FOXBORO, Mass. – The New England Patriots announced the signing of restricted free agent Chris Carter today. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. In addition, rookie linebacker Tony Ortiz was claimed off waivers from the Dallas Cowboys.
Carter, 25, started 15 games for the Patriots last season at free safety and finished the season with 94 tackles, which ranked fourth on the team. He intercepted a pair of Peyton Manning passes in a victory over the Colts (9/19/99) and finished tied for second on the team with three interceptions for the year. He was originally drafted by the Patriots in the third round of the 1997 NFL draft, 89th overall. He appeared in every game in 1997 and 1998, almost exclusively on special teams. In 1998, his 20 special teams tackles ranked second on the team. In three seasons with the Patriots, he has totaled 112 career tackles, including two sacks.
Ortiz, 23, was originally signed by the Dallas Cowboys as a rookie free agent on April 19, 2000. The 6-foot, 233-pound linebacker started 20 of 44 games played during his collegiate career at Nebraska. He totaled 132 total tackles, including 8.5 sacks and 23 tackles for losses. He is a native of Bronx, N.Y.
