Projo Pats Blog

March 9, 2008 - March 15, 2008 Archives

According to an article in today's Boston Globe, the Patriots have informed beloved receiver Troy Brown that they will not be offering him a contract for the 2008 season.

Brown played just one game last season, returning punts in the regular-season home finale against Miami. At that time, it was suspected that the game might be Brown's swan song and a chance for the fans to thank the franchise's all-time leader in receptions for all that he had done in his Patriots career.

The former eighth-round draft pick underwent knee surgery after the 2006 AFC title game, and began the season on the physically unable to perform list. He was activated to the 53-man roster on Nov. 27, and was on the 45-man game day for just two games: the Dec. 23 Miami contest and the AFC Divisional round game with Jacksonville. Ellis Hobbs, injured at the time, let it slip that Brown was activated in case he was needed as a nickelback.

Brown, who was recently roasted in his adopted hometown of Huntington, W.V., was not activated for Super Bowl XLII. He apparently has not decided yet whether he wants to return for a 16th season; though other teams reportedly have expressed interest, Brown has remained with New England over the past three seasons because his sons couldn't imagine seeing him play for another team.

If the Dolphins game was in fact his last, it was a bittersweet day for Brown -- while he was warmly embraced by the crowd every time he stepped on the field, one of the punts he fielded went off his facemask and got away from him. After the game, Brown admitted to a mixture of butterflies and excitement.

For the record, the 198th pick in the 1993 draft has 557 receptions for 6,366 yards (11.4 ypc), and 31 touchdowns, just two fumbles lost, 252 punt returns for 2,625 yards (both franchise records) and three touchdowns, 51 tackles and three interceptions, three Super Bowl rings and one very grateful fan base.