Patriots sign Donte Stallworth

Patriots Sign Another Receiver
Stallworth Dramatically Changes Receiving Corps

Update [2007-3-11 10:12:29 by tommasse]:

ESPN is reporting that the New England Patriots signed wide receiver Donte Stallworth to a 6-year deal worth in the area of $30 million.

Stallworth, 28, played in Philadelphia last year after spending four years in New Orleans, where he was the 13th overall pick in 2002 NFL draft.

Stallworth had 38 receptions (4th on Philly) for 725 yards (2nd) for a 19.1 average yards-per-catch with 5 touchdowns for the Eagles in 2006. He had 3 catches for 41 yards and a score against the New York Giants in the 2006 Wild Card round and 3 more for 100 yards and a TD in the loss against his former team in the NFC Divisional Playoffs.

Remember that the Eagles had Donovan McNabb for half the season and then Jeff Garcia for half. Stallworth also missed four games from Sept. 24 to Oct. 22, and he hardly played in the regular-season finale.

Stallworth has 233 catches for 3516 (15.1 avg.) and 28 touchdowns in his 5-year career. His best season was his last with New Orleans, when he had 70 receptions for 945 yards and 7 TDs.

The same ESPN report says Stallworth may be in the NFL's substance-abuse program and may be subject to a suspension if he violated the the program's conditions.

ESPN said that $12 million of the contract are guaranteed.

This is the Patriots second major (top 10 on many lists) free agency pickup after landing linebacker Adalius Thomas last weekend.