The Pats claimed Jonathan Smith (WR) off waivers after being cut from Buffalo. The Pats cut Bam Childress (WR) to make room for Smith. They also signed the following to the practice squad: Billy Yates (OL), Dan Stevenson (OL), Kelvin Kight (WR), Corey Mays (LB), Santonio Thomas (DL), and Antwain Spann (DB).

Deion Branch (WR) is still a Patriot; however, the following will no longer play at the "Razor": Patrick Cobbs (RB) was traded to Pittsburgh for an undisclosed draft pick, Barry Gardner (LB) was placed on Injured Reserve, and the following were cut: Monty Beisel (LB), Jeremy Mincey (LB), Chad Brown, Eddie Berlin (WR), Corey Bramlet (QB), Vernell Brown (CB), Eddie Freeman (DL), Chris Luzar (TE), John Stone (WR) , and Eric Warfield (CB).

The Pats cut the following: Hank Poteat (CB), Freddie Roach (LB), Rich Musinski (WR), Keron Henry (WR), Brian Barthelmes (C), Nick Steitz (G).

THE NFL HAS IMPLEMENTED NEW RULES FOR THE 2006 FOOTBALL SEASON. THEY ARE AS FOLLOWS:

The NFL Competition Committee spends the early part of the offseason examining existing rules, and suggesting possible
changes to the rules. Rules changes are then voted upon by the teams at the NFL Annual Meeting in the spring.
No matter what the changes, NFL players and coaches know they have to be cognizant of them.

New NFL rules for 2006:
• Down by contact calls may be reviewed by instant replay. Previously, a fumble was not reviewable if the ball carrier
was ruled down by contact. If the ruling of down by contact is changed, the ball belongs to the recovering player at the
spot of the recovery of the fumble. Reason for the change: Provides a mechanism for correcting an obvious on-field
officiating error.

• Each instant replay review will be a maximum of 60 seconds in length. Previously, instant replay could last up to 90
seconds. Reason for the change: Shortens game length.

• Individual players are prohibited from using foreign objects or the football while celebrating. They are also
prohibited from engaging in any celebrations while on the ground. A celebration shall be deemed excessive or
prolonged if a player continues to celebrate after a warning from an official. Previously, players were not prohibited
from using props or celebrating on the ground. Reason for the change: Promotes sportsmanship.

• If possible, rushing defenders must make a conscious effort to avoid low hits on the quarterback. Previously,
defenders were not compelled to make a conscious effort to avoid low hits if momentum was a factor. Penalty:
Roughing the passer, loss of 15 yards. Reason for the change: Player safety.

• The prohibition against blocking in the back above the waist applies to a player of the kicking team while the ball
is in flight during a scrimmage kick. Previously, this was not a foul. Penalty: Loss of 10 yards. Reason for the
change: Player safety.

• All players are prohibited from grabbing the inside collar of the back of the shoulder pads or jersey, or the inside
collar of the side of the shoulder pads or jersey, and immediately pulling down the runner. This does not apply
to a runner who is in the tackle box or to a quarterback who is in the pocket. Previously, the “horse-collar” tackle
rule did not include the back of the shoulder pads or jersey. This increases the scope of the rule. Penalty: Loss of 15
yards. Reason for the change: Player safety.

• During a field goal attempt or a PAT, any defensive player within one yard of the line of scrimmage at the snap
must have his helmet outside the snapper’s shoulder pad. This will provide protection to the snapper, who is in a
defenseless position. Penalty: Illegal formation, loss of five yards. Reason for the change: Player safety.

• No more than six players can line up on the same side of a formation on a kickoff. Previously, teams could “load
up” one side with more players for onside kicks. Reason for the change: Player safety.

• If there is a personal foul or unsportsmanlike conduct foul that is (a) not in the continuing action immediately
after the end of a down and (b) occurs between the end of the second period and the beginning of the third
period (or between the end of the fourth and beginning of OT), the penalty shall be enforced on ensuing kickoff.
Previously, these penalties were not carried over. Reason for the change: Provides uniform enforcement for personal
or unsportsmanlike conduct fouls throughout the game.

• If there is a foul during a scrimmage kick or a free kick prior to a player of the receiving team securing
possession of the ball, the offended team will have the option of taking the penalty at the previous spot and
replaying the down or adding the penalty yardage on to the end of the play. Previously, the offended team could
either take the penalty and replay the down or decline the penalty and take the result of the play. Reason for the
change: Eliminates re-kicks.

• If an offensive foul is a foul by the kicking team prior to a player of the receiving team securing possession of the
ball during a down in which there is a safety kick, scrimmage kick, or free kick, the period may be extended by an
untimed down, if the defense accepts the penalty. This provides the option for a receiving team to extend a period if a
kicking team commits a foul prior to a change of possession. Reason for change: Eliminates fouling to obtain an unfair
advantage.

• Teams can now opt to take the result of the play OR replay the down when there is an inadvertent whistle.
Previously, an inadvertent whistle would force the down to be replayed without exception. Reason for change: Current
rule too punitive.

NFL’S “THIRD-QUARTERBACK” RULE – SOMETIMES MISUNDERSTOOD: CLARIFICATION

Fifteen years ago (1991) the third-quarterback rule was instituted to enable teams to have an emergency quarterback available
who was not on the 45-man game-day active roster, since many teams, for strategic purposes, only carried two quarterbacks on
their game-day roster.

Everybody thinks they understand the NFL’s “third-quarterback” rule. But do they?
The rule states that if a third quarterback is inserted before the fourth quarter, a team’s first two quarterbacks cannot be
used in the game at any position.

Another aspect of the rule is sometimes misunderstood. It is a coach’s decision as to whether a third quarterback will be used.
The active quarterbacks do not have to be injured for a team to use its third quarterback.

2006-07 NFL CALENDAR

September 7-11 Kickoff 2006.
October 17 Trading deadline.
October 23-25 NFL Fall Meeting (New Orleans, Louisiana).
December 30-31 Regular season ends.
January 6-7 Wild Card Playoffs.
January 13-14 Divisional Playoffs.
January 21 Conference Championships.
February 4 Super Bowl XLI, South Florida (CBS).
February 10 AFC-NFC Pro Bowl, Honolulu, Hawaii (CBS).
February 21-27 NFL Scouting Combine, Indianapolis, Indiana.
March 25-28 NFL Annual Meeting, Phoenix, Arizona.
April 28-29 NFL Draft, New York City.
Late May NFL Spring Meeting (Site TBD).

The Pats signed Eddie Freeman (DL) and Kelvin Kight (WR).

Deion Branch (WR) is a no-show for the first day of training camp. The Pats signed Walter Rasby (TE) and released Jarvis Herring.

The Pats signed rookie free agents Patrick Cobbs (RB) and Jakari Wallace (WR) today. Terms of their contract were not released.

The Patriot's website has confirmed the signing of the fifteen undrafted free agent players. They are:

Remi Ayodele (NT)
Brian Barthelmes (C)
Corey Bramlet (QB)
Vernell Brown (CB)
Erik Davis (WR)
Kader Drame (DE)
Randy Hand (T)
Jarvis Herring (S)
Keon Jackson (S)
Corey Mays (LB)
Freddie Roach (LB)
Matt Shelton (WR)
Sam Smith (S)
Gemara Williams (CB)
Pierre Woods (LB)

The Pats signed two free agent linebackers. They are: Jeremy Loyd (LB) from St. Louis. Loyd has not seen much action over the past two years as he only played in the last four games with STL, and was on injured reserve the entire 2004 season. Barry Gardner (LB) has played for the Eagles, Browns, and Jets and was releated by the latter on 22 FEB 06. Gardner has decent defensive statistics and can also play special teams.

The Pats made the following selections in the NFL draft:

Round 1; Pick 21 (21st)--- Laurence Maroney (RB), Minnesota (Junior) Click here to read more.

Round 2; Pick 4 (36th) --- Chad Jackson, (WR), Florida (Junior) Click here to read more.

Round 3; Pick 22 (86th) --- David Thomas (TE), Texas Click here to read more.

Round 4; Pick 9 (106th-from Detroit) --- Garret Mills (TE/FB), Tulsa Click here for more.

Round 4; Pick 21 (118th) --- Stephen Gostkowski (K), Memphis Click here for more.

Round 5; Pick 3 (136th-from Oakland) --- Ryan O'Callaghan (OT), California Click here for more.

Round 6; Pick 22 (191st)--- Jeremy Mincey (DE), Florida Click here for more.

Round 6; Pick 36 (205-Compensatory) --- Dan Stevenson (OG), Notre Dame Click here for more.

Round 6; Pick 37 (206-Compensatory) --- LeKevin Smith (DT), Nebraska Click here for more.

Round 7, Pick 21 (229) --- Willie Andrews (S), Baylor Click here for more.

The Pats re-signed Randall Gay (CB) to a contract extension today. Gay was originally signed by the Pats as an undrafted free agent (LSU) on 29 APR 04, and he has certainly earned a spot on the team. Since becoming a Pat, he has played in 20 games, started 11 and has amassed the following: 44 solo tackles, 5 assists (49 total); 2 picks; 7 deflections, and 2 fumble recoveries.

The Pats signed Tebucky Jones (S) and Martin Gramatica (K) to contracts today. Terms of the deal were not released by the team.

Jones started out as a CB where he later switched to a Safety in 2000 and was a member of the Pats SB XXXVI team. In 2003, the Pats traded him to New Orleans for three draft picks. Jones played for New Orleans from 2003 - 2004, and Miami in 2005.

Gramatica will enter his seventh NFL season after playing six years with Tampa Bay. He played 11 games during the 2004 season for the Bucs before being waived. A week later, he was signed by the Colts and did not score any points; however, he did kickoffs for the rest of the season and playoff games. Gramatica did not play in the NFL in 2005.

The NFL has implemented "Flexible Scheduling" during the final seven of eight weeks for the 2006 season. This new scheduling will only affect the Sunday night games during the last seven of eight weeks during the season. Week 16 is not affected due to the Christmas weekend.

Below are the highlights of this new scheduling format (All times Eastern):

-Only Sunday afternoon games are eligible to be moved. Games scheduled on Thursday, Saturday, or Monday night will not be moved.

-Sunday afternoon games, as in the past, can still be moved from 1:00 pm to 4:05 or 4:15 PM.

-Flexible Scheduling begins will begin Sunday 12 NOV 06 (Week 10). There will be no rescheduling during week 16 due to Christmas.

-Most games will be listed as 1:00pm games on the schedule with the exception of the West Coast games which will be listed at either 4:05 pm or 4:15 pm. The Sunday night game will be listed as TBD.

-The NFL will announce 12 days in advance of any changed games, with the exception of Week 17 which will only have 6 days notice. All season ticket holders should check with their team's website, the NFL's website, or other sources to determine if their game has been changed.

-Teams can now have two consecutive Sunday night appearances. Prior to flexible scheduling, this was not allowed.

-Teams will be notified by the league if they are not under consideration for a Sunday night game.

-CBS (AFC games) and Fox (NFC games) can protect five games in seven weeks from being switched, and no more than one per week.

-Up to three teams will be allowed a bonus sixth prime time appearance and all other teams will only be allowed five. (Thursday, Saturday, Sunday night, and Monday night are prime time games.)

-The NFL will not schedule any Sunday night games beginning Week 10, and the slot will be left as TBD.

The Pats signed free agent Eric Warfield (CB) who was released by the Kansas City Chiefs on 2 MAR 06. Warfield spent all 8 NFL seasons with KC playing in 115 games with 77 starts and has amassed the following: 393 tackles (317 solo), 31 Special Team tackles, 63 pass deflections, 20 Interceptions, 3 Touchdowns, 5 Forced Fumbles, and 3 Fumble Recoveries.

The NFL released its spring calendar. See below for important dates:

February 9 - 23 - Period during which clubs can designate franchise or transition players.

February 22 - 28 - Scouting Combine.

March 2 - Expiration of all 2005 player contracts. Deadline for exercising options for 2006 on all players who have option clauses in their 2005 contracts.

March 3 - Veteran free agency signing period begins. Trading period begins.

March 26 - 30 - NFL annual meeting.

April 21 - Deadline for signing of offer sheets by restricted free agents.

April 28 - Deadline for old club to exercise right of first refusal to restricted free agents.

April 29 - 30 - NFL Draft.