FOXBORO, Mass. – The New England Patriots announced the signing of free agent linebacker Chad Cascadden and seventh-round draft choice, running back Patrick Pass, today. Terms of the contracts were not announced.
Cascadden, 28, totaled 82 tackles, including eight sacks, in 60 games over his five-year career. He added 55 special teams tackles, four fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles. He was placed on injured reserve by the Jets on Oct. 5, 1999 after he suffered a season-ending knee injury at Denver, Oct. 3. He was later released by New York on March 2, 2000.
The 6-foot-1-inch, 240-pound linebacker originally signed with the N.Y. Jets as an undrafted free agent out of Wisconsin in 1995 and finished second on the team with 21 special teams tackles. Cascadden started eight games at outside linebacker in the second half of the 1996 season and recorded a single-season career high with 44 tackles (30 solo). In 1997, he played in 15 games and continued to be one the Jets top special teamers, totaling 13 special teams tackles and recovered a fumble. He established a career-high in 1998, with five sacks and added two more in the playoffs, sacking John Elway twice in the 1998 AFC Championship Game. He also totaled 23 tackles, four passes defensed and two fumble recoveries, one he returned for 23-yards and a touchdown at Miami.
Pass, 22, was drafted by the New England Patriots in the seventh round (239th overall) of the 2000 NFL draft. He was a versatile player at Georgia, performing as a running back, pass catcher, punt returner, kickoff returner and even completed three-of-five pass attempts during his career. He earned four letters at Georgia (1996-99).
The 5-foot-11-inch, 215-pounder totaled 1,022 yards rushing on 221 carries (4.6 avg.), including five touchdowns and also caught 35 passes for 435 yards (12.4 avg.) and two touchdowns. Pass recorded 26 kickoff returns for 562 yards (21.6 avg.) and 15 punt returns for 136 yards (9.1 avg.) during his college career.
