WR Lee tops the list of Pats’ free agent signings
Marqise Lee hopes to revive an injuryplagued career at his latest NFL stop in New England.
The former Jaguars receiver was one of eight veteran free agents signings announced by New England on Thursday. The list also includes quarterback Brian Hoyer, who agreed to a one-year deal last month.
Lee marks the Patriots’ most significant move this offseason to begin rebuilding a receivers group that saw Phillip Dorsett depart in free agency. New England also added fullback Dan Vitale, most recently with Green Bay, to replace James Develin, who announced his retirement this week.
The 39th overall draft pick in 2014, Lee appeared in six games last season before going on injured reserve with a shoulder injury. He also missed the entire 2018 season with a knee injury. He has 30 career starts, with 174 receptions for 2,184 yards and eight touchdowns.
New England’s other signings were defensive lineman Beau Allen, receiver Damiere Byrd, linebacker Brandon Copeland, and defensive backs Cody Davis and Adrian Phillips.
Gronk offers explanation:
New Tampa Bay Bucs tight end Rob Gronkowski is having to explain that he was simply joking when he said over the weekend that he had been studying the Bucs playbook before he had even signed on with the team.
“I was in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ playbook four weeks ago,” Gronk said on Saturday night as part of Bud Lightsponsored draft bash, “and I wasn’t even on the team.”
Of course, some thought the goofy football star was being serious.
“This is seriously a story,” the four-time All-Pro with the Pats wrote on Twitter on Wednesday night. “LOL.”
If he had been studying the Bucs playbook before he officially signed with the team on April 21 that would have broken NFL rules. But does Gronk seem like a guy who goes out of his way to do extra studying?
Barkley, Giants give back:
Saquon Barkley and the Giants gave the community a virtual experience they won’t forget as part of SAP’s “Take Your Child to Work Day” last week.
Barkley, the Giants’ feature running back, shared workout tips for fans on video, demonstrating cardio, upper body, leg, and ab work to stay fit while stuck at home.
And Pete Guelli, the Giants’ senior VP and chief commercial officer, surprised two frontline healthcare workers with an exclusive Giants gameday package to thank them for their bravery and hard work during the coronavirus pandemic.
Patricia Gardener, a nurse manager at Hackensack Meridian Health, and Cesar Ulloa, a nursing assistant at the Hospital for Special Surgery, were both floored by the Giants’ gesture.
Guelli said both Gardener and Ulloa will get to attend a game of their choice. They will sit at the 50-yard line “in a wellappointed suite.” They will get to watch warmups from field level while wearing the jersey of their favorite player.
Bengals part ways with Dalton:
The Bengals cleared the way for Joe Burrow to lead the team by releasing quarterback Andy Dalton, who holds several of the franchise’s passing records but couldn’t lead the Bengals deep into the playoffs.
The move Thursday gives Dalton, who had a year left on his deal, a chance to compete for a job with another team.
It also clears the way for Burrow to start fresh on a team that hasn’t won a playoff game since the 1990 season, the fifthlongest stretch of futility in NFL history.
Dalton led the Bengals to their best stretch of playoff appearances — five straight from 2011-15 — but couldn’t get that elusive win.
Dalton was a second-round pick in 2011 when quarterback Carson Palmer demanded a trade and threatened to retire rather than continue playing for the Bengals. He holds Bengals career records for TD passes (204) and completions (2,757). He also holds club marks for career passer rating (87.5) and games with 300 yards passing (28).