The Patriots have signed Chad Brown to a 1-year contract.  He played in 8 games last season for the Steelers and he made 7 tackles and had 1 sack.  He recently played for the Patriots in 2005 but it will be hard for him to make the Patriots roster as they are stocked with linebackers.  Brown has played in 186 games in his NFL career and he has made 1,075 tackles, has 79 sacks, 6 interceptions, defensed 41 passes, forced 19 fumbles and he has recovered 15 fumbles (3 returned for TDs).