FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The New England Patriots announced the signing of free agent linebacker Bobby Carpenter. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Carpenter, 28, is a veteran of six NFL seasons with Dallas (2006-09), Miami (2010) and Detroit (2010-11). The 6-2, 249-pounder was originally drafted in the first round (18th overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft by Dallas out of Ohio State. He has played in 89 NFL games with 10 starts and has accumulated 165 total tackles, one interception that he returned for a touchdown, 3.5 sacks, five passes defensed and one fumble recovery.
After four seasons with Dallas, Carpenter was traded by the Cowboys to the St. Louis Rams on May 10, 2010 for OT Alex Barron. He was released by the Rams prior to the start of the 2010 season and was signed by the Miami Dolphins. He played in five games with two starts for the Dolphins in 2010 before being cut and signing with the Detroit Lions, where he finished the 2010 season.
Last season, Carpenter played in 16 games with three starts for the Lions and recorded 29 total tackles and his first career interception at Dallas on Oct. 2 and returned it 34 yards for a touchdown.
