Pats sign David Terrell
 

Pats agree to Terrell deal

By Mike Reiss/ MetroWest Daily News
Monday, April 4, 2005 - Updated: 07:20 AM EST

The Patriots [stats, news] made veteran receiver Derrick Mason one of their top targets when free agency began last month. Yet while the Patriots and Mason couldn't strike a deal - he went to the Ravens instead - the defending champions have audibled with an eye on game-breaking threats.

After signing Tim Dwight to serve as a punt returner and reserve receiver last month, the Patriots added another potentially explosive target by agreeing in principle on a one-year contract with free agent David Terrell.

Both moves further create doubt over the possibility of 12-year Patriot Troy Brown [news] returning for the 2005 season.

The 6-foot-3, 212-pound Terrell, who is entering his fifth season, has had an up-and-down career since being selected by the Bears eighth overall in the 2001 draft - two picks after the Patriots tabbed Richard Seymour [news]. Playing in 52 of a possible 64 regular season games, he's caught 128 passes (an average of 32 per year) for 1,602 yards with nine touchdowns.

But as a former teammate of Patriots quarterback Tom Brady [news] at the University of Michigan, Terrell had a big supporter in Foxboro, as sources said Brady gave team officials his vote of confidence. Brady and Terrell shared tremendous success at Michigan in 1998 and '99, when Brady went 20-5 in two years as a starter. Meanwhile, Terrell racked up 152 receptions for 2,317 yards and 23 touchdowns in three seasons with the Wolverines (1998-2000).

But their careers have taken different paths in the NFL.

While Brady has risen to stardom, Terrell hasn't yet reached his potential and was released by the Bears late last month.

With his size, Terrell brings a different dimension than most of the Patriots [stats, news]' top receivers on the roster. Emerging star Deion Branch [news] is just 5-9, 193, while David Givens [news] (6-0, 215), Dwight (5-8, 180) and Bethel Johnson [news] (5-11, 200) are all on the smaller side. Only 2004 rookie P.K. Sam (6-3, 210) would stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Terrell.




After a 34-catch, four-touchdown season in 2001, Terrell broke a bone in his left foot after five games of the 2002 season. He returned in 2003 to make 43 catches, and followed that up with 42 last year, disappointing numbers from such a high draft pick.

In addition, Terrell hasn't helped himself off the field. According to published reports, he was arrested for six traffic charges last November after being pulled over for reckless driving and driving with a suspended license. [continue]

Damnit Ca- err.. .nevermind.

Yeah, we'll see. The funniest thing about this move is that LEGIONS of Patriots fans were IRATE when Belichick took Richard Seymour (who? ONE sack last year at Georgia) with the #6 pick in the '01 draft over Terrell, who went at #7, I believe.

Now, of course, nobody admits to this, but several Boston sportswriters are permanently known for having loudly killed Belichick for the Seymour pick, and have been forced to repeatedly eat their words on that one.

I love this move. It more than makes up for the loss of david Patten. At 6'-3" one of our biggest recievers.

Their names aren't Borges or Mannix are they? ROFL

Yeah, now that you mention it. ROFLROFLROFL

Someone really needs to come up with a "greatest hits" of those guys.

"duplicitious pond scum"

"won't be winning 3 Super Bowls anytime soon".

:LOL: :LOL:

If any other team had signed David Terrell, I would have yawned. Since the Pats did, i fully expect him to have a helluva year next season.

I think its a great move for the Pats. When you are a team like that you can take a player with some issues and get the best out of them.

Plus it's a one year deal. You can bet your azz that it's for a pretty low salary with lots of incentives. If he pulls his drunk driving or other stupid azz schtick again, he'll be cut before you can say "No Brady for you!".

Further to my last post, here's the list of stud QBs Terrell has been blessed with during his NFL career:

"Terrell, who clicked with Tom Brady at the University of Michigan in the late 1990s, has never played with a quarterback for an extended period of time in the NFL. Jim Miller, Shane Matthews, Kordell Stewart, Chris Chandler, Rex Grossman, Jonathan Quinn and Chad Hutchinson all attempted 98 or more passes in Terrell’s time with the team. "

Yep, I agree, this is the type of deal that could just blow up and be huge, like Priest Holmes was for us

I would advise David if they ask him to play DB, to refuse. Look what it did for Troy 'team player' Brown.

Yeah, it helped get him the universal respect of his teammates, the adoration of Patriots nation, and another one of these worthless trinkets:

http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/super-bowl-ring.jpg

Well, hurk dee hurk...Yathink?

I was talking more to David's hopes of a long term contract and making a joke at the same time. Forgive my attempt at humor didnt meet your expectations yet again.

When attempting somewhat inobvious humor, a smilie or something might be helpful. :shrug:

Ah well, once again we're not on the same wavelength...