The Patriots signed rookie free agent punter/kicker Kareem Anderson of Washington State on Friday.
Washington State finished last in the Pac-10 last season with a record of 1-7 in conference play and 3-9 overall but that gave Anderson plenty of opportunities to display his talents. Anderson was tied for second in the conference in total punts for the 1999 season with 82. Only Nick Harris of California had more with 85. Anderson ranked 49th in the nation with an average of 41.3 yards with a long of 69 yards.
Anderson had seven touchbacks and 10 of his punts went for fair catches. Of his 82 punts, 32 percent (26-of-82) were downed inside the 20 yard-line.
Anderson is the fourth Cougar on the current Patriots roster. Quarterback Drew Bledsoe, defensive tackle Chad Eaton and fellow rookie free agent Ryan Tujague, a tackle, are all Washington State alumni.
In other news, former New England scout Chris Grier has taken a similar job with the Miami Dolphins. Grier, son of former Patriots Vice President of Player Personnel Bobby Grier, joined the scouting department in July of 1995 after interning during the 1994 season. He worked as a regional scout for the Patriots.
