FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The New England Patriots acquired DE Derrick Burgess in a trade with Oakland for undisclosed draft considerations today. Additionally, the Patriots released OL Al Johnson today.
Burgess, 6-2, 260 pounds, is a veteran of eight NFL seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles (2001-2004) and the Oakland Raiders (2005-2008). Burgess originally joined the NFL as a third-round draft pick by Philadelphia (63rd overall) out of Mississippi in 2001. He has accumulated 227 total tackles, 47 sacks during his career.
After a four-year career in Philadelphia, Burgess joined Oakland as an unrestricted free agent in 2005 and earned Pro Bowl honors in his first two seasons with the Raiders, registering 16 sacks in 2005 and 11 sacks in 2006. His 16 sacks in 2005 led the NFL and set an Oakland team record for most sacks in a season.
Johnson, 6-5, 305 pounds, was originally signed by the Patriots on March 16, 2009. He is a veteran of six NFL seasons with the Dallas Cowboys (2003-06), Arizona Cardinals (2007) and Miami Dolphins (2008). Johnson was originally selected by the Cowboys in the second round (38th overall) of the 2003 NFL Draft out of Wisconsin. Johnson was signed by the Cardinals as an unrestricted free agent on March 5, 2007. Last season, Johnson was placed on injured reserve by the Cardinals with a knee injury and was released from injured reserve on Oct. 21, 2008. He was signed by the Dolphins as a free agent on Nov. 29, 2008 and played in four games for Miami last season, seeing reserve action at both guard and center.
