Professor

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slu...v=st&type=lgns

Pats re-sign WR Brown, G Neal

March 24, 2006
FOXBORO, Massachusetts (Ticker) - The New England Patriots have lost three prominent players from their championship teams. But the second-leading receiver in franchise history is coming back.

Troy Brown, the team's longest-tenured player, and guard Stephen Neal re-signed with the Patriots on Friday.

Terms were not disclosed.

Brown, 34, has spent his entire career with the Patriots after being selected in the eighth round of the 1993 draft. He has 514 career receptions and needs 21 more to pass Stanley Morgan as the franchise leader. Brown also ranks second with 5,982 receiving yards and is the franchise's all-time leading return specialist with 4,416 combined yards.

When the Patriots won their third Super Bowl title in four years in 2004, Brown showed his versatility by playing at nickel back and finished second on the team with three interceptions.

Last season, Brown finished third on the team with 39 receptions for 466 yards and two touchdowns.

In 2001, Brown set a club single-season record with 101 catches for 1,199 yards. He followed that up with 97 receptions in 2002.

Neal, 29, has been the Pats' starter at right guard for the last two seasons.

Since free agency started in March, the Pats have lost veteran linebacker Willie McGinest, starting wide receiver David Givens and kicker Adam Vinatieri.





Updated on Friday, Mar 24, 2006 2:06 pm EST

MickeyG

two very nice players that the Pats really needed to come back. Brown could have gone either way, but it is great for the franchise to have him back and Neal is still young so they are lucky to have him coming back.

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