Morning News and Notes 2/22
FOOTBALL NOTES (2/22) — The Boston Globe is reporting this morning that former Buffalo Bill runningback Thurman Thomas will be visiting New England this week. Thomas was in Miami yesterday and plans on making a trip around the league with the hopes of landing with a contending team. He missed 10 games in 1999 after suffering a liver injury in the first game of the season.
After his visit in New England last week, former Boston College defensive lineman Tim Morabito is said to be high on head coach Bill Belichick’s wish list. Morabito is 6-foot-4-inch, 300-pounds and played with the Carolina Panthers last year. The Patriots are trying to add depth to their defensive line which at the moment includes Chad Eaton, Willie McGinest, Ferric Collons, Henry Thomas, Bob Kuberski, and Brandon Mitchell. The team lost Chris Sullivan over the weekend to the Steelers, and are interested in Jet free agent Anthony Pleasant.
As for Troy Brown, he didn’t get into Kansas City until last night and is expected to visit with team officials today. According to the Globe he is also drawing interest from Philadelphia who is making quite a splash in the free agent market after recently signing right tackle Jon Runyan to a $30 million contract.
According to the The Times-Picayune out of New Orleans, former safety Willie Clay is reportedly drawing interest from New England, where he played from 1996-98. Clay played under Belichick in 1996 and was a popular player in the Patriots locker room.
Free agent linebacker Tedy Bruschi visited the Seattle Seahwaks yesterday. He is expected to visit the Oakland Raiders today.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are reportedly still interested in former Patriots tight end Ben Coates, but are hoping the hiring of former Titans offensive coordinator Les Steckel to run their offense can keep their current tight end Dave Moore from even thinking about leaving for the Miami Dolphins. Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has left the door open for Coates to return, but that scenario is very unlikely.
UPDATE: The Patriots have cut runningback Lamont Warren. Warren, who saw limited action throughout ’99 most notably as a third down back, was let go after only one season with New England. The six-year veteran had 120 rushing yards on 35 carries and 29 receptions for 262 yards and a touchdown in 1999.
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