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Welker introduced

Hey all --

Wes Welker recently finished up a conference call with the Patriots' media corps. Though for some reason we had a hard time hearing all of it, here's bits and pieces of what we did hear from New England's newest receiver.

On coming into the league as an undrafted longshot and now a veteran with a nice contract:
"Coming into the league, I was just hoping to play for a couple of years. I wanted work on getting better, doing things to make me a better football player."

On where he feels he is best suited, in the slot or as an outside receiver:
"I think I'm better suited for the slot, I'm more comfortable in the slot, but through practice I knew all three positions on the field, so I was comfortable with everything."

Welker also said that the second meeting of the year between the Pats and Dolphins, in December, was the first time a team double-teamed him every time he lined up. "It was a frustrating day."

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 12:26 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Daniel Graham a Denver Bronco

Former New England Patriots tight end Daniel Graham has signed a 5-year, $30-million deal with the Denver Broncos, according to John Clayton of ESPN. Clayton reported that the contract includes $15 million in guaranteed money.

Graham will be joining the team that his father, Tom Graham, played for in the 1970s.

The 28-year-old Graham has played all five of his NFL seasons with the Patriots. Last season, he caught 21 passes for 235 yards and 2 touchdowns in 12 games. Over the weekend, the Patriots signed veteran tight end Kyle Brady; they also have younger players Benjamin Watson and David Thomas at the position.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 8:05 AM | Permalink | Comments 3

Philly, New England vie for Stallworth's services

In Philadelphia and here in New England, they're trying to sort through the conflicting reports surrounding the future of free-agent wide receiver Donte Stallworth.

Stallworth, who the Eagles picked up before last season in a trade with New Orleans, visited New England yesterday. There were reports -- apparently erroneous -- that Stallworth left with a contract offer. Certainly, New England would be interested in having Stallworth join new addition Wes Welker in the team's receiving corps.

According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, there were also inaccurate reports that the Eagles had made a bid for Stallworth. It turns out that Stallworth's agent, Drew "No Comment" Rosenhaus, did have discussions yesterday with Eagles officials after it was revealed in the Inquirer that Stallworth is in the NFL's substance-abuse program. According to the newspaper, the Eagles wanted to make clear that they did not leak the story.

The 26-year-old Stallworth made 38 receptions for 725 yards (an impressive 19.1 yards-per-catch average) and 5 touchdowns in 12 games with Philadelphia last year. He missed four games due to injury.

Stallworth's free-agent tour is still scheduled to make stops with the Tennessee Titans and the Miami Dolphins.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 7:58 AM | Permalink | Comments 1