FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The New England Patriots announced today the club has re-signed veteran DB Brandon McGowan and LB Tracy White. Terms of the contracts were not disclosed. The Patriots also released LB Anthony Leonard.
McGowan, 27, signed with the Patriots in 2009 as a veteran of four NFL seasons, all with the Chicago Bears (2005-2008). The 5-11, 210 pound defensive back was originally signed by the Chicago Bears as a rookie free agent in 2005. In his first season with the Patriots in 2009, McGowan saw action in a career-high 16 games with 11 starting assignments at free safety and set career-highs with 66 total tackles, 10 passes defensed, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. He missed all of 2010 with a chest injury. McGowan has amassed 181 tackles, two interceptions, 10 passes defensed, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries over his six-year career.
White, 30, is a nine-year veteran with the Seattle Seahawks (2003-04), Jacksonville Jaguars (2005), Green Bay Packers (2006-2008) and Philadelphia Eagles (2008-2009). The 6-3, 230 pound linebacker originally signed by Seattle as a rookie free agent out of Howard in 2003. White came to New England in 2010 via trade from the Philadelphia Eagles for future draft considerations.
A standout special teams player throughout his career, White was a leading special teams performer for the Patriots in 2010, finishing second on the team by tying his career high with 18 special teams tackles for the Patriots in 2010.
Leonard, 23, was originally signed by the Patriots as a rookie free agent out of West Virginia on July 27.
