Ron Borges of the Boston Globe reports that NFL owners in Dallas have approved a new six-year CBA agreement. The vote was 30-2, with Cincinnati and Buffalo dissenting. NFL teams now will function with a cap of $102 million this year and $109 million in 2007. Jarret Bell of USA Today also reports on the new CBA agreement.
Ron Borges and Jerome Solomon of the Boston Globe report that minutes after the NFL's owners voted 30-2 to extend the collective bargaining agreement six years, the Patriots ended their 12-year agreement with all-time postseason sack leader Willie McGinest. Although the Patriots were not struggling to get under the new cap figure of $102 million, McGinest carried a prohibitive salary cap figure of more than $7 million for next season. The Boston Globe cites a league source as saying that although the Patriots reportedly remain hopeful of signing McGinest, that the Cleveland Browns, San Diego Chargers, Dallas Cowboys, and several other teams intend to explore signing McGinest.
Mike Reiss of the Boston Globe and John Tomase of the Boston Herald report that the Patriots have signed defensive back Artrell Hawkins to a two-year contract for undisclosed terms. The cornerback-turned-safety expects to reprise his role as a swingman in the secondary, where he provided leadership and stability after being signed on Nov. 15. "You get to a place and you're unsure of your future," Hawkins said last night. "You don't need to find 32 teams that like you. You just need one team or one coach to give you an opportunity to compete and play the game you love. I found that in New England, and what better team to do it with than the Patriots."
Tom Curran of the Providence Journal offers his commentary on the agreement of NFL owners to accept the NFL Players Association proposal to extend collective bargaining agreement and the battle that went on behind the scenes.
John Tomase of the Boston Herald writes that former Jets Pro Bowl center Kevin Mawae may be a target for the Patriots to add depth to the offensive line.
FoxSports.com offers a mock draft for the first two rounds of this years draft.
Mike Reiss of the Boston Globe offers his daily sports blog with Patriots notes. Reiss also offers his latest Patriots mailbag which focuses on new contracts for wideout David Givens and kicker Adam Vinatieri.
Tom Curran of the Providence Journal offers his daily sports blog with Patriots notes and commentary.
