If you're looking for another link to 2001 training camp, look no further.
OK, that's a bit of a stretch, but Patriots Football Weekly is reporting that another player left Patriots training camp, this departure taking place more than a week ago without much fanfare.
Offensive lineman Mike Clare, a 2001 Harvard graduate, who signed with the Patriots back on Feb. 11 decided to leave camp early in the first week before the veterans reported on July 26 after deciding he didn't want to play in the NFL.
Clare was allocated to NFL Europe by the Patriots and spent the spring season starting for the Frankfurt Galaxy.
Clare was a physchology major at Harvard and hails from Rutherford, N.J. As a collegian, he captained Harvard's 2000 squad and was selected first team All-America as a senior. He started 30 straight games at left tackle over three years with the Crimson. The Harvard offense set school records for total offense (4,679 yards) first downs (239) and points scored (327) during the 2000 season and was ranked fifth in the nation in IAA.
He was originally signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent on April 24, 2001, but was released in June of that year.
His agent, Massachusetts-based Brad Blank, confirmed that Clare simply decided to use his Harvard education and degree to puruse a career outside of football.
The timing of his departure made him the first of two Patriots offensive linemen to walk away from the game. Guard Rich Tylski retired two days into training camp.
Last season, the Patriots training camp revolving door saw Andy Katzenmoyer come, go and come again; watched Terry Glenn come and go and saw guard Joe Panos retire.
