Gaffney returns to Patriots
One day after the New England Patriots brought back Randy Moss, they re-signed wide receiver Jabar Gaffney, giving them their top three receivers back for next season.
While the team did not release details of the contract – it never does – it was widely reported in several outlets, including the Boston Globe and Boston Herald, that Gaffney signed a one-year deal.
He spoke to Dan Pires of The Standard Times of New Bedford, Mass., and said he would have liked a longer contract: "I wanted to get a longer deal, but we couldn't. But we will get it done."
The NFL Network reported the deal was worth $2 million.
Gaffney caught 36 passes for 449 yards and a career-high five touchdowns last year. He started the season as the No.4 receiver, but passed Donte Stallworth – who signed with the Cleveland Browns – on the depth chart late in the season. He joins Moss and Wes Welker to give quarterback Tom Brady three top options in the passing game.
"Jabar is a good fit for our offense,'' said Patriots Coach Bill Belichick in a statement. "He has been a versatile and dependable player who steps up in whatever role is asked of him.''
Gaffney was originally a second-round pick by the Houston Texans in 2002. He was signed as a free agent by the Patriots on Oct. 6, 2006.
The Patriots also took a small step toward fixing their defensive secondary issues, signing veteran cornerback Jason Webster. He has been injury-prone the last couple of seasons, appearing in just nine games, and is seen as a replacement for Randall Gay, not Asante Samuel.
Posted at 01:12 PM
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