FOXBORO, Mass.—The New England Patriots announced that they have re-signed rookie free agents Tom Ashworth and Scott McCready to the five-man practice squad today.
Ashworth, 23, was originally signed by the San Francisco 49ers as a rookie free agent out of Colorado following the 2001 NFL draft. The 6-foot-6-inch, 295-pound offensive tackle played two seasons as a tight end for the Buffaloes before making the transition to offensive tackle as a junior. He played in three preseason games for the 49ers before being waived on Aug. 27, 2001. He was signed to the Patriots practice squad on Sept. 4, 2001, but was released on Oct. 9.
McCready, 24, signed with the Patriots as a rookie free agent following the 2001 NFL draft on April 27, 2001. The 6-foot, 200-pound receiver lettered at South Florida, where he led the team with 37 receptions for 517 yards and 6 touchdowns as a senior in 2000. He was born Feb. 1, 1977 in London, England, but earned all-district and all-conference selection as a senior at King High in Tampa, Fla. before attending South Florida. He was released by the Patriots on June 25, 2001.