemen Gene Mruczkowski and Joe Schey. Terms of today's signings were not disclosed.

Davis, 30, joins the Patriots after starting 15 of 28 games for the St. Louis Rams over the past two seasons. Last year, he appeared in every game for the Rams, including seven starts, and finished the season with 62 tackles and an interception. He also ranked third on the team with 17 special teams tackles.

Davis originally signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted rookie free agent in 1995. He made his NFL debut with the New Orleans Saints in 1996 and appeared in 26 games over the next three seasons (1996-98). He signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1999 and appeared in 29 games over the next two seasons with the Bucs. In 2000, he signed with the Rams as an unrestricted free agent and started 15 of the next 28 games over the next two seasons. In seven NFL seasons, Davis has started 15 of 84 games played. A proven leader on special teams, he has 82 career special teams tackles and 115 career defensive tackles.


More (http://noflash.patriots.com/news/FullArticle.sps?id=23959&type=general)

[The_Philster]

FOXBOROUGH - The signing of free agent linebacker Don Davis yesterday is not exactly what Patriots fans had in mind when they learned their team had more than $4 million in salary cap space following last month's draft, but it is the kind of veteran acquisition that makes coach Bill Belichick and defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel breathe easier.

Davis is an eight-year veteran who did not start a game in the NFL until two years ago, when he signed with the St. Louis Rams. Since then he has started more than half of the 28 games he has played at outside linebacker, while also playing special teams, the kind of versatility Belichick covets in veteran imports.

After starting eight regular-season games and all three playoff games for St. Louis in 2001, Davis was in the starting lineup seven times last year and finished with 62 tackles while also ranking third on the Rams' special teams with 17....

more (http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/137/sports/Patriots_add_depth_with_Davis+.shtml)