LOWELL, Mass. -- New England Patriots defensive back Willie Andrews was arrested during a traffic stop Tuesday on charges of possession of marijuana and driving an unregistered motor vehicle.
The morning arrest came one day after the team returned from Arizona, where the New York Giants upset New England 17-14 in Super Bowl XLII to end the Patriots' perfect season.
Andrews was to be arraigned Tuesday in Lowell District Court, said Corey Welford, a spokesman for the Middlesex district attorney. Welford did not have further details, and a call to the Patriots was not immediately returned.
The Patriots declined to comment specifically on Andrews' arrest.
"The conduct of our players is very important to the New England Patriots," spokesman Stacey James said in a statement. "As is our policy, team discipline will be handled internally."
Andrews completed his second year with the Patriots, spending time on special teams return and coverage units. He scored his first NFL touchdown in October on a 77-yard kickoff return against the Miami Dolphins.
The 24-year-old player from Longview, Texas, was drafted in the seventh round out of Baylor in 2006.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
