The Tebucky Jones trade to New Orleans became official Monday afternoon as the team announced the deal in a late afternoon press release. The trade sends the five-year NFL veteran to the Saints in exchange for a third round pick, number 78, and a seventh round pick, number 239, in this year's draft, as well as a fourth round selection in 2004.
In five seasons in New England the former first round pick out of Syracuse played in 72 games and started 36. His career numbers include 195 tackles, 2.5 sacks, four interceptions, 29 passes defensed, six forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and 65 special teams tackles.
Following the trade the Patriots now have 13 picks in the April 26-27 draft. It is the most picks the team has had since 1996 and ties the Houston Texans for the most in this year's draft. New England has two picks in the first (14 and 19), third (75 and 78), fourth (120 and 128) and fifth (154 and 157) rounds, one pick in the second (50) and sixth (193) rounds and three picks in the seventh round (225, 234 and 239).
Seven Patriots see NFLE action
Patriots wide receiver Scott McCready and fullback Michael Malan had productive outings for the second straight week in NFL Europe, as seven Patriots saw action in Week Two. McCready led all Scottish Claymores receivers with 78 yards on four catches while Malan, the former Brown University star, racked up 38 yards on the ground while contributing 30 yards to the Claymores' game-opening touchdown drive. But, the efforts of the Patriots allocates were not enough to allow the Claymores to claim victory, as they suffered their first loss of the season, 17-13, to the Frankfurt Galaxy and Patriots center Mike Clare at Hampden Park in Glasgow. Starting at center for the second straight week, Clare helped power the Galaxy's effective running game, which rolled for 115 yards on the afternoon. For the Claymores, starting tight end Rod Trafford hauled in a pass for the second week in a row (good for 15 yards in the first quarter), and quarterback Shane Stafford completed three of seven passes for 59 yards. Claymores starting cornerback Dyshod Carter notched a tackle and an assist. In other action across the pond, Patriots middle linebacker Courtney Ledyard started for the Rhein Fire in their 21-10 win over the Berlin Thunder at the Olympiastadion in the German capital.
This weekend will allow Patriots fans their first chance to see the Claymores and their five Patriots players on Fox Sports Net. The Claymores will travel to Germany to take on the Rhein Fire on Saturday, April 19 at 1:00 p.m. EDT in a game that can be seen locally on Fox Sports Net New England. The game will feature six Patriots, five of whom will likely start.
NFLE Numbers and Notes
McCready had a solid week with four receptions for 78 yards. His two-week totals included five catches for 104 yards and one touchdown. … Stafford's totals through two weeks include 9-of-16 passes for 135 yards,one touchdown and four interceptions with a quarterback rating of 65.4. … In two consecutive starts at fullback to open the season for the Claymores Malan has totaled three catches for 43 yards and two rushes for 23 yards. … Trafford has two catches for 27 yards in two starts. … Carter has tallied eight tackles and a pass defense in two starts. … Ledyard has started two games at middle linebacker for the Rhein Fire and has four solo tackles. … Clare has started the first two games for the Frankfurt Galaxy, the only 2-0 team in NFLE. The Harvard grad anchored a Galaxy line that led the way for 115 yards rushing this past weekend. … Wide receiver T.C. Taylor is on injured reserve with the Barcelona Dragons.
NFL News and Notes
The league announced the players it has invited to be in attendance in New York City for the opening round of the 2003 NFL Draft on April 26. Quarterbacks Carson Palmer and Byron Leftwich, wide receiver Charles Rogers, cornerback Terence Newman, and defensive linemen Jimmy Kennedy, Dewayne Robertson and Terrell Suggs were all invited to be on hand to hear their names called by NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue. …
New Cowboys head coach and former Patriots coach Bill Parcells is looking to whip his new team into shape this offseason according to a recent report in The Dallas Morning News.
"If there's going to be a fat guy on this team," Parcells reportedly told his players, "It's going to be me." …
According to today's Miami Herald restricted free agent safety Arturo Freeman and defensive tackle Jermaine Haley will "likely return to the Dolphins and not receive offer sheets as restricted free agents."
There had been previous reports that the Patriots might have some interest in Haley, but according to agent Drew Rosenhaus, his client hadn't received the type of contract offer he was looking for from any of the interested teams. …
The Dolphins did make two signings over the weekend. Former Patriots running back Robert Edwards signed his one-year tender offer of $375,000 as an exclusive-rights free agent and Miami signed former Bills return-man Charlie Rogers to a one-year $550,000 deal according to the Palm Beach Post.
The Patriots media relations department contributed to this report.
