Patriots WR Tate agrees to 4-year deal

WR Brandon Tate, a third-round pick, has agreed to a four-year deal that includes a $755,000 signing bonus, according to the Boston Globe. Tate was coming off an ACL injury and a failed drug test, which is the reason he was available in the third round of the draft. Tate will have a chance to compete for playing time if all goes well. The Patriots are top-heavy at wide receiver, but beyond Randy Moss and Wes Welker, the rest of the spots are up for grabs.

"I'm (excited) to come here," Tate said after April's draft. "I know one of them is going to take me under their wing, and whatever they tell me, it's got to be the right thing because they're (each) one of the best. I'm glad I'm on a team like this, and I just want to learn to get better. I was already really familiar with the Patriots -- the caliber of their team; they're a championship team. Like I said, Bill Belichick, he gave me a chance, so I'm going to come in and work extra hard for him."

Butler offically joins Pats' crowded secondary

CB Darius Butler, a second-round pick out of UConn, has agreed to a four-year deal. It's worth about $3.9 million, according to ESPN.com. Agent Drew Rosenhaus also announced the agreement on his Twitter page, and ProFootball talk reported Butler will receive a roster bonus of $440,000, a guaranteed option bonus of $1.6275 million and base salaries of $310,000 in 2009, $395,000 in 2010, $582,500 in 2011, and $770,000 in 2012.

 

Butler had an impressive minicamp in June while flying under the radar. Butler is part of a crowded backfield that features an eclectic mix of veteran talent such as Shawn Springs and Leigh Bodden and young up-and-comers Terrence Wheatley, Jonathan Wilhite, and Mike Richardson, but he stayed around the ball throughout the entire camp and could continue to turn heads once training camp opens.

Moss' Sore Hammy Worth Watching Closely

WR Randy Moss was having an outstanding start to training camp by all accounts, until he pulled up lame with a left hamstring injury while sprinting downfield Wednesday. He sat out Thursday's practice and was called day-to-day by always tight-lipped coach Bill Belichick.

The good news for the Patriots is Moss walked off the field under his own power with the leg wrapped. But the concerning aspect is a continuing trend of nagging injuries for the 30-year-old receiver. While he missed just four games in two years with Oakland, he was slowed late last season by an ankle injury and played through groin, knee and rib injuries in 2005.

While the hamstring doesn't appear to be a serious setback at this point, any hint of a trend of leg problems for a receiver entering his 30s who relies heavily on his game-breaking speed has to be a major concern for Belichick & Co.