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 |
Starting spot not set in stone for Patriots DE Warren
Despite all the D-line shuffling that went on in 2010, Patriots veteran DE Ty Warren will be fighting to regain his starting spot, and possibly to stay on the roster, after missing all last season with a hip injury.
Pats return to Detroit in preseason
The NFL released its 2011 preseason schedule on Tuesday and the Patriots have a nationally-televised meeting in Detroit among their four games.
Draft countdown: Pick No. 17
PFW looks back at the past 10 players chosen with the 17th pick in the NFL draft, including QB Josh Freeman by the Buccaneers in 2009.
Brady throwing passes post-surgery
Patriots QB Tom Brady was photographed throwing passes in Los Angeles recently. He had surgery on a stress fracture in his right foot after the season.
Stroud looking for resurgence in New England
Marcus Stroud hopes to get a similar lift by playing in New England that the Patriots received from Gerard Warren in 2010.
Draft countdown: Pick No. 28
Pro Football Weekly takes a look at the last 10 players selected 28th overall, including Bills OG-C Eric Wood in 2009.
Patriots add assistant strength coach
The Patriots added Moses Cabrera as the team's new assistant strength and conditioning coach, a position opened after the promotion of Harold Nash.
Morris named to Patriots' Hall of Fame
The Patriots announced Sunday that former center Jon Morris was selected to the Patriots' Hall of Fame by a 10-person senior selection committee.
Belichick misses morning media session
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick was absent from the Wednesday morning "Coaches Breakfast" at the owners meetings in New Orleans.
Belichick opposes kickoff changes
Speaking at the NFL meetings in New Orleans, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said he doesn't like moving up kickoff to the 35-yard line.
AFC team needs
The Raiders will likely have to replace shutdown CB Nnamdi Asomugha, who is a free agent, this offseason, as we identify the top three draft needs of each AFC team.
Patriots owner Kraft to miss league meetings
Robert Kraft, one of the NFL's most influential owners, will miss this week's meetings in New Orleans.
Report: Crumpler has shoulder surgery
Patriots TE Alge Crumpler underwent shoulder surgery in late January, according to Shalise Young of the Boston Globe.
Moss shows love for the Patriots
The always-interesting Randy Moss professed his love for the Patriots during a radio interview on KFAN 1130-AM in Minneapolis on Wednesday.
Owners, teams react to lockout
Teams and owners released statements or spoke to media members on Saturday, reacting to the NFL's first work stoppage since 1987 and what it means for fans.
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.
