FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The New England Patriots re-signed free agent fullback Heath Evans today. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Evans, 27, played in six games with one start for the Patriots last season after being signed on Nov. 1, 2005. In those six games, Evans recorded 51 rushes for 192 yards, surpassing his previous career totals of 34 rushes for 108 yards in 67 career games prior to signing with New England. Over a two-game span that included victories over Miami (11/13) and New Orleans (11/20), Evans led the Patriots with 33 rushes for 158 yards (4.8 avg). Those two-game totals include a career-best 84-yard performance (on 17 carries) in the Patriots' 23-16 victory in Miami on Nov. 13, 2005.
The 6-foot, 250-pounder will enter his sixth NFL season in 2006 and has played in 73 career games with four starts for the Seattle Seahawks (2001-04), Miami Dolphins (2005) and Patriots (2005). The West Palm Beach, Fla. native played in six games for Miami last season before joining the Patriots, starting twice at fullback before being released by the Dolphins on Oct. 25.
In his career, Evans has run the ball 85 times for 300 yards and has caught 26 passes for 293 yards. He has also returned 13 kickoffs for 189 yards and has made 16 special teams tackles. The Auburn University product was drafted by the Seahawks in the third round (82nd overall) of the 2001 NFL Draft.
