New England Patriots Links 3/12/10 - Benjamin Watson Signs With Browns

Mike Reiss reports Benjamin Watson has joined the Cleveland Browns.

Tight end Benjamin Watson, who played for the Patriots the last six seasons, has signed a three-year, $12 million contract with the Cleveland Browns, ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter reports. The deal includes $6.35 million in guarantees.

The Patriots never seemed overly aggressive when it came to bringing Watson back in the fold despite their large void at tight end. They have Robbie Agnone and Rob Myers at the position, and neither has played in a regular-season game.

Watson visited with the Seahawks on Monday and was in Cleveland on Thursday. The Browns didn't let him get away, as Watson signed the contract before boarding his return flight Friday morning.

Stephen Neal talked to the media about his decision to come back and play for the Patriots.

Q: Was there anything serious with any other teams there? Did you ever entertain the thought of leaving?
SN: To be honest, I really didn’t want to leave, but I didn’t know if the Patriots really wanted me back. One of the factors was I wanted to make sure I was wanted or needed somewhere. If something would have came up maybe I would have looked into it. In today’s game, it’s hard for people to sign with one team and be with them their entire career, and I think that’s something special and I’d like to do that.

Kevin Faulk discussed the influences on his career, leadership and wanting to retire as a Patriot.

Q: You talked about being compared to Troy Brown in an interview yesterday and how he started and ended his career in New England. Can you expand on the influence he may have had on your career?
KF: Major. Major impact. Probably over 50 percent. Like you said, just to watch him. I learned everything that he did during the time he was there with me. I’ve [watched] him be a professional in every aspect of his game, not just football.

TEAM TALK

• Erik Scalavino offers some quick observations about the team signings of Stephen Neal and Kevin Faulk.
• Patriots Football Weekly Uncapped, but not Unlimited - Part II.
• The Hall at Patriot Place Speaker Series will feature Patriots Hall of Famer Steve Grogan on April 8.
• Patriots and Raytheon launch 'The Power to Hear' Engineering Design Challenge. Teams of students in grades 6 through 12 are invited to engineer parabolic microphones with winners testing their equipment on the field at a Patriots training camp practice.
• The New England Patriots Charitable Foundation (NEPCF) is currently holding several online auctions on www.ProTeamAuctions.com. The online auction featurs a variety of autographed Patriots memorabilia such as a 2009 team signed ball.

LOCAL LINKS

• Mike Reiss looks at Ben Watson's six-year career with the Patriots and notes without him the Patriots will have a dramatically different look in 2010.
• Christopher Price notes Kevin Faulk and Stephen Neal had their chances on the free agent market this offseason, but when it came right down to it, there was no place they'd rather be than Foxboro.
• Tom E. Curran reports the Patriot Way suits Neal and Faulk just fine.
• Karen Guregian reports Troy Brown was a huge influence on Kevin Faulk and it was important for him to follow in Brown's footsteps, remaining a Patriot until he retires.
• Karen Guregian reports Stephen Neal loves being a Patriot.
• Mike Reiss says Neal was serious about retirement.
• Mike Reiss sees one area that could contribute to the Patriots' improvement in 2010 is having last year's rookie class make a big leap.
• Rich Thompson spotlights NFL hopeful Holy Cross QB Dominic Randolph, who experienced the anxiety of high expectations during yesterday’s Boston College Pro Day.
• Comcast Sports Net NE reports twenty scouts attended BC pro day. (1.06 min. video)
• Christopher Price notes this year's Wonderlic scores are starting to leak out.
• Mike Reiss offers the transcript of his weekly online chat.  Good Q&A here.
• Mike Reiss breaks down the free agent players from the Patriots who are still unsigned.
• Jeff Howe notes Curtis Martin and Terry Glenn are among the best rookies in Patriots history.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Ben Volin (Palm Beach Post) Tim Tebow scores below average on NFL's Wonderlic test.
• Mark Cannizzaro (NY Post) LaDainian Tomlinson has left the Minnesota Vikings facility without a deal in place and is on his way to New York to visit the Jets.
• Tim Graham (ESPN) Is Tomlinson worth it for the Jets? Y-E-S!
• Tim Graham (ESPN) A dissenting view on Tomlinson and the Jets.
• Don Banks (SI) How free agency has affected the draft.
• Tim Graham (ESPN) How I see it: AFC East stock watch.
• Alex Marvez (Fox Sports) Help still out there -- for a price.