Published reports indicate that the Patriots hooked their first free agent of the offseason on Tuesday by agreeing to terms with veteran cornerback Tyrone Poole. The 5-8, 188-pound Poole comes to New England with 8 years of NFL experience after spending 2002 with the Denver Broncos. The team was not yet confirming the signing early Wednesday morning.
Poole visited the Patriots on Monday and was expected to weigh the team's offer along with others he had received from the Broncos and the Kansas City Chiefs. In the end his agent said the player would end up where he was most comfortable with all factors and that appears to be New England.
The former first-round pick out of Fort Valley State, number 22 overall by the Panthers in 1995, played in 16 games with the Broncos last season, including four starts. He finished the season with 55 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble. He spent his first three years in the NFL with the Panthers before being traded to the Colts in 1998 and subsequently playing three seasons in Indianapolis.
Poole signed with the Broncos as a free agent before the 2001 season, but retired in camp and was placed on the reserved/left squad list and was out of football for the entire season.
The veteran has started 89-of-108 career games played. His career totals included 413 tackles, five sacks, 10 interceptions, six forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
