New England Patriots
Jake Ballard - #88 - TE
| Status | Active |
| Height/Weight | 6' 6"/ 275 lbs. |
| Birthday | 12/21/1987 |
| Birthplace | Springboro, OH |
| College | Ohio State |
| Years played | 3 |
Patriots No. 4 pick scouting report: RB Stevan Ridley, LSU
The Patriots took another running back, selecting LSU's Stevan Ridley with the 73rd overall pick.
Patriots trade down, get two picks from Texans
The Patriots traded their third second-round pick, the 60th pick overall, to the Texans for Houston's third- (73rd) and fifth-round (138th) picks.
Patriots No. 3 pick scouting report: RB Shane Vereen, California
With their second pick in the second round, the Patriots took California RB Shane Vereen 56th overall.
Patriots No. 2 pick scouting report: CB Ras-I Dowling
With the 33rd overall pick, and the first pick of the second round, the Patriots decided to hold onto the pick and select Virginia Tech CB Ras-I Dowling, a big, physical corner.
Patriots No. 1 pick scouting report: OT Nate Solder, Colorado
With the 17th overall pick, the Patriots picked a player they hope to be their left tackle of the future, Colorado's Nate Solder.
Patriots finalize preseason schedule
The Patriots finalized their 2011 preseason schedule on Friday, and it includes a nationally televised game against the Lions.
Saints trade back into first round for RB Ingram
The Saints re-entered the first round of the NFL draft at No. 28, trading with the Patriots to acquire Alabama RB Mark Ingram.
Patriots trade 28th pick to Saints
To no one's surprise, the Patriots traded their second first-round pick, the 28th overall selection, to the Saints for New Orleans' second-round pick this year (pick No. 56) and a first-round pick in 2012.
Pats draft for future with Solder
The Patriots did not draft the best player available, nor did they address the need on defense, but they took a guy who could be the tackle of the future in Nate Solder.
Report: Patriots interested in No. 6 pick
The Patriots have interest in trading up to acquire the No. 6 overall pick, currently held by Cleveland, in Thursday's draft, according to The Boston Globe.
Reaction to Patriots' 2011 schedule
In 2011, the Patriots' schedule will be soft at the beginning and end, but they will face a tough six-game stretch in the middle of the season against five '10 playoff teams.
Teams should mimic Wolf's QB ways
Ron Wolf drafted seven quarterbacks from 1992 to 2000 in his time as Packers general manager. He turned some of them into draft picks in future trades. Current teams should take note.
Parcells on coaching: 'I'm done'
Bill Parcells told reporters on Monday that his career as an NFL head coach is over.
Bledsoe, Parcells nominated for Patriots Hall of Fame
Bill Parcells and Drew Bledsoe join Houston Antwine as the 2011 Patriots Hall of Fame finalists. It's the first year Parcells and Bledsoe are eligible, and Antwine's a three-time finalist.
PLAYER NEWS
The Patriots placed Ballard on the physically unable to perform list.|||||||
He continues to rehab from a torn ACL he suffered in the Giants' Super Bowl victory over New England in February.
The New England Patriots have claimed Ballard off waivers from the New York Giants.|||||||
Ballard, 24, spent two seasons with the Giants after being signed as a rookie free agent out of Ohio State in 2010. He was released by the Giants on Monday after he failed a physical. Ballard tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during the Giants' Super Bowl victory over New England in February. In his second pro season, Ballard had 38 receptions for 604 yards and four touchdowns. He had five catches for 43 yards in the postseason before being injured.
The Giants waived Ballard on Monday after he failed a physical exam.|||||||
Ballard tore the ACL in his left knee during the Giants' Super Bowl victory over New England in February. In his second pro season, Ballard had a breakout year with 38 receptions for 604 yards and four touchdowns. He had five catches for 43 yards in the postseason before being hurt. The Giants have seven tight ends on the roster, including holdovers Bear Pascoe and Travis Beckum - who tore his right ACL in the Super Bowl - and free agent signee Martellus Bennett.
Ballard tore his left anterior cruciate ligament during the second half of Super Bowl, the team announced on Tuesday.|||||||
An MRI discovered Ballard's injury, and with the help of crutches, he was able to participate in Tuesday's parade and ceremonies in New York and New Jersey. Ballard, an undrafted free agent, had 38 catches for 604 yards and four touchdowns this regular season. In the four playoff games, he had five catches for 43 yards. He had two receptions in the Giants' 21-17 win over New England on Sunday.
Ballard sprained his left knee in the fourth quarter of the Super Bowl.|||||||
The Giants tight end had hurt the knee earlier in the season and was wearing a brace on it. His return was listed as questionable.
