FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Patriots signed veteran defensive lineman Tim Bulman and veteran tight end Visanthe Shiancoe (vi-sahn-TAY SHANK-oh) today. Terms of the contracts were not announced. In addition, the Patriots released running back Joseph Addai.
Bulman, 29, is a veteran of seven NFL seasons with the Arizona Cardinals (2005) and Houston Texans (2006-11). The 6-foot-4, 281-pound defensive lineman originally entered the NFL as a rookie free agent with the Cardinals out of Boston College in 2005. He spent the majority of his rookie season on the practice squad before being signed to the 53-man roster in early November and played in eight games. Bulman was released by Arizona following training camp in 2006 and spent that season and 2007 seasons rotating between the Houston practice squad and 53-man roster. His first full season in the NFL on the 53-man roster was in 2008.
A native of Milton, Mass. and a Boston College High School graduate, Bulman has played in 49 NFL games with two starts and registered 57 total tackles and 4.0 sacks.
Shiancoe, 32, is a veteran of nine seasons with the New York Giants (2003-06) and Minnesota Vikings (2007-11). The 6-foot-4, 250-pound tight end originally entered the NFL as a third-round draft choice (91st overall) of the Giants in 2003 out of Morgan State. He joined Minnesota as an unrestricted free agent on March 3, 2007.
Shiancoe has played in 144 NFL games with 90 starts and has 243 receptions for 2,677 yards and 27 touchdowns. He has not missed a game in his nine NFL seasons. His best statistical season came in 2009 when he caught 56 passes for 566 yards and 11 touchdowns, a team record for a Vikings tight end. Last season he started in 14 of 16 games and caught 36 passes for 409 yards and three touchdowns.
Addai, 29, was signed by the Patriots as a free agent on May 10, 2012 following a six-year career with Indianapolis. He originally joined the Colts as a first round draft pick (30th overall) out of LSU in 2006 and was released by Indianapolis on March 9, 2012.
The 5-11, 214-pound running back has played in 78 NFL games with 60 starts and has gained 4,453 yards on 1,095 carries and has 39 rushing touchdowns. He has also added 191 receptions for 1,448 yards and nine touchdowns.
