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Rookie free agent OL Coffman signed

Glen Lansky, the agent for former East Carolina OL Josh Coffman has confirmed Coffman's signing by the Patriots as an undrafted rookie.

Coffman is 6-foot-7, 310 pounds and "faster and stronger than ever," Lansky said in an email. He began his career with the Pirates as a tight end and developed into an all-conference offensive lineman.

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 10:56 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

J. Andruzzi update

While we were emailing Joe Linta, the agent for rookie free agent Vince Redd, we asked him about former Patriots' offensive lineman Joe Andruzzi, who was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma nearly a year ago.

Linta reports that Andruzzi's cancer is in remission and the three-time Super Bowl winner is "doing very well."

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 10:21 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Pats sign rookie free agent Redd

The names of the undrafted rookies signing with the Patriots are starting to trickle in.

Agent Joe Linta confirms that Liberty DE/OLB Vince Redd has signed with New England. Redd is 6-foot-6, 264 pounds and transfered to Liberty from Virginia, where he played under former Bill Belichick assistant Al Groh.

In this interview Redd describes himself as a "complete outside linebacker" and says he prefers the 3-4 defense because "it allows for more freedom on the field."

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 10:09 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Former P Patrick dies at 55

From the Patriots' PR department:

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The New England Patriots are saddened to learn that former punter Charles Michael “Mike” Patrick passed away suddenly Sunday morning in his hometown of Biloxi, Mississippi at the age of 55.

Patrick spent his entire professional football career with the Patriots in four seasons from 1975-78.

Patrick left the Patriots as the team’s third leading punter. He presently ranks fifth on the Patriots’ all-time punting leaders list after accumulating 8,481 yards on 225 attempts in 43 career games with the organization from 1975-78.

After being signed as a rookie free agent in 1975, Patrick burst onto the scene with the Patriots and had his finest professional season as a rookie. In his very first NFL game, he boomed a 62-yard punt against Houston, a punt that was the Patriots’ longest since 1968.

“I think what people would remember most about him is that he was probably the most gregarious, happy-go-lucky guy you would ever meet,” said longtime friend and former Patriots teammate John Smith. “He was the most generous man I’ve ever met and would give you the shirt off his back. He had that great Southern drawl and people were just drawn to him.”

In his collegiate career at Mississippi State University from 1972-74, Patrick claimed several season punting records with the Bulldogs. Patrick still ranks fifth on Mississippi State’s career punting list in punts (171 attempts), yardage (6,999) and average (40.9 yards per attempt).

Memorials may be given to: Hope Haven, P.O. Box 3777, Bay St. Louis, MS 39521.

The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at 1 p.m. where friends may call from 11 a.m. until service time at the Riemann Family Funeral Home, 274 Beauvoir Rd, Biloxi, MS.

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 5:39 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Mayo's HS coach weighs in

We just finished a long conversation with Jerod Mayo's high school coach, Tommy Austin. Austin coached Mayo at Kecoughtan High in Hampton, Va. from his sophomore season on, and had some great things to say about his former star.

It remains to be seen how Mayo will develop as a player for the Patriots, but it sounds as though he certainly fits the mold of high-character guys New England loves.

"He's probably the best I’ve ever coached as far as complete package," Austin said. "As a football player and a human being. Jerod is the total package."

The coach, who retired from teaching and coaching last year after more than 20 years and now works at Chowan University in North Carolina, also coached former Patriot Antwan Harris in high school.

Austin said he still talks to Mayo at least once a month, and when they do chat, Mayo's first question to Austin is about the coach's family. If Austin's two daughters are home, Mayo wants to speak with them as well.

The coach said Mayo is always appreciative and takes time to thank others for the little things. Austin's daughter, Lindsey, served as a team manager her senior year at Kecoughtan, and he recalled one day, after Lindsey did a favor for Mayo, he asked her to marry him.

"I doubt the proposal is still open," Austin said with a chuckle, "but I hope she finds somebody just like Jerod."

And really, what better compliment is there than that?

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 1:38 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Projo PatsTalk with Shalise: Summing up the Draft

Click the play button below to hear Shalise's audio report on the Patriots' picks in the 2008 NFL Draft.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 1:01 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Silva signs with Colts

East Providence native Jamie Silva, who surprisingly did not hear his name called yesterday during Day 2 of the NFL draft, has signed a contract with the Indianapolis Colts.

One AFC scout told us last night that Silva would likely latch on with a team that plays a 4-3, Tampa-2 defense, and that's exactly what the Colts are. Coach Tony Dungy is the godfather of the Tampa-2, and while local fans might be disappointed to see a Rhode Islander headed to one of the Pats' biggest rivals, Indy is a good place for Silva and his style of play.

We should be speaking with him shortly to get reaction to his new team and to what must have been a disappointing day for him yesterday.

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 12:56 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Seau hints at comeback

Good friend Dan Pires of the New Bedford Standard-Times slipped an important note about Junior Seau into one of his draft stories this weekend.

Namely, that Seau wants to come back to the Patriots for a 19th NFL season. The 39-year old is at home in San Diego recovering from rotator cuff surgery.

Wrote Pires:

Seau confirmed Saturday that the two sides have spoken, and he's expected to return to the area shortly for a physical, but he's not totally convinced that he's in the team's plans.

"It's all good," he said from southern California, as he was preparing to head out and surf.

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 10:39 AM to Junior Seau | Permalink | Comments 1