Baugher and Malone allocated to NFL Europe

[pats1]

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/

January 24, 2007
Europe talk

Punters Tom Malone and Danny Baugher, who were signed to 2007 contracts after spending parts of the '06 season on the Patriots' practice squad, will be allocated to NFL Europe.

John Rickert, the agent for Malone, said that NFL teams must allocate a minimum of three players and a maximum of five players to NFL Europe. Allocated players are granted a roster exemption through the end of training camp.

For Malone (USC) and Baugher (Arizona), it's a chance to punt in live games and get themselves on videotape for NFL teams to see.

Malone and Baugher factor in to what could be an interesting situation at punter for the Patriots. Likely factoring into the team's decision-making at punter is that 2006 opening-day starter Josh Miller -- who was placed on season-ending injured reserve Nov. 26 due to his shoulder -- is due a $100,000 roster bonus on the 15th day of the 2007 league year.

Veteran punters Ken Walter and Todd Sauerbrun are among a group of 14 Patriots players who are scheduled for unrestricted free agency in March.

Posted By: mreiss | Time: 12:34:10 PM

These two players (if they stick around) will be exempt from the 80-man offseason roster limit until the first cutdown to 75. These players (probably) won't get the Pats any extra rookie/1st year bonus exemptions.

The Pats currently have 49 players under 2007 contract, and 10 near-locks -- the ERFAs -- to be added. So 59 minus 2 (NFLE exemptions) equals 57, or 23 shy of the 80-man limit thus far.

 

[primetime]

We also get a Chinese kicker who will be in NFL Europe, according to the NY Times. I assume he is exempt from the roster size limit as he will be at training camp at least until the CHINA BOWL (dun dun dun).