The Patriots made their first splash in the free agent market this season, signing Pro Bowl special teamer Larry Izzo today.
Izzo (5-10, 228, linebacker) will be entering his sixth season in the NFL, all of them with the Miami Dolphins. Miami signed Izzo in 1996 as an undrafted free agent out of Rice and he immediately contributed. That year he was second in special teams tackles for Miami and was voted to the Pro Bowl as a special teams alternate.
Last season, Izzo led the Dolphins with 31 special teams tackles and was named as the special teams player for the 2000 AFC Pro Bowl team -- the first time a Dolphin had been selected for the spot.
"Not only is Larry a highly productive special teams player who has contributed to a lot of victories in this league, he brings a strong attitude and leadership that will be a positive influence on our team," said head coach Bill Belichick.
Izzo was an unrestricted free agent. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.