Official UDFA Signings

[jct]

Excellent discussion here.
In truth it is a long shot for an UDFA to secure a roster spot.
But the practice squad may be possible.
bringing in UDFAs raises camp competition and gives us a better team.
It is somewhat frustrating to see many of the best rated UDFAs go elsewhere.
But you have to trust BB.
We are going to have nice competition for the 4th and 5th WR, and
depth at LB,DB.

 

[Ceresco]

Patriots Sign LB/DB Sam Smith (Delaware State) on a two-year contract
http://www.kffl.com/player/14699/nfl

 

[Bostonian1962]

Hey everyone ... found a nice story on Brown in the Gainesville Sun.

http://www.patsfans.com/price/blog/?q=node/300

We'll have more from Maroney and Jackson this afternoon when they visit Gillette. Check back soon for details.

Thanks,
Chris

Great stuff CP. Thanks.

 

[Bostonian1962]

Patriots Sign LB/DB Sam Smith (Delaware State) on a two-year contract
http://www.kffl.com/player/14699/nfl

Ceresco, you continue to be on top of your game. Thanks for passing this info on to the rest of us. Nice job!

 

[Pats726]

Patriots Sign LB/DB Sam Smith (Delaware State) on a two-year contract
http://www.kffl.com/player/14699/nfl

This is interesting..He played at WIlliam Penn in INdiana before going to Delaware... (Penn is the school draftee TE Stokes went to)

 

[dryheat44]

OG Brian Barthelmes, Virginia

 

[midwestpatsfan]

Actually Stokes is from Penn in a small town in Iowa, not Indiana. I only know this becasue I am originally from there.

 

[bucky]

Patriots Sign LB/DB Sam Smith (Delaware State) on a two-year contract
http://www.kffl.com/player/14699/nfl

What is the point of signing a 2 year contract? If the guy makes the team, he becomes a ERFA. And if he's cut, the contract is voided.

 

[Lloyd_Christmas]

I'm surprised at the enthusiasm shown by forum members for

the UDFA's that the Patriots have signed thus far. Only one

of these guys (Fred Roach) has a snowball's chance in hell of

making the team. None of the others are very highly rated.

Each year I'm frustrated as the better players are signed by other

teams. The Patriots apparently don't want to get into bidding

wars for the better players because their chances for making the

team are quite poor.

You say you are frustrated each year that we don't "want to get into a bidding war" but then you articulate perfectly why we don't do it....

unlike some other teams that overspend on a few players and screw themselves when it comes to depth.... only to scramble and handout larger bonusses to fringe UDFA players, the Patriots actually have the depth that would make a UDFA's chances of making the team rather poor.... consequently, it makes no sense to over pay for the table scraps.

I realize this makes the post-draft depression even more acute, but for the team it is a good thing. If we NEED these UDFAs in order to fill out our depth chart, we are not in good shape. If one or two happens to shine ... great! ...but to have to depend on that? Not good!

 

[Lloyd_Christmas]

What is the point of signing a 2 year contract? If the guy makes the team, he becomes a ERFA. And if he's cut, the contract is voided.

From the players perspective: I'm not sure, but I am guessing maybe a higher signing bonus since they can spread it out over two year (assuming he makes the team)

From the team's perspective: I don't think a player signed to a 2 year deal would become an ERFA the next year. I think it allows the team to lock down the player for an extra year at a lower salary than he would otherwise get.

Of course, I am no Cap expert, so Miquel ... and/or his salary cap page... might be able to shine some light on this.

 

[Michigan Dave]

Some more information about Pierre http://michigan.scout.com/2/523422.html?refid=400

After reading all that I really think this was an outstanding signing. After a few years of BB coaching this kid up who knows what could happen.

Pierre was a great signing. Some insight on him, he was a freshman my last year with the team. He really has great potential, but struggled with discipline problems and fell out of favor with Coach Carr. Many, many fans thought he should have been playing, because in 2003 he was an absolute beast. His physical tools are 1st round potential, but he struggles to learn the defensive system (our defensive system at UM was complex, not unlike an NFL defense) and at times gets frustrated and lets it effect him. I think with the proper coaching at this level, he could become a good, serviceable player. I am happy for Pierre, and ecstatic he's coming to my favorite team.

 

[Rene Vallieres]

Oliver Hoyte and Mike Kudla Sign

Oliver Hoyte signed with the Vikings and Mike Kudla signed with the Steelers. Steelers plan to make him a LB. These are two guys I liked for the Pats.

 

[Pats726]

Actually Stokes is from Penn in a small town in Iowa, not Indiana. I only know this becasue I am originally from there.

I stand corrected..didn't know there were a few WIlliam Penn's...esp in midwest...

 

[Pats_Fan_In_Illinois]

Current Roster

Here's the roster I have to date. I am showing 91 players. Hmmm, where did I screw this up?

49 Alexander, Eric LB 6'2" 240 2/8/82 2 LSU
-- Andrews, Willie S 5'9" 182 Baylor
95 Banta-Cain, Tully OLB 6'2" 254 8/28/80 4 California
-- Barthelmes, Brian G 6'6" 288
52 Beisel, Monty ILB 6'3" 238 8/20/78 6 Kansas State
12 Brady, Tom QB 6'4" 225 8/3/77 6 Michigan
-- Bramlet, Corey QB 6'4" 219 Wyoming
83 Branch, Deion WR 5'9" 193 7/18/79 5 Louisville
65 Britt, Wesly T 6'8" 314 11/21/81 1 Alabama
80 Brown, Troy WR 5'10" 196 7/2/71 14 Marshall
-- Brown, Vernell CB 5'8" 165 Florida
54 Bruschi, Tedy ILB 6'1" 247 6/9/73 11 Arizona
82 Caldwell, Reche WR 6'0" 215 3/28/79 5 Florida
16 Cassell, Matt QB 6'5" 230 5/11/82 1 USC
-- Charles, Earl RB 6'1" 215 9/11/82 1 Marshall
13 Childress, Bam WR 5'10" 185 3/31/82 1 Ohio State
47 Claridge, Ryan OLB 6'2" 259 4/12/81 1 UNLV
59 Colvin, Rosevelt OLB 6'3" 250 9/5/77 7 Purdue
46 Condo, Jon LS 6'3" 244 8/26/81 2 Maryland
51 Davis, Don ILB 6'1" 235 12/17/72 11 Kansas
-- Davis, Erik WR Vanderbilt
28 Dillon, Corey RB 6'1" 225 10/24/74 10 Washington
44 Evans, Heath FB 6'0" 250 12/30/78 6 Auburn
33 Faulk, Kevin RB 5'8" 202 6/5/76 8 LSU
21 Gay, Randall CB 5'11" 186 5/5/82 3 LSU
76 Gorin, Brandon T 6'6" 308 7/17/78 4 Purdue
-- Gostowski, Stephen K 6'1" 212 1/28/84 Memphis
82 Graham, Daniel TE 6'3" 257 11/16/78 5 Colorado
-- Gramatica, Martin K 5'8" 170 11/27/75 7 Kansas State
97 Green, Jarvis DE 6'3" 290 1/12/79 5 LSU
-- Hall, Kyler S Florida State
-- Hand, Randy T Florida
37 Harrison, Rodney SS 6'1" 220 12/15/72 13 W. Illinois
25 Hawkins, Artrell CB 5'10" 190 11/24/75 9 Cincinnati
-- Herring, Jarvis S 5'11" 207 Florida
91 Hill, Marquise DE 6'6" 300 8/7/82 3 LSU
27 Hobbs, Ellis CB 5'9" 188 5/16/83 2 Iowa State
71 Hochstein, Russ G 6'4" 305 10/7/77 5 Nebraska
53 Izzo, Larry ILB 5'10" 228 9/26/74 10 Rice
-- Jackson, Chad WR 6'1" 212 R Florida
-- Jackson, Keon S 5'11" 206 Toledo
81 Johnson, Bethel WR 5'11" 200 2/11/79 4 Texas A&M
-- Jones, Tebucky S 6'2" 218 10/6/74 8 Syracuse
77 Kaczur, Nick T 6'4" 319 7/28/79 2 Toledo
90 Klecko, Dan DT 5'11" 275 1/12/81 4 Temple
67 Koppen, Dan C 6'2" 296 9/12/79 4 Boston College
72 Light, Matt T 6'4" 305 6/23/78 6 Purdue
70 Mankins, Logan G 6'4" 307 3/10/82 2 Fresno State
-- Maroney, Laurence RB 6'0" 216 R Minnesota
-- Mays, Corey LB 6'1" 242 Notre Dame
0 McGrew, Michael WR 6'2" 200 5/17/82 1 Virginia
8 Miller, Josh P 6'4" 225 7/14/70 11 Arizona
-- Mills, Garrett TE 6'1" 227 10/12/83 Tulsa
-- Mincey, Jeremy DE 6'3" 263 12/14/83 Florida
40 Mitchell, Mel S 6'1" 222 2/10/79 5 W. Kentucky
-- Mortensen, Todd QB 6'4" 225 7/12/79 1 San Diego
64 Mruczkowski, Gene C/G 6'2" 303 6/6/80 3 Purdue
12 Musinski, Rich WR 6'0" 200 10/12/80 1 William & Mary
61 Neal, Stephen G 6'4" 305 10/9/76 4 Cal St- Bakersfield
-- O'Callaghan, Ryan T 6'7" 344 7/19/83 California
35 Pass, Patrick FB 5'10" 217 12/31/77 7 Georgia
66 Paxton, Lonie LS 6'2" 260 3/13/78 7 Sacramento State
32 Poteat, Hank CB 5'10" 192 8/30/77 5 Pittsburgh
-- Roach, Freddie ILB 6'2" 257 Alabama
62 Roehl, Jeff T 6'4" 303 5/18/80 2 Northwestern
22 Samuel, Asante CB 5'10" 185 1/6/81 4 UCF
36 Sanders, James SS 5'10" 207 11/11/83 2 Fresno State
30 Scott, Chad CB 6'1" 202 9/16/74 9 Maryland
29 Scott, Guss FS 5'10" 205 5/21/82 2 Florida
93 Seymour, Richard DE 6'6" 310 10/6/79 6 Georgia
-- Shelton, Matt WR 6'0" 175 Notre Dame
-- Smith, Le Kevin DT 6'1" 307 7/12/82 Nebraska
-- Smith, Sam LB Delaware State
19 Smith, Zuriel WR 6'0" 170 1/15/80 2 Hampton
35 Spann, Antwain DB 6'1" 185 2/22/83 1 Louisiana - LaFyt
62 Steitz, Nick G 6'4" 315 8/18/82 1 Oregon
-- Stevenson, Dan G 6'5" 300 10/4/82 Notre Dame
15 Stone, John WR 5'10" 182 7/7/79 2 Wake Forest
-- Thomas, David TE 6'3" Texas
92 Thomas, Santonio DT 6'3" 295 7/2/81 1 Miami
69 Tucker, Ross C 6'4" 316 3/2/79 5 Princeton
41 Ventrone, Raymond S 5'10" 200 10/21/82 1 Villanova
50 Vrabel, Mike OLB 6'4" 261 8/14/75 10 Ohio State
-- Warfield, Eric CB 6'0" 200 3/3/76 9 Nebraska
94 Warren, Ty DE 6'5" 307 2/6/81 4 Texas A&M
84 Watson, Ben TE 6'3" 253 12/18/80 2 Georgia
75 Wilfork, Vince DT 6'2" 325 11/4/81 3 Miami
26 Wilson, Eugene FS 5'10" 195 8/17/80 4 Illinois
-- Woods, Pierre DE Michigan
99 Wright, Mike DT 6'4" 295 3/1/82 2 Cincinnati
74 Yates, Billy G 6'2" 305 4/15/80 3 Texas A&M

 

[Pats726]

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2006/05/02/flutie_decision_imminent/

Did anyone mention Kyler Hall S??

 

[dryheat44]

Here's the roster I have to date. I am showing 91 players. Hmmm, where did I screw this up?

Here's part of BBs post-draft conference:

Are there positions where you need undrafted free agents to fill needs for training camp?

"Pretty much every position. We need to go to camp with more people than we have on our roster. I think there are still a lot of players out there that will be competitive in training camp situation. Some college players. Some not college players. Some pro experience or maybe a lot of pro experience. So those players will be added to fill out the 80-man roster. We're at -- I don't know -- we were in the low 50s and then we took 10 guys. Low to mid 60s. Roster limit is 80, not counting the Europe players. I don't know, we'll add maybe 12 or 14 players, whatever it is. That's pretty much a guy at every position, sometimes more than that.

So before the draft they only had 50-something guys under contract. Some of these guys you have probably had their contracts expire. That's the kind of thing Miguel's page is very good for, among others.

 

[mikegibbons]

I've seen Vernell Brown play for a while now and I just hope he can find his way onto the Pats roster or any roster.

In terms of football: Susceptible to injuries because of his size and the fact that he plays like he thinks he's 6-2 220. He is always around the ball. Very fast and great ups. Returned punts off and on at UF. Can make some driving hits which is odd considering his size. Think Asante Samuel on Jeb Putzier almost. Will be there in man coverage, but it felt like WRs won battles with him a lot.

Absolute stand up guy.

Quick ancedote on his character:
I was in a small class of about 25 kids with him, Ciatrick Fason (Vikings RB), and two other UF players...Adrian Moss too (the bball C who's a moron). The professor favored the athletes so much and always asked them questions about the past week's game and whatnot. When he asked them about their futures one day, Fason said he was leaving early and making it in the NFL (which was funny cause it was only November). The two scrubs mumbled that they wanted to play football or coach football. Vernell then eloquently said how he has a student teaching gig lined up and was starting his masters in education next year. He wanted to become an administrator someday.


After that, I became the biggest Vernell Brown fan. He had heart, good college skills, and wasn't a brain dead jock...so how could you not root for him in college.

 

[lobster]

Santonio Thomas (DL) was also a UDFA and made the roster for several weeks last year, as I recall.

I show only 2 NFL Europe players for the Pat's:
Raymond Ventrone S - COLOGNE CENTURIONS
Chad Mortensen QB - HAMBURG SEA DEVILS

 

[dryheat44]

Santonio Thomas (DL) was also a UDFA and made the roster for several weeks last year, as I recall.

I show only 2 NFL Europe players for the Pat's:
Raymond Ventrone S - COLOGNE CENTURIONS
Chad Mortensen QB - HAMBURG SEA DEVILS

Steitz, Roehl, Smith, at least one of McGrew or Musinski.......

 

[lobster]

Yes my mistake - add:

Amsterdam - Jeff Roehl T
Rhein - Antwain Spann CB
Rhein - Nick Steitz G
Hamburg - Earl Charles RB
Berlin - Rich Musinski WR

That's 7, someone posted there were 8.