New England signed defensive end Ferric Collons late Wednesday, bringing the former Patriot back after his contract was terminated last February.
The 6-7, 300-pound Collons, who was with New England for four seasons prior to his brief departure, agreed to a one-year deal worth $400,000. While with the Patriots he played 50 games, including 27 starts. From 1995-98 he had 91 tackles, 5.5 sacks and two blocked field goals. Last season Collons started 13 games and played in 14 games overall.
Collons played on the Patriots Super Bowl team in 1996, as he started every postseason game that year. He had six tackles in the playoffs, including a sack against Green Bay in the Super Bowl.
Collons signed with Oakland in June and was with the Raiders throughout the preseason, but he was released when the team made its final cuts. To make room for Collons, the Patriots released defensive end Sterling Palmer, who was attempting a comeback after two seasons out of the NFL.
