FOXBORO, Mass. - The New England Patriots announced the signings of four players today, including veteran free agent cornerback Terrell Buckley. They also signed three members of their 2001 draft class; tight ends Jabari Holloway and Arther Love as well as placekicker Owen Pochman. The Patriots have now signed six of their 10 draft picks. Terms of the contracts were not disclosed.
"With all the multiple receiver formations that offenses present these days, you can never have too many players who can cover," said Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick. "Terrell has done that in the past and we look forward to him joining the competition when camp begins."
Buckley, 30, has recorded 370 tackles, 38 interceptions and scored 4 touchdowns while playing in 142 consecutive games during his nine-year NFL career. The 5-foot-9-inch, 176 pound cornerback was originally drafted by the Green Bay Packers with the fifth overall pick in the 1992 draft. In three seasons with the Packers (1992-94), Buckley accumulated 125 tackles, 10 interceptions and 1 touchdown. Prior to the 1995 season, he was traded to the Miami Dolphins. In his five seasons with the Dolphins, he amassed 210 tackles, 22 interceptions and 2 touchdowns. In 1998, he recorded a career-high with 8 interceptions, including one that he returned for a touchdown. He became an unrestricted free agent after the 1999 season and signed with the Denver Broncos on July 21, 2000. During the 2000 season, he started all 16 games for the Denver Broncos and led the team with 6 interceptions, returning one 32 yards for a touchdown in the season opener against St. Louis (9/4/00). He became an unrestricted free agent in March of 2001.
Holloway, 22, was drafted by the Patriots in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL draft with the 119th overall selection. The 6-foot-2-inch, 258-pound tight end was a four-year letterman at Notre Dame and started 37 of 44 games during his career. He caught 41 passes for 692 yards and 7 touchdowns. He also earned a reputation as a dominant blocking tight end and was credited with 115 knockdowns during his collegiate career. His best year as a receiver was in 1998, when he caught 15 passes for 262 yards, including a career-long 51-yard reception. He also scored two touchdowns.
Love, 23, was drafted by the Patriots with their first of two picks in the sixth round of the 2001 NFL draft, the 180th overall selection. The 6-foot-4-inch, 250-pound tight end was a four-year letterman at South Carolina State and started 27 of 30 games over his final three seasons. He caught 34 passes for 562 yards and 4 touchdowns. He was voted team captain for both his junior and senior seasons and had his best year as a senior when he caught 20 passes for 342 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He was also credited with 61 knockdown blocks.
Pochman, 23, was drafted by the Patriots in the seventh round of the 2001 NFL draft with the 216th overall selection. The 6-foot, 180-pound placekicker was a four-year letterman at Brigham Young. He extended a Pochman family tradition when he took over the BYU kicking chores from his brother Ethan, who graduated after the 1996 season. He finished his career with 333 total points, converting 66 of his 91 field goal attempts (72.5 pct.) and 135 PATs. In 1998, he scored a career-high 101 points, including 20 of 27 field goals (74.1 pct.) and 41 of 42 PATs.
