New England continues to add quality depth and competition wherever possible, agreeing to a one-year deal with guard Rich Tylski, according to the Boston Globe.
A starter at right guard for the last two seasons in Pittsburgh, Tylski will become the 14th offensive lineman on the Patriots roster when his deal is made official. In two years with the Steelers he started 26 games, including all 16 in 2000. Last season he had 10 starts, but only one of the final six games because of a rib injury. He also missed action early in the season with an ankle injury, but in the postseason he started against New England in the AFC Championship game.
The 6-4, 306-pound Tylski has started 62 of the 77 games he has played since 1996. He spent four seasons on the active roster in Jacksonville before signing with Pittsburgh before the 2000 season. He came into the league with New England as an undrafted rookie free agent out of Utah State in 1994 and spent the season on the Patriots practice squad. Tylski then spent 1995 on the Jaguars practice squad before cracking the lineup in 1996.
Tylski will compete with veterans Mike Compton and Joe Andruzzi, both of whom started every game for New England last season. The line is actually one of the more stable areas of the team, with every lineman from last season's roster and practice squad returning. Also in the mix at guard are veterans Kenyatta Jones and Grey Ruegamer; first-year players Drew Inzer, Stephen Neal; and NFL Europe allocations Mike Clare and Patrick Downey. Center Damien Woody also played guard last season in shotgun situations.
As of Thursday morning the Patriots could not confirm the deal.
