The Patriots picked up a new receiver on July 24. Keron Henry, 23, was originally signed by the New Orleans Saints as a rookie free agent out of the University of Connecticut in 2005. The 6-foot-1-inch, 222-pound wide receiver was released by the Saints prior to the start of the year and re-signed to the team's practice squad for the first three weeks of the season. He signed with the San Diego Chargers immediately after the 2005 season and was allocated to NFL Europe.
Henry was a starting wideout for the Berlin Thunder at NFL Europe in the 2006 season. He played along side Patriots receiver Rich Musinski all season for the Thunder, recording 14 receptions for 158 yards by the end of NFL Europe's 10-week season.
The Chargers waived Henry on June 1, 2006. While at Connecticut, Henry transitioned from quarterback to wideout (in 2002) and adapted quickly, finishing his career ranked ninth in school annals with 1,615 yards receiving. He has been in a few different systems recently, but should learn the Patriots schemes quickly – he graduated with a 3.0 gpa, double majoring in computer science and electrical engineering with a mathematics minor. He totaled 102 receptions, including a streak of at least one reception in 23 consecutive games at UConn.
Jon Doty, 24, was waived by the Patriots on July 24. He was signed by New England as a first-year free agent on June 8, 2006. The Carolina Panthers originally signed the 6-7, 320-pound offensive lineman as a rookie free agent in 2005 out of Kansas State. He was released by the Panthers and signed to the New York Giants practice squad in mid-December of last season. He played in NFL Europe during the 2006 season, played in all ten games, starting nine of them. The Giants released him on May 30.
Defensive back Gemara Williams was waived on July 25. The Patriots signed Williams, 23, on May 8, 2006 as a non-drafted rookie free agent from the University of Buffalo. The 5-8, 185-pound defender recorded 39 passes defensed during his collegiate career, the most in school history. Last season, he finished the year with 61 tackles and 14 passes defensed, including one interception. He started his career at safety, but made the transition to cornerback during his junior year.
