Roster

Patriots QB Matt Cassel served as the backup to Tom Brady in 2007. He appeared in six games and passed for 38 yards and one interception while adding 12 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

After his season-ending chest injury in mid-October, there were times when RB Sammy Morris didn't feel he was part of the Patriots. But Monday marked a new beginning for him, reports the Boston Globe. When players convened for the first official day of the team's voluntary offseason program, Morris was right there with them. Morris, who turned 31 Sunday, also feels he has some momentum on his side as he recovers from a sternum clavicle separation. "I'm really pleased with my progress," said Morris, noting that he began lifting weights about six weeks ago. "The doctors say everything looks good and that it was a freak injury, but that guys bounce back from it." Morris's return would bolster a running back group that includes leading rusher Laurence Maroney, do-it-all threat Kevin Faulk, fullback Heath Evans, and second-year man Kyle Eckel.

Chest - Probable for the start of 2008 training camp

The Patriots signed veteran CB Lewis Sanders on Thursday, adding more depth to their secondary. Earlier this offseason, they signed Sanders' former teammate in Atlanta, Jason Webster.

The Patriots released cornerback Tim Mixon and linebacker T.J. Slaughter on Wednesday. The 30-year-old Slaughter was signed by the Patriots as a free agent on Feb. 12. He spent the 2007 season out of football. The Patriots signed the 23-year-old Mixon to the practice squad on Oct. 9, 2007. The 5-9, 184-pound cornerback was signed to the active roster on Feb. 5.

Patriots WR Wes Welker, in his first year in New England, had a career season in 2007. He tied Bengals WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh for the NFL lead in catches with 112 and also added 1,175 yards and eight touchdowns, all career highs. Welker will serve as the No. 2 option for the Patriots if Randy Moss stays as expected as a pending free agent or he could be the No. 1 guy if Moss leaves.

New England signed defensive back James Patrick to the practice squad on Wednesday. They cut him a week ago.

Patriots LB Adalius Thomas had 78 tackles (57 solo), 6.5 sacks, one interception, two forced fumbles and one defensive touchdown in his first season in New England after seven years in Baltimore.

Patriots rookie DL Santonio Thomas, who was waived to create room for the activation of Richard Seymour, was re-signed to the practice squad Monday, according to the Boston Herald.

The Patriots have signed CB Jason Webster, likely to add depth to the cornerback position.

Forearm

Patriots DL Richard Seymour had a down year in 2007 because he played in only nine games after starting the season on the PUP list with a knee injury. He finished with 23 tackles (15 solo) and 1.5 sacks, which were both career lows.

The Patriots listed their Week 11 inactives: QB Matt Gutierrez (third QB), DB Mel Mitchell (coach's decision), DL Le Kevin Smith (coach's decision), DL Kareem Brown (coach's decision), LB Eric Alexander (knee), DB Eugene Wilson (coach's decision).

Patriots LB Mike Vrabel remains one of their best defensive players. He even catches the ball as well. Vrabel finished the season with 77 tackles (55 solo), a team-high 12.5 sacks and five forced fumbles. He also caught two touchdowns on offense.

Vinny Testaverde re-signed with the New England Patriots on Saturday for his 21st NFL season. The move was expected once the Patriots completed two-a-day practice sessions last week. The 43-year-old quarterback signed with New England last Nov. 14 and played in three regular-season games, including the finale in which he extended his streak to 20 seasons with at least one touchdown pass. The Patriots also released safety Artrell Hawkins, cornerback Gemara Williams and linebacker Kyle Bissinger.

Patriots RB Kyle Eckel was a reserve option for New England in 2007. He appeared in 12 games and had 90 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Eckel was more of a special teams player than anything else.

Patriots backup QB Matt Gutierrez, WR Kelley Washington, FB Kyle Eckel, RB Heath Evans, WR Troy Brown, TE Stephen Spach and third QB Matt Cassel all dressed for New England's 28-7 win over the Dolphins in Week 16, but didn't record an offensive stat. Brown did fumble a punt return, however.

LB Tedy Bruschi has not only decided not to retire, he is going to be paid to play beyond next season, if he so chooses. According to the Boston Herald, Bruschi and the team agreed to terms on a multiyear contract Thursday. Bruschi, who turns 35 in June, started all 16 regular-season games and all three playoff games last season. When the Patriots failed to lure free agent LB Zach Thomas to town, then cut LB Rosevelt Colvin largely because of salary cap reasons, the return of Bruschi became more in focus. Bruschi led New England in tackles in 2007 with 92 (64 solo) and also added two sacks.

Patriots DB Ellis Hobbs had a career season in his third year in the NFL. Hobbs had 63 tackles (51 solo), his first career interception, a forced fumble and two defensive touchdowns, which was the first of his career.

The Patriots inactives for Week 14 against Pittsburgh include QB Matt Gutierrez (3rd QB), DB Eddie Jackson, DB Rashad Baker, WR Troy Brown, DL Le Kevin Smith and LB Chad Brown.

The St. Paul Pioneer Press reports that the Patriots and FS Tank Williams have agreed to a one-year contract.

The Boston Herald reports that Patriots QB Tom Brady's ankle is fine after playing with a high-ankle sprain in Super Bowl XLII. He is expected to participate in full in the club's minicamps this offseason.

Patriots TE David Thomas was limited by a foot injury in 2007. He only appeared in two games and finished with one catch for 9 yards. Thomas, a 2006 third-round draft choice, showed promise as a rookie but the injury ruined his sophomore season.

Patriots DB Rodney Harrison had his healthiest year in the past three, playing in 12 games and the entire postseason in 2007 and finishing with 68 tackles (54 solo), two sacks, one interception and one forced fumble. Harrison, if he doesn't renegotiate his contract, will be a free agent following the 2008 season. He also will be 36 at the end of the 2008 season.

The Boston Herald reports that Patriots TE Benjamin Watson had surgery on his left ankle recently and might miss the start of training camp. Watson had cartilage damage and scar tissue, according to several sources familiar with the surgery. When asked about it during the Pats' offseason conditioning program, Watson declined to comment.

Ankle - Questionable for the start of 2008 training camp

Patriots DL Vince Wilfork did his job as a run-stuffer in 2007. He finished with 48 tackles (36 solo) and two sacks.

The Boston Globe reports that the Patriots aren't expected to offer a contract to 15-year veteran WR Troy Brown. Brown has been a Patriot his entire career, totaling 6,366 yards and 31 touchdowns.

According to the Boston Herald, the Patriots retained WR/special teamer Kelley Washington by agreeing to terms on a new deal. Washington had no catches in 2007.

The Patriots signed safety Ray Ventrone on Wednesday.

The Patriots re-signed restricted free agent DL Mike Wright on Friday. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Wright, 26, has played in 38 games with five starts over three NFL seasons, all with the Patriots. He was signed by New England as a rookie free agent in 2005. The 6-foot-4, 295-pound defensive lineman played in nine games with one start for the Patriots last season and recorded 12 tackles (9 solo). He was placed on the reserve/injured list with a foot injury on