FOXBORO -- In a move to add veteran depth to the receiving corps in the wake of injuries to Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski, the Patriots Monday re-signed 33-year-old Donte' Stallworth, according to multiple reports. Gronkowski broke his left forearm on Nov. 18 against the Colts while Edelman left Sun Life Stadium in a walking boot and on crutches after Sunday's game.
On March 19, Stallworth signed with the Patriots before the team released him on Aug. 27, 2012. Stallworth worked out last week for the Patriots before being signed on Monday. In 10 seasons, Stallworth has 320 catches for 4,774 yards and 34 touchdowns.
Stallworth was selected by the Saints in the first round (13th overall) of the 2002 NFL Draft. He caught eight touchdown passes in 2002, his rookie year, but saw less action the next season. In 2005, he recorded a career-high 70 receptions for 945 yards with seven touchdowns.
On March 11, 2007, after one season with the Eagles, Stallworth agreed to terms with the Patriots on a reported six-year deal worth $30 million with $3.5 million guaranteed. The contract was incentive laden, meaning that the Patriots could release him if he underperformed for a small fraction of the full contract. On Feb. 22, 2008, the Patriots declined the option on his contract and he became a free agent. During the '07 season, Stallworth caught 46 passes for 697 yards and three touchdowns.
On March 1, 2008, Stallworth signed a seven-year, $35 million deal with the Cleveland Browns.
However, he had just 17 catches for 170 yards and one touchdown for the Browns in 2008 and then missed the entire 2009 season after being suspended by the NFL following his conviction on manslaughter charges. On Feb. 8, 2010, after being reinstated by the NFL, the Browns terminated Stallworth's contract.
For more, visit the Patriots team page at weei.com/patriots [1].
Links:
[1] http://www.weei.com/patriots
[2] http://www.weei.com/category/boston/patriots