FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The Patriots added another member to Bill Belichick's coaching staff Monday when it was announced Pete Mangurian was named the team's tight ends coach.
Mangurian, 49, brings 25 years of coaching experience, including 13 in the NFL, to the Patriots staff. Out off football during the 2004 season, he most recently served as the offensive coordinator on Dan Reeves' staff with the Atlanta Falcons in 2003. He had worked under Reeves for all but three years since beginning his NFL coaching career in 1998, serving as the tight ends coach (1988-1991) for the Broncos and offensive line coach (1991-93) in Denver, for the New York Giants (1993-96) and in Atlanta (1997) before leaving to become the head coach at Cornell (1998-2000). Mangurian then returned to Atlanta as the offensive line coach in 2001 for the next two seasons.
Mangurian becomes the third new addition to Belichick's staff for 2005. Joel Collier (assistant secondary coach) and Harold Nash (assistant strength and conditioning coach) were named to the staff on Feb. 23. Matt Patricia, listed as a coaching assistant in the 2004 media guide, is now the assistant offensive line coach.
The Patriots 2005 coaching staff now includes: Dante Scarnecchia (asst. head coach/offensive line), Eric Mangini (defensive coordinator), Collier, Brian Daboll (wide receivers), Ivan Fears (running backs), Pepper Johnson (defensive line), Josh McDaniels (quarterbacks), Nash, Patricia, Dean Pees (linebackers), Brady Seely (special teams) and Mike Woicik (strength & conditioning).
Patriots, Pass Agree To Terms
The Patriots have re-signed one of their unrestricted free agents, agreeing on a two-year contract with running back Patrick Pass. As per team policy, details of the contract were not disclosed.
Pass, a seventh-round pick by the Patriots in the 2000 Draft, had his best pro season in 2004. He played in all 16 games with four starts, setting career-highs in receptions (28), receiving yards (215), rushes (39) and rushing yards (141). The 5-foo-10, 217-pound Pass, a reserve at both running back and fullback who also recorded 11 special teams tackles, has played all five of his pro seasons with the Patriots.
Harrison In Stripes
Patriots veteran safety Rodney Harrison is attending the NFL Europe League's internship program this week in Tampa Bay, Fla., as one of five active players participating in a three-day officiating program. Harrison, who is interested in an officiating following his playing career, is one of 28 players (11 active, 17 former NFL players) who will participate in the NFLEL training camps. He will don official officiating attire during combined practice sessions on Tuesday, March 8, and is also scheduled to be available to the media via a conference call later in the day.
Quick Hits
Team owner Robert Kraft and two Patriots players will unveil the new team license plate at a press conference Tuesday at Copley Place in Boston, Mass. Proceeds from the plates, which will be available to the public beginning March 8 through the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles, will benefit the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation. The press conference is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. ... ESPN's John Clayton released a salary cap update on all 32 NFL teams on March 4. Clayton reports the Patriots are $3.3 million below the 2005 NFL salary cap.
