FOXBORO, Mass. - The New England Patriots announced that they have placed cornerback Ty Law on the reserve/suspended list today. Also today, the team also announced that they were awarded safety Matt Stevens, who was claimed off waivers from the Washington Redskins, signed fullback Jeff Paulk off the practice squad and added former Boston University punter Brad Costello to the practice squad.
Law, 26, had started the first 15 games of the season and finishes with 74 total tackles and a pair of interceptions. His 74 tackles currently ranks fifth on the team. He also has a team-high 11 passes defensed. In six NFL seasons, Law has started 79 of 87 games and totaled 399 tackles (338 solos) and 22 interceptions. His 22 interceptions currently ranks ninth in team history.
Stevens, 27, is a fifth-year veteran who was a third-round draft choice (80th overall) of the Buffalo Bills. The 6-foot, 206-pound safety played four years at Appalachian State. In 1996, he started 11 of the 13 games he played in as a rookie, making 49 tackles (30 solos) and recording two interceptions. In 1997, the Bills released him following training camp and he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles. That year, he finished second on the team with 16 special teams tackles while playing in 10 games. He started the 1998 campaign with the Eagles where he played in seven games, making one start, recording 18 tackles (10 solos). He signed with the Washington Redskins late in the season seeing his first action in Week 14. He made four special teams tackles in three games played. Last season, he played in 15 games, starting one for the Redskins, and recorded a career-high 54 tackles (36 solos), a team-high six interceptions, and 12 passes defensed. He also recorded his first NFL sack, and three special teams tackles. He made three tackles for the Redskins in the playoffs. This season, he played in all 15 of the Redskins games, including four starts. He recorded 43 tackles (33 solos), recovered one fumble and intercepted one pass before his release. In his career, he has played in 63 games, made 17 starts, amassed 173 tackles (118 solos), intercepted 10 passes, made one sack, recovered two fumbles, and forced one fumble.
Paulk, 24, was signed by to the Patriots practice squad on Dec. 7, 2000. He was originally drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round of 1999 NFL draft (92nd overall). He was on their roster his entire rookie season and was active for one game. The 6-foot, 240-pound fullback was with the Falcons during the preseason, but was released following training camp on Aug. 19. Paulk played in 43 games with 19 starts at Arizona State. He gained 554 yards on 121 carries (4.6 avg.) during his Sun Devil career.
Costello, 26, originally signed with the Bengals as a rookie free agent on April 23, 1998. He was released following training camp, but was re-signed to their practice squad on Nov. 11. He was signed to their active roster on Dec. 7 and played in the final three games of the season. He averaged 49.5 yards per punt on 10 punts. In 1999, he saw action in five games and averaged 33.8 yards per punt on 22 punts. He was released by the Bengals on Aug. 22, 2000. The 6-foot-1, 230-pound punter led the Atlantic 10 in punting in 1996 and 1997 and finished his collegiate career as Boston University's all-time leader with a 42.3-yard average.
