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http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/
Patriots to host Seward
Posted by Mike Reiss, Globe Staff
March 5, 2008 05:58 PM
After delving into the unrestricted free agent market in recent days, the Patriots are now considering a move with a restricted free agent. Team officials are scheduled to host Carolina linebacker Adam Seward on a visit at Gillette Stadium on Thursday.
Seward (31 games, 2 starts) has primarily been a backup over the last three seasons for the Panthers, who run a 4-3 defense. In New England’s 3-4 scheme, the 6-foot-2, 248-pound Seward would project to play inside linebacker.
As a restricted free agent, Seward was tendered at the low level by the Panthers. That means that if the Patriots sign him to an offer sheet – and the Panthers don’t match – it would cost New England a fifth-round draft choice, the round in which Seward entered the NFL in 2005.
The Patriots’ interest in Seward likely has some ties to his college career at UNLV, when he played inside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. That position, which requires bigger, physical linebackers who can take on guards but still run effectively, has been a challenge for the Patriots to find young talent.
Seward also might have caught the Patriots’ eye in the 2007 preseason. In the Patriots’ 24-7 victory over the Panthers on Aug. 24, Seward had five tackles. He is also considered a strong special teams player.