New England Patriots (12-4-0)
New England Patriots: 2013 team needs
We highlight the top three needs on offense and defense for the New England Patriots, and take a look back at their 2012 draft class.
With Brady deal, Pats again a step ahead
The Patriots haven't won a Super Bowl in nearly a decade, yet they proved again that they are almost always the smartest, most innovative NFL club.
Patriots sign Brady to extension through 2017
QB Tom Brady signed a three-year extension with the Patriots, keeping him in New England through 2017, Sports Illustrated’s Peter King reported.
Report: Patriots OT Vollmer has knee scope
Patriots ORT Sebastian Vollmer underwent an arthroscopic procedure on his knee, according to Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald.
Patriots CB Dennard found guilty of assaulting a police officer
A jury found Patriots CB Alfonzo Dennard guilty of assaulting an officer and resisting arrest, stemming from an April 21 incident in Lincoln, Neb.
Patriots sign former CFL DL Vega
The Patriots signed former CFL D-lineman Jason Vega, the team announced on Tuesday.
Redskins sign DT Brace
The Redskins signed former Patriots second-round pick DT Ron Brace on Thursday.
Insider: Time is catching up to Brady
An NFL insider didn't like what he saw from Tom Brady in the AFC Championship game, and wonders if the we're seeing a player in decline.
NFL: Brady fined $10K for 'aggressive slide'
The NFL has fined Patriots QB Tom Brady $10,000 for an "aggressive slide" in Sunday's AFC championship game against the Ravens.
NFL looking into Brady's slide vs. Ravens
The NFL is looking into Tom Brady's leg-up slide that hit Ravens safety Ed Reed in the AFC championship game.
Patriots almost end Super Bowl loser curse
A look at the recent Super Bowl losers who returned the following season to post double-digit wins.
Brady's slide draws ire of Ravens safety Pollard
Tom Brady's foot-up slide in the AFC championship game did not sit well with Ravens SS Bernard Pollard.
Ravens' 'D' stymies Brady yet again
Columnist Ron Borges writes of Tom Brady's recent troubles when facing the Ravens.
Flacco's three TDs help give Ravens AFC title
John Harbaugh and his Ravens set up a family reunion at the Super Bowl, shutting down the Patriots 28-13 Sunday in the AFC championship game.
Friday injury report for conference championships
Here is the Friday injury report for the conference championships, showing to what degree injured players participated in their teams' practices.
PLAYER NEWS
Edelman, Julian (WR)
The New England Patriots have re-signed Edelman. He was an unrestricted free agent.
The 26-year-old former seventh-round draft choice caught 21 passes for 235 yards and three touchdowns last season before going on injured reserve with a foot injury. In four NFL seasons, he has 69 receptions for 714 yards and four touchdowns. He has also returned three punts for touchdowns, including a franchise-record 94-yarder against Miami in the 2010 season.
The 26-year-old former seventh-round draft choice caught 21 passes for 235 yards and three touchdowns last season before going on injured reserve with a foot injury. In four NFL seasons, he has 69 receptions for 714 yards and four touchdowns. He has also returned three punts for touchdowns, including a franchise-record 94-yarder against Miami in the 2010 season.
Dennard, Alfonzo (CB)
Dennard was sentenced Thursday to 30 days in jail and two years of probation for assaulting a police officer outside a Lincoln bar last year.
In court, Dennard apologized to his coaches, supporters, police and his family and promised to abide by the terms of the probation. He declined comment after leaving court.
In court, Dennard apologized to his coaches, supporters, police and his family and promised to abide by the terms of the probation. He declined comment after leaving court.
Gronkowski, Rob (TE)
The New England Patriots say they don't have any comment on published reports that Gronkowski has an infection in his broken arm that could keep him out into the season.
The Boston Herald reported on Sunday that Gronkowski has an infection in the area where a metal plate was installed to repair his left forearm. Doctors will have to wait for the infection to go away to replace the plate, and Gronkowski would need 10 weeks after that to recover, the paper said. Patriots spokesman Stacey James said the team doesn't expect to comment on the report.
The Boston Herald reported on Sunday that Gronkowski has an infection in the area where a metal plate was installed to repair his left forearm. Doctors will have to wait for the infection to go away to replace the plate, and Gronkowski would need 10 weeks after that to recover, the paper said. Patriots spokesman Stacey James said the team doesn't expect to comment on the report.
Jenkins, Michael (WR)
The New England Patriots have signed free agent wide receiver Michael Jenkins.
In his ninth season, Jenkins caught 40 passes for 447 yards and two touchdowns with the Minnesota Vikings last year. He joined them in 2011 after seven seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, who drafted him in the first round in 2004 out of Ohio State.
In his ninth season, Jenkins caught 40 passes for 447 yards and two touchdowns with the Minnesota Vikings last year. He joined them in 2011 after seven seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, who drafted him in the first round in 2004 out of Ohio State.
Kelly, Tommy (DT)
The Oakland Raiders have released Kelly, cutting ties with their longest-tenured position player on the roster.
Kelly signed a $50.1 million, seven-year contract to remain with Oakland in 2008. He was owed $6.5 million this year before being cut. Kelly had one sack in 16 games last season.
Kelly signed a $50.1 million, seven-year contract to remain with Oakland in 2008. He was owed $6.5 million this year before being cut. Kelly had one sack in 16 games last season.
Svitek, Will (T)
The Patriots have signed Svitek.
Svitek is a seven-year veteran who spent three seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs and the past four with the Atlanta Falcons. He was on injured reserve all last year with an arm injury. Svitek has played in 61 games with 16 starts since being drafted by the Chiefs in the sixth round in 2005 out of Stanford. Kansas City released him at the end of training camp in 2008. He was out of the NFL that year, then signed with Atlanta on Feb. 12, 2009.
Svitek is a seven-year veteran who spent three seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs and the past four with the Atlanta Falcons. He was on injured reserve all last year with an arm injury. Svitek has played in 61 games with 16 starts since being drafted by the Chiefs in the sixth round in 2005 out of Stanford. Kansas City released him at the end of training camp in 2008. He was out of the NFL that year, then signed with Atlanta on Feb. 12, 2009.
Wilson, Adrian (S)
The New England Patriots have released receiver Brandon Lloyd and re-signed defensive backs Aqib Talib, Kyle Arrington and Adrian Wilson. The team made the announcements on Saturday.
Wilson is a five-time Pro Bowl selection who holds the NFL record for most sacks in a season by a defensive back, eight, and is the sixth player in NFL history to record 25 sacks and 25 interceptions in his career.
Wilson is a five-time Pro Bowl selection who holds the NFL record for most sacks in a season by a defensive back, eight, and is the sixth player in NFL history to record 25 sacks and 25 interceptions in his career.
Arrington, Kyle (CB)
The New England Patriots have released receiver Brandon Lloyd and re-signed defensive backs Aqib Talib, Kyle Arrington and Adrian Wilson. The team made the announcements on Saturday.
Arrington tied for the NFL lead in 2011 with seven interceptions.
Arrington tied for the NFL lead in 2011 with seven interceptions.
Talib, Aqib (CB)
The New England Patriots have released receiver Brandon Lloyd and re-signed defensive backs Aqib Talib, Kyle Arrington and Adrian Wilson.
Talib was acquired by New England in a trade with Tampa Bay on Nov. 1 for a 2013 fourth-round draft pick. He started in five of six games for New England after the trade and had 19 tackles and an interception that he returned 59 yards for a touchdown.
Talib was acquired by New England in a trade with Tampa Bay on Nov. 1 for a 2013 fourth-round draft pick. He started in five of six games for New England after the trade and had 19 tackles and an interception that he returned 59 yards for a touchdown.
Washington, Leon (RB)
The Patriots announced the signing of Washington, who has played seven seasons with the New York Jets and Seattle Seahawks.
Washington, 30, is a former fourth-round draft choice from Florida State who shares the NFL record of eight career kickoff returns for touchdowns. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2008 and 2012.
Washington, 30, is a former fourth-round draft choice from Florida State who shares the NFL record of eight career kickoff returns for touchdowns. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2008 and 2012.
