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Player News - Patriots

Date: Team: Pos:
Ras-I Dowling - DB - Patriots

Though second-year CB Ras-I Dowling (hip surgery) is participating in Patriots OTAs, he's reportedly looked "very stiff" and appears to be "working his way back from the ground floor."

Dowling's surgery repaired a torn tendon in his leg from last September. A rookie starter in Week 1, Dowling is now seeing few OTA reps while apparently still trying to heal from the injury. Dowling will have to hold off Sterling Moore, Will Allen, and Alfonzo Dennard for snaps behind RCB Kyle Arrington and LCB Devin McCourty. We wouldn't bet on Dowling being a big 2012 contributor.
Source: Boston Globe
May 25 - 4:08 PM
Tracy White - LB - Patriots

Patriots LB Tracy White is sitting out OTAs while recovering from sports hernia surgery.

White suffered the injury late last season, but didn't miss any time. The Pats reportedly expect him back for training camp. A 31-year-old kick and punt coverage ace, White recorded 14 special teams tackles in 2011 and 18 in 2010.
Source: Boston Herald
May 25 - 3:51 PM
Jamey Richard - G - Patriots

Patriots signed G/C Jamey Richard, formerly of the Colts.

Richard worked out on Thursday along with free agent OTs Brandon Keith and Stephon Heyer. The 2008 seventh-rounder started 11 games in Indianapolis over the past four seasons. He's purely a backup if he makes the final roster.
Source: Shalise Manza Young
May 25 - 11:17 AM
Brandon Lloyd - WR - Patriots

Half of Brandon Lloyd's $6 million in bonus money comes in the form of an option bonus due in 2013.

In other words, the Patriots didn't give Lloyd a true long-term commitment. If Lloyd doesn't provide the outside threat the offense sorely needs, the Pats can cut bait next offseason and save the $3 million option bonus.
Source: Boston Globe
May 25 - 10:05 AM
Brian Waters - G - Patriots

The Boston Herald reports RG Brian Waters has planned "all along" to return for his 14th season in 2012.

Waters and the Pats have been tight-lipped about his return. The 35-year-old has been absent for offseason activities, but that's no different than any other year. He always spends the spring with his family, missing voluntary work. Waters had a fine bounce-back season in 2011 as the Patriots' most consistent lineman. New England will field one of the NFL's top O-Lines this year.
Source: Boston Herald
May 24 - 3:14 PM
Chad Ochocinco - WR - Patriots

Deion Branch had to tell Chad Ochocinco where to line up at one point in Thursday's practice.

Ochocinco also had to run a lap for an offsides penalty. It seems that nothing has changed from last season when Ochocinco failed to make an impact because he didn't know the offense well enough. He's facing an uphill battle to earn a roster spot after the offseason additions at wide receiver.
Source: Boston Globe
May 24 - 3:09 PM
Rob Gronkowski - TE - Patriots

Rob Gronkowski (ankle surgery) is not participating in this week's OTAs.

Gronk was on the field Thursday, but limited to rehab work on the side of practice. While his timetable should have him back to 100 percent by training camp, Gronk's ankle will be an injury to monitor the next couple of months.
Source: ESPN Boston
May 24 - 1:23 PM
Chandler Jones - DL - Patriots

Patriots signed rookie RE Chandler Jones, the No. 21 overall pick, to a four-year contract.

The Pats' "elephant" rusher of the future, Jones is incredibly long with impressive short-area explosion and a relentless motor. While free agent Andre Carter may return on a short-term contract once he gets healthy, Jones is viewed as a Willie McGinest-type project for Bill Belichick's defense. If the season began today, Jones would be New England's starting right end. Jonathan Fanene would be the left end with Vince Wilfork and Kyle Love in the middle.
May 23 - 4:20 PM
Ron Brace - DL - Patriots

ESPN Boston's Mike Reiss believes former second-round pick Ron Brace will be on the roster bubble entering training camp.

The 40th overall pick in the 2009 draft, Brace has shown little playmaking ability as an interior lineman while failing to secure a consistent early-down job. Just a role player lacking upside, Brace appears to be the Pats' No. 6 defensive tackle at this point, behind Vince Wilfork, Kyle Love, Brandon Deaderick, Myron Pryor, and Gerard Warren. We wouldn't bet on Brace making the team.
Source: ESPN Boston
May 23 - 2:10 PM
Wes Welker - WR - Patriots

Patriots owner Bob Kraft says he'd like to see Wes Welker "be a Patriot for life," but that it "takes two sides."

"I think both sides would like to do a deal, but it requires intelligence and putting our team first," Kraft continued. "...We’re always trying to do whatever we can do to put our team in the best position to win. ... We try to have values for every position and every player." In other words, the Pats have no intention of breaking the bank to lock up their 31-year-old slot dynamo. Welker caved rather meekly on his franchise tender, and may eventually do the same in long-term talks.
Source: NFL.com
May 22 - 12:23 PM
Matt Light - T - Patriots

Retired LT Matt Light says there's a "zero percent" chance he ever plays again.

"Not in a bad way but when you close the door, it’s always good to keep walking," said Light. Making the rounds at ESPN, the 33-year-old Light also revealed he underwent 14 career surgeries in 11 seasons as an NFL player. Second-year pro Nate Solder is taking Light's place on the blindside in New England.
Source: Boston Globe
May 22 - 8:29 AM
Nate Ebner - DB - Patriots

Patriots signed sixth-round S Nate Ebner to a four-year contract.

Ebner won't play on defense, but the Pats hope to turn him into an impact special teamer. A former rugby player, Ebner's best asset is his ability to run down kicks. If his NFL career falls through, Ebner intends to return to rugby.
Source: Jeff Howe on Twitter
May 21 - 6:37 PM
Devin McCourty - DB - Patriots

Patriots LCB Devin McCourty is still rehabbing the right shoulder injury that plagued him down the stretch in 2011.

The injury kept McCourty out of Weeks 11 and 12, but he returned to start the Pats' final seven games, including the playoffs. "It's doing better," he promised. "It's getting stronger, progressing." No surgery was disclosed, but McCourty clearly returned to play through pain. He projects as New England's starting left corner in 2012 after dabbling at safety late last year.
Source: Boston Herald
May 21 - 3:05 PM
Alfonzo Dennard - DB - Patriots

Nebraska coach Bo Pelini would "put (his) reputation" on the line for Patriots seventh-round CB Alfonzo Dennard.

Dennard will be arraigned on May 30 on charges that he assaulted a police officer. "That isn't who he is, that's never been who he is, and that's not going to be who he is in the future," Dennard's college coach said. The Patriots are probably more concerned about Dennard's straight-line speed and relatively stiff hips, though he faces up to five years in prison if convicted.
Source: ESPN Boston
May 21 - 8:37 AM
Ras-I Dowling - DB - Patriots

Patriots CB Ras-I Dowling (hip surgery) is progressing in his recovery and has suffered no setbacks.

Originally expected to pass on surgery and return in November, Dowling had the recommended "clean-up" and is well on his way to a full recovery. He will work out with the team in OTAs this week. Dowling is currently penciled in as the team's No. 3 corner behind Kyle Arrington and Devin McCourty.
Source: ESPN Boston
May 20 - 9:19 AM

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