Lacking depth at receiver, Patriots sign Decker to deal

The New England Patriots signed freeagent receiver Eric Decker in hopes of adding depth to their receiving corps.

The eight-year NFL veteran signed with New England on Friday after working out for the team this week. The Patriots are looking to give quarterback Tom Brady more options following Julian Edelman’s four-game suspension for violating the NFL policy on performance enhancers, the free-agency departure of Danny Amendola and trade of Brandin Cooks.

Decker, the husband of singer Jessie James, joins his fourth NFL team. A third-round pick in the 2010 draft by Denver, the 31-year-old spent four seasons with the Broncos, three with the Jets and last season with the Titans.

He caught 54 passes for 563 yards and touchdown for Tennessee. He’s appeared in 111 games in his career with 83 starts, amassing 5,816 receiving yards and 53 touchdowns. made the 34-person squad called the Saintsations. The 25-year-old is a dance teacher from Maurice, Louisiana.

Hernandez’s addition to the Saintsations comes after a fired member of the dance squad accused the Saints of discrimination against women in a complaint filed with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Men have participated in more traditional NFL cheer squads in the past, including with the Saints. But until lately, modern NFL dance squads were comprised only of women.

In March, the Los Angeles Rams announced they had named two men to their dance squad.

The Pro Bowl is headed back to Orlando, Florida.

The NFL announced that the all-star game will be played Jan. 27 at Camping World Stadium. It will be televised on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and simulcast on ABC. Tickets go on sale in the fall.

Players on the winning Pro Bowl team will be eligible to receive a grant from the NFL Foundation to support the high school or youth football programs of their choice.