TE Alge Crumpler. AP Photo.
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The New England Patriots announced today the signing TE Alge Crumpler. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Crumpler, 6-2, 262 pounds, is a veteran of nine NFL seasons with the Atlanta Falcons (2001-07) and the Tennessee Titans (2008-09). He has stated 122 of 139 regular season games and has accumulated 367 receptions for 4,691 yards with 37 touchdowns. Among active NFL tight ends, Crumpler (12.8) ranks second in average yards per reception to Antonio Gates (13.0). In addition to his pass-catching skills, Crumpler is also known for his physical presence at the line of scrimmage, helping the Falcons offense lead the NFL in rushing in three of his last four seasons in Atlanta.
Crumpler originally joined Atlanta as a second-round draft choice (35th overall) out of North Carolina in 2001. He signed with Tennessee as an unrestricted agent prior to the 2008 season. Crumpler earned four-straight Pro Bowl honors from 2003 through 2006. He enjoyed one of his best seasons in 2005 when he registered career-highs with 65 receptions for 877 yards. Crumpler followed that campaign with a career-best eight touchdowns in 2006.
Last season in Tennessee, Crumpler started 14 of 16 games and finished with 27 receptions for 222 yards and one touchdown.
