New England signed rookie free agent linebacker Barrin Simpson Thursday and announced that first-year free agent quarterback Brian Kuklick and rookie free agent cornerback Robbie Duncan were both waived.
The 5-11, 226-pound Simpson started every game in 1999 for the Mississippi State Bulldogs. He had a team-high 105 tackles and had two sacks. Simpson was also second on the team with two interceptions. The Starkville, MS native started 26 of 39 games while at Mississippi State and recorded five sacks, 11 tackles for losses and three interceptions.
The 6-3, 205-pound Kuklich was signed by the Patriots on Feb. 29. He sat out the 1999 season after being released by the Oakland Raiders prior to the season. At Wake Forest he set school records for passing yardage and touchdown passes.
The 5-10, 190-pound Duncan was signed by New England on April 19 after going undrafted out of Wyoming. In four years at the school he had 171 tackles and six interceptions.
