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The Patriots have signed 24-year old linebacker Marques Murrell. Murrell played in 10 games for the Jets last season and he had 12 tackles and he forced 1 fumble. In his two years in the NFL, Murrell has played in 22 games in which he has 21 tackles and 2 forced fumbles. The price was right for the Patriots to take another player off the rival Jets. Murrell will provide depth at linebacker and on special teams for the Patriots in 2010.
The Patriots have re-signed 28-year old cornerback Leigh Bodden to a 5-year, $28.5 million dollar deal. Bodden played in 15 games for the Patriots last season in which he had 55 tackles, 1 tackle for a loss, 1 forced fumble, 18 passes defensed and 5 interceptions (one returned for a TD). Bodden has now played in 90 games in his NFL career and he has 346 tackles, 9 forced fumbles, 18 interceptions (one returned for a TD) and he has defensed 76 passes. The Patriots were smart to lock up Bodden before other teams drove up the price on him as he is a fine CB.
The Patriots have released 30-year old TE Chris Baker. Baker played in all 16 games for the Patriots last season and he caught 14 passes for 142 yards (10.1 avg) with 2 TD grabs. The Patriots won’t miss Baker much as they expected more from him than what they got last season.
The Patriots have signed 35-year old WR David Patten to a 1-year deal. Patten did not play last season. He has played in 147 games in his NFL career and he has caught 324 passes for 4,715 yards (14.6 avg) with 24 TD grabs. Patten played from 2001-2004 with the Patriots. In those 4 years, Patten played in 54 games in which he caught 165 passes for 2,513 yards (15.2 avg) with 16 TD grabs. Patten appears to be in the twilight of his career but I don’t see any problem in the Patriots giving him another chance.
The Patriots have slapped the franchise tag on 28-year old nose tackle Vince Wilfork guaranteeing him $7.003 million bucks for 2010. Wilfork played in 13 games for the Patriots last season and he finished up with 43 tackles, 4 tackles for a loss, 1 forced fumble and 2 passes defensed. He has now played in 90 games in his six years with the Patriots and he has 303 tackles, 7.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble and 10 passes defensed. Wilfork is one of the best interior linemen in the NFL and the Patriots were smart to keep him for 2010.
UPDATE: The Patriots have signed Wilfork to a 5-year, $40 million dollar deal with $25 million bucks of it guaranteed.