Patriots news for the week of 7/21 [Archive] - BillsZone.com

BillsFever

07-21-2003, 04:49 PM

Patriots | Banta-Cain Officially Signed - from www.KFFL.com
Mon, 21 Jul 2003 07:23:09 -0700

The New England Patriots have announced the official signing of rookie LB Tully Banta-Cain. Terms of the deal were not disclosed

BillsFever

07-21-2003, 04:50 PM

Patriots | Nead Officially Signed - from www.KFFL.com
Mon, 21 Jul 2003 07:23:33 -0700

The New England Patriots have announced the official signing of rookie TE Spencer Nead. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

BillsFever

07-21-2003, 04:50 PM

Patriots | Kingsbury Officially Signed - from www.KFFL.com
Mon, 21 Jul 2003 07:24:05 -0700

The New England Patriots have announced the official signing of rookie QB Kliff Kingsbury. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

BillsFever

07-21-2003, 04:50 PM

Patriots | Koppen Officially Signed - from www.KFFL.com
Mon, 21 Jul 2003 07:26:02 -0700

The New England Patriots have announced the official signing of rookie C Dan Koppen. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

BillsFever

07-21-2003, 04:51 PM

Patriots | Johnson Officially Signed - from www.KFFL.com
Mon, 21 Jul 2003 07:26:21 -0700

The New England Patriots have announced the official signing of rookie WR Bethel Johnson. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

BillsFever

07-21-2003, 04:51 PM

Patriots | Wilson Officially Signed - from www.KFFL.com
Mon, 21 Jul 2003 07:26:47 -0700

The New England Patriots have announced the official signing of rookie CB Eugene Wilson. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

BillsFever

07-21-2003, 04:51 PM

Patriots | Warren Officially Signed - from www.KFFL.com
Mon, 21 Jul 2003 07:27:19 -0700

The New England Patriots have announced the official signing of rookie DE Ty Warren. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

BillsFever

07-21-2003, 04:52 PM

Patriots | Banta-Cain Will Have to Fight for Playing Time - from www.KFFL.com
Mon, 21 Jul 2003 08:33:19 -0700

The Boston Herald reports New England Patriots rookie LB Tully Banta-Cain will have to fight to get playing time as a situational pass rusher.

BillsFever

07-21-2003, 04:52 PM

Patriots | DE Positions Set - from www.KFFL.com
Mon, 21 Jul 2003 08:34:30 -0700

Updating previous reports, the Boston Herald reports the New England Patriots seem to be set at the defensive end positions. DLs Bobby Hamilton and Ty Warren will handle the left side and DLs Richard Seymour and Anthony Pleasant will handle the right side.

BillsFever

07-21-2003, 04:53 PM

Patriots | Warren Contract Update - from www.KFFL.com
Mon, 21 Jul 2003 09:00:34 -0700

Updating previous reports, the Boston Herald reports the contract signed by New England Patriots rookie DL Ty Warren could be worth up to $20.3 million. The deal includes a huge payment of up to $7 million on the back side of the contract based on Warren's performance in the first five years of the deal. Warren also received a $3 million signing bonus and a $3.5 million option bonus payable in March 2004.

BillsFever

07-21-2003, 04:53 PM

Patriots | Wilson Contract Update - from www.KFFL.com
Mon, 21 Jul 2003 09:02:39 -0700

Updating previous reports, the Boston Herald reports New England Patriots rookie CB Eugene Wilson's five-year deal included a $2 million signing bonus, base salaries of $274,000 (2003), $342,000 (2004), $410,000 (2005), $478,000 (2006) and $546,000 (2007), and the potential of a $3 million payment before his fifth season based on playing time and performance over the first four years.

BillsFever

07-21-2003, 04:53 PM

Patriots | Koppen Contract Update - from www.KFFL.com
Mon, 21 Jul 2003 09:15:23 -0700

Updating previous reports, the Boston Herald reports New England Patriots rookie C Dan Koppen signed a four-year deal that included a $115,000 signing bonus to go with minimum salaries of $225,000 (2003), $305,000 (2004), $380,000 (2005) and $460,000 (2006). Koppen will also have the opportunity to earn escalators in the first three years of the deal.

BillsFever

07-21-2003, 04:53 PM

Patriots | Kingsbury Contract Update - from www.KFFL.com
Mon, 21 Jul 2003 09:18:55 -0700

Updating previous reports, the Boston Herald reports New England Patriots rookie QB Kliff Kingsbury signed a three-year deal with a $50,000 signing bonus and minimum salaries.

The_Philster

07-21-2003, 08:32 PM

Rookies signed, Patriots get busy
On the first day of official rookie workouts at Gillette Stadium yesterday, Patriots coaches and management could rest easy that they have no holdouts among their 10 draft picks, all of whom have been signed. All but one -- seventh-rounder Tully Banta-Cain -- should be ready for full duty at training camp, which opens Wednesday at Gillette Stadium.

Banta-Cain, a defensive end/ linebacker from Cal, agreed to a four-year deal, but he has an undisclosed injury that may delay his Patriots debut....more (http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/202/sports/Their_picks_are_in_place+.shtml)

The_Philster

07-21-2003, 08:37 PM

Sixth in a series taking a position-by-position look at the Pats as they head into training camp Wednesday.

Some experts already have called it one of the deepest positional groups in the NFL, an amazing distinction for a Patriots linebacker unit that had so many issues in 2002 that Bill Belichick altered his base scheme and made the biggest free agent splurge in team history.

On paper, the Pats linebackers look formidable, especially with sackmaster Rosevelt Colvin operating out of the 3-4 alignment. In reality, the unit has a lot to prove....

more (http://www2.bostonherald.com/sport/patriots/pats07212003.htm)

The_Philster

07-22-2003, 05:05 AM

Seventh in a series taking a position-by-position look at the Pats as they head into training camp tomorrow.

He was signed, essentially out of desperation, late in Bill Belichick's first Patriots training camp in 2000. Otis Smith was in his mid-30's at the time and coming off a major shoulder injury the year before with the Jets. Most of the NFL assumed his days as a productive defensive back were over.

Given the horrific state of his inherited roster, Belichick had little choice. Belichick had Smith come off the bench the first game that season and then inserted him in the starting lineup in Week 2....

more (http://www2.bostonherald.com/sport/patriots/pats07222003.htm)

Ickybaluky

07-23-2003, 11:09 AM

Latest News (from today):

The Patriots have extended the contract of Bill Belichick 2 Years. He is now under contract through 2007.

BillsFever

07-23-2003, 10:51 PM

Patriots | Schey Released - from www.KFFL.com
Wed, 23 Jul 2003 19:46:02 -0700

The New England Patriots have released OL Joe Schey, according to Andy Hart of Patriots.com.

BillsFever

07-23-2003, 10:51 PM

Patriots | Mitchell Released - from www.KFFL.com
Wed, 23 Jul 2003 19:47:26 -0700

The New England Patriots have released G Corey Mitchell, according to Andy Hart of Patriots.com.

BillsFever

07-23-2003, 10:51 PM

Patriots | Watkins Re-signed - from www.KFFL.com
Wed, 23 Jul 2003 19:50:38 -0700

According to Andy Hart of Patriots.com, the New England Patriots have re-signed rookie free agent WR Kerry Watkins. Terms of the deal were not released.

BillsFever

07-23-2003, 10:52 PM

Patriots | Myers Needs Strong Camp Performance - from www.KFFL.com
Wed, 23 Jul 2003 12:21:09 -0700

Andy Hart, of Patriots.com, reports New England Patriots CB Leonard Myers needs a strong performance in training camp this year to remain on the roster. The team has added several young prospects and Myers must begin to show his potential.

BillsFever

07-23-2003, 10:53 PM

Originally posted by NE39
Latest News (from today):

The Patriots have extended the contract of Bill Belichick 2 Years. He is now under contract through 2007.

Not good news :madcurse:

The_Philster

07-24-2003, 07:10 PM

FOXBOROUGH -- If Antowain Smith did indeed fail the running test yesterday morning, then at least he had agent Kennard Maguire in town to extinguish any fires the running back may have created by spending the day on the sideline with 16 other nonparticipants on the first day of training camp at Gillette Stadium.

Maguire, who represents first-round pick Ty Warren, was able to watch another running back client, J.R. Redmond, receive many of the reps in practice. Smith, who is due a $2 million option bonus at the end of this season, has passed the test on the first retry each of the past two seasons.

The Patriots have always downplayed failing the running test, including yesterday when they would not confirm which of the players who were riding stationary bikes or working out on the step-up machine on the sidelines had failed and which had injury concerns....

more (http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/205/sports/Unanswered_questions_after_conditioning_runs+.shtml)

The_Philster

07-24-2003, 07:12 PM

FOXBOROUGH -- Coach for life? It certainly seems that way. Bill Belichick walked to the press box podium at Gillette Stadium just before noon yesterday, having just agreed to a contract extension that will take him through the 2006 season.

It was the official opening of Patriots training camp, the first time in 44 years the Patriots have held summer training on the same site where they play their games. This is a great development for their control-addicted (aren't they all?) head coach, and good news for the growing legion of Patriot fans who love to stand in the heat and watch behemoths attack blocking sleds.

Happy to be anchored in one spot, year-round, Belichick said, ''It's better for the fans and better for the team. I'm glad we're here.'...'

more (http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/205/sports/High_interest_rate_puts_charge_into_Patriot_camp+.shtml)

BillsFever

07-25-2003, 10:21 AM

Patriots | Poole Working with Third-String Defense - from www.KFFL.com
Fri, 25 Jul 2003 08:10:43 -0700

Updating previous reports, the Boston Herald reports New England Patriots CB Tyrone Poole was working with the third-string defense at practice on Thursday, July 24.

BillsFever

07-25-2003, 10:21 AM

Patriots | Green Leading Battle for NT Job - from www.KFFL.com
Fri, 25 Jul 2003 08:12:11 -0700

Updating previous reports, the Providence Journal reports New England Patriots DL Jarvis Green is the early favorite to win the battle for the starting nose tackle position.

BillsFever

07-25-2003, 10:21 AM

Patriots | Vrabel Sits Out - from www.KFFL.com
Fri, 25 Jul 2003 08:13:46 -0700

The Providence Journal reports New England Patriots LB Mike Vrabel sat out the evening practice on Thursday, July 24.

BillsFever

07-26-2003, 02:14 PM

Patriots | Myers Working in Dime - from www.KFFL.com
Sat, 26 Jul 2003 12:01:59 -0700

Patriots.com reports New England Patriots CB Leonard Myers worked in the dime package at practice on Friday, July 25.

BillsFever

07-26-2003, 02:14 PM

Patriots | Pass Works at KR - from www.KFFL.com
Sat, 26 Jul 2003 12:07:40 -0700

Patriots.com reports New England Patriots FB Patrick Pass was fielding kickoffs at practice on Friday, July 25.

BillsFever

07-26-2003, 02:15 PM

Patriots | Faulk Works at KR - from www.KFFL.com
Sat, 26 Jul 2003 12:09:50 -0700

Patriots.com reports New England Patriots RB Kevin Faulk was fielding Kickoffs at practice on Friday, July 25.

BillsFever

07-26-2003, 02:15 PM

Patriots | Samuel Works at KR - from www.KFFL.com
Sat, 26 Jul 2003

Patriots.com reports New England Patriots CB Asante Samuel was fielding Kickoffs at practice on Friday, July 25.

BillsFever

07-26-2003, 02:16 PM

Patriots | Cloud Works at KR - from www.KFFL.com
Sat, 26 Jul 2003 12:12:07 -0700

Patriots.com reports New England Patriots RB Mike Cloud was fielding kickoffs at practice Friday, July 25.

BillsFever

07-26-2003, 02:17 PM

Patriots | Fauria Sits - from www.KFFL.com
Sat, 26 Jul 2003 12:15:07 -0700

Patriots.com reports New England Patriots TE Christian Fauria sat out of the team's practice Friday, July 25.

BillsFever

07-26-2003, 02:17 PM

Patriots | Phifer Sits - from www.KFFL.com
Sat, 26 Jul 2003 12:16:28 -0700

Patriots.com reports New England Patriots LB Roman Phifer sat out of the team's practice Friday, July 25.

The_Philster

07-27-2003, 08:55 AM

FOXBOROUGH -- On this day, he looked out at the House That Kraft Built and reminded himself, ''This used to be a racetrack and a parking lot.'' It was one of the many count-your-blessing moments Robert Kraft has experienced, but this one came right before he began his 10th season as owner of the Patriots with the start of training camp Wednesday.

''I was standing there welcoming everyone and thinking,'' said Kraft. ''It was full circle. It completes the cycle of the number of things we tried to accomplish when we bought the team. I had a vision of what I wanted. Remember, I used to go to games. For 34 years there wasn't one sold-out season. Even the year they went to the Super Bowl there were two or three sold-out games. We would have to wait . . . if they were home for two weeks . . . you didn't see a Patriots game if you weren't a season ticket-holder until the team was on the road.''...

more (http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/208/sports/Kraft_s_vision_built_before_our_eyes+.shtml)

The_Philster

07-27-2003, 09:01 AM

FOXBORO - Strong safety Lawyer Milloy enjoys the reverence of being a Pro Bowl veteran without taking any of it for granted.

Milloy, 29, participated in the fourth day of his eighth Patriots training camp yesterday morning at Gillette Stadium determined to secure the position that's had his name on it for seven seasons.

Milloy was a second-round pick out of Washington in 1996 - a class that also featured wide receiver Terry Glenn and inside linebacker Tedy Bruschi....

more (http://www2.bostonherald.com/sport/patriots/pats07272003.htm)

The_Philster

07-27-2003, 09:02 AM

FOXBORO - Patriots safety Chris Akins has it easy compared to his wife.

All Akins attempted to do during yesterday's Patriots training camp at Gillette Stadium was to win a job in a secondary that already includes Lawyer Milloy, Rodney Harrison and Je'Rod Cherry.

Halfway around the world, Class-5 Lt. Stephanie Akins of the Army military police is serving her country in Kuwait City. Akins doesn't argue his wife's contention that Army boot camp at Fort Hood, Texas, was tougher than an NFL training camp. Akins also understands that the stakes are higher in Stephanie's line of work....

more (http://www2.bostonherald.com/sport/patriots/pnot07272003.htm)

The_Philster

07-27-2003, 09:04 AM

Rodney Harrison didn't want to rationalize, for there was no immediate point to it. To him, there was little advantage in dissecting why the San Diego Chargers chose to end their 10-year association with him, even though he was convinced their decision would be a colossal mistake.

The word that he was merely a victim of the complicated NFL salary cap may have placated a different personality. For him, all that mattered was that he was released from a team that had always told him he would be part of their family....

more (http://www2.bostonherald.com/sport/patriots/bigp07272003.htm)