FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Patriots announced that they have signed rookie DL Travis Chappelear, WR Johnathan Haggerty, first-year WR Lavasier Tuinei and rookie free agent DL Scott Vallone.
In addition the Patriots released rookie DB Stephon Morris.
Chappelear, 24, was originally signed by Cincinnati as a rookie free agent on April 30, 2013 out of Northwest Missouri State but was released by the Bengals on May 13, 2013. The 6-foot-5, 263-pounder, began his college career at Missouri Valley College and then at Missouri State for two seasons. After sitting out the 2010 season, he walked on at Northwest Missouri State for the 2011 and 2012 seasons. Last season, he registered 63 total tackles, 1½ sacks and two blocked kicks.
Haggerty, 25, was originally signed by Cleveland as a rookie free agent out of Southwestern Oklahoma on April 30, 2010. The 6-foot-1, 195-pounder, spent his rookie season on Injured Reserve. He was released by Cleveland at the end of the 2011 training camp and spent part of the 2011 season on the Chicago practice squad. Haggerty was a four-year letterman at college, totaling 173 receptions for 2,726 yards and 23 touchdowns.
Tuinei, 22, was originally signed by Seattle as a rookie free agent on April 29, 2012, out of Oregon. The 6-foot-4, 200-pounder, spent most of the year on the Seahawks' practice squad. Tuinei spent part of the 2013 offseason with Cincinnati and Dallas. He totaled 108 receptions for 1,212 yards and 12 touchdowns in three seasons with Oregon.
Vallone, 23, was a four-year starter at defensive tackle for Rutgers. The 6-foot-3, 275-pounder, appeared in two games as a true freshman in 2008 before undergoing season-ending surgery and was redshirted. During his four-years as a starter, Vallone all 63 games and recorded 195 total tackles and 8½ sacks. He was named a first-team All-BIG EAST last season after starting all 13 games and finishing with 52 total tackles and three sacks.
Morris, 22, was signed by the Patriots as a rookie free agent on May 3, 2013. The 5-foot-8, 190-pounder, played in 49 games with 24 starts over his college career at Penn State and finished with 148 tackles, one interception and 13 passes defensed.
