SB Nation Boston - New England Patriots Signings: Pats Sign Ex-Pro Bowl Guard Brian Waters

Brian Waters On Joining Patriots: 'This Is As Good As It Gets'

2011-09-05T21:15:52Z

New Patriots right guard Brian Waters took part in his first practice with the team on Monday after he was signed over the weekend to a one-year contract. Waters was assigned to his usual number 54, a number that was last worn by former Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi.

Waters was released by the Kansas City Chiefs back on July 28 after 11 seasons with them. The Patriots decided to sign Waters after starting right guard Dan Connolly went down in Week 3 of the preseason with an ankle injury. The five-time pro bowler has played left guard his entire career. When asked why he decided to hold out for an offer from the Patriots and not a team in need of a left guard, Waters had this to say.

"Why not? This is as good as it gets." (via WEEI)

In New England, Waters will join a very talented group of guys on the offensive line. Waters will join Matt Light, Logan Mankins, Dan Koppen and Sebastian Vollmer on the Patriots offensive line this upcoming season.

For more New England Patriots coverage, visit our team page and blog, Pats Pulpit

New England Patriots Signings: Pats Add Brian Waters, Danny Aiken

2011-09-05T16:11:14Z

After a weekend of cuts, the New England Patriots added a few players, including ex-Kansas City Chiefs Pro Bowl guard Brian Waters as well as long snapper Danny Aiken, who was waived by the Buffalo Bills.

Waters brings talent and depth to a Patriots team which is in need of some help up front.

Waters, 6-foot-3, 320 pounds, spent the last 11 seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs (2000-10), where he earned four Pro Bowl berths while playing in 163 regular seasons games with 149 starts. He originally entered the NFL as a rookie free agent tight end with the Dallas Cowboys in 1999 out of North Texas but was released prior to the start of the regular season. Waters signed with Kansas City on February 3, 2000 and switched to the offensive line. He spent the spring of 2000 playing in NFL Europe for the Berlin Thunder. Waters played tight end for his first three years at North Texas before moving to the defensive line as a senior. (via WEEI)

Aiken is a 6-foot-4, 250-pound an undrafted free agent out of the University of Virginia who was signed to a rookie contract by the Bills on July 28, 2011.

For more New England Patriots coverage, visit our team page and blog, Pats Pulpit.

New England Patriots Signings: Patriots Agree To Sign Former Pro Bowl Guard Brian Waters

2011-09-04T18:00:19Z

According to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter, the New England Patriots have agreed to terms with long time Kansas City Chiefs guard Brian Waters. Waters was cut by Kansas City earlier this offseason and tried out for the Pats on Saturday.

The Patriots will be adding an 11-year veteran to an already experienced offensive front. Waters, a five-time pro bowler will join Logan Mankins and Dan Koppen in the interior of the Patriots offensive line. Since Mankins already protects Tom Brady’s left side, the long time left guard will make the transition over to the right side.

The signing of Waters comes after starting right guard Dan Connolly suffered an ankle injury two weeks ago in Detroit. With Rich Ohrnberger and Marcus Cannon likely out for the season, the Pats were in need of a severe upgrade at the guard position. Waters certainly brings that to the team.

For more New England Patriots coverage, visit our team page and blog, Pats Pulpit.

New England Patriots Signings: Pats Agree With Underwood, Ventrone And Dearth

2011-08-30T00:16:30Z

After a long day of cuts, the New England Patriots managed to add three players to their roster on Monday afternoon.

On Monday, New England agreed to terms with wide receiver Tiquan Underwood, safety Ross Ventrone and long snapper James Dearth. With these additions, the Patriots’ roster total stands at 82.

At 6-1, 183 pounds, Underwood has been used exclusively on special teams and kick returns. After spending the only two seasons of his career with the Jaguars, Underwood had his best year in 2010. He caught eight passes for 111 yards in 10 games with Jacksonville last season. Underwood also returned 24 kicks for 561 yards.

Ventrone was originally signed by the Patriots as an undrafted free agent out of Villanova in 2010. The 5-8, 190 pound safety spent the entire 2010 season on the Patriots practice squad.

Dearth was brought in right after long snapper Matt Katula was cut earlier today. Dearth served as the long snapper for the New York Jets from 2001-2009. He is expected to be the team’s primary long snapper through at least the rest of training camp.

For more New England Patriots coverage, visit our team page and blog, Pats Pulpit.

New England Patriots Signings: Mike Berry Re-Signed By Patriots

2011-08-24T20:06:56Z

The New England Patriots have announced the re-signing of offensive lineman Mike Berry, a 6-foot-3, 316 pound offensive lineman out of Auburn University.

Berry was originally signed by the Patriots as an UDFA back on July 27, but was placed on the non-football injury list and was ultimately released on August 2.

Berry started in 21 games during his career at Auburn and appeared in 30 total games. In 2009, he made the SEC Academic Honor Roll and started in all 13 games, recording 48.5 knockdown blocks and was part of the offensive line that gave up a mere 21 sacks in364 total passing attempts.

It's unclear whether or not Berry will make the 53-man roster, although it seems a little unlikely at this point. The Patriots will need to cut their roster to 80 players by 4:00 p.m. on August 30.

For more New England Patriots coverage, visit our team page and blog, Pats Pulpit

New England Patriots Signings: Patriots Bring Back Tight End Garrett Mills, Cut Lockett And Roth

2011-08-22T02:37:55Z

According to Mike Rodak of ESPN Boston, the New England Patriots have agreed to terms with tight end Garrett Mills and have released safety Bret Lockett and offensive lineman Zach Roth.

Mills was originally drafted by the Patriots in 2006 as a fourth-round pick and spent two seasons with the Patriots. After hardly playing at all his first year, the Mills was waived by the Patriots in hopes that they could add him to their practice squad. He instead was claimed by the Vikings, and has spent the last three seasons up in Minnesota. Mills was with the Bengals this season before they released him.

Lockett’s release comes as no surprise after the Patriots’ singing of free agent safety James Ihedigbo. Lockett’s chances of making the team were also hurt after he suffered a season-threatening thigh injury in Thursday’s preseason win over Tampa Bay.

The release of the UDFA Roth comes to no surprise as well with roster deadlines approaching. The young tackle from TCU was considered a long shot to make the team from the beginning.

For more New England Patriots coverage, visit our team page and blog, Pats Pulpit

New England Patriots Signings: Ricky Brown Signs With Patriots

2011-08-20T20:11:23Z

Ricky Brown, the former linebacker from Boston College and the Oakland Raiders, has signed with the New England Patriots, according to an announcement from the team on Twitter on Saturday afternoon.

The Patriots announce the signing of veteran LB Ricky Brownless than a minute ago via TweetDeck Favorite Retweet ReplyNew England Patriots
realpatriots

Brown was a linebacker and a defensive end at Boston College, where he won the Scanlan Award honoring a senior football player who is outstanding in scholarship, leadership and athletic ability.

In 2006, Brown signed with the Oakland Raiders as an undrafted free agent. He was placed on the practice squad and made his NFL debut in Week 5 at age 23 against the San Francisco 49ers. Brown finished the season with seven tackles in 13 games. In five NFL seasons, Brown has 74 tackles (26 assisted), four pass deflections and three forced fumbles.

For more New England Patriots coverage, visit our team page and blog, Pats Pulpit.

New England Patriots Signings: Pats Sign Ex-Jets S James Ihedigbo

2011-08-20T01:23:24Z

James Ihedigbo, a safety formerly of the New York Jets, announced via his Twitter account on Friday that the has signed with the New England Patriots.

Thanks to #jetsfans for all the love an support greatly appreciate it's on to a new chapter.....I'm Officially a New England Patriot!!!!!!less than a minute ago via TwitBird Favorite Retweet ReplyDIGGZ44
JamesIhedigbo

Ihedigbo is a product of the University of Massachusetts-Amherst and was signed by the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2007. In three seasons with the Jets, Ihedigbo has recorded 11 tackles and five sacks in 37 games.

Last season, Ihedigbo set career highs with nine tackles and three sacks in 14 games.

For more New England Patriots coverage, visit our team page and blog, Pats Pulpit.