Back in the days when Tom Brady was still an obscure fourth-string quarterback, the former sixth-round pick made a pitch for the Patriots to add his teammate at Michigan, David Terrell, in the upcoming draft. Nearly four years later, it looks like Brady is getting his wish.
The Patriots have reportedly agreed in principle with Terrell on a one-year deal, which would make the former Wolverines star the team's second free agent acquisition at wide receiver since they declined to pick up Troy Brown's option last month. ESPN.com and the MetroWest Daily News reported that has Terrell signed with New England.
Despite Brady's praise at the end of the 2000 season, the Patriots opted instead to select defensive lineman Richard Seymour with the sixth overall pick in the 2001 draft. Two spots later, the Bears chose Terrell. The move has worked out perfectly for the Patriots as Seymour has enjoyed an All-Pro career while Terrell has struggled.
Terrell, a 6-3, 212-pound deep threat, has been inconsistent during his four-year career with Chicago. He caught 34 passes for 415 yards and four touchdowns as a rookie, but then played just five games in 2002 after breaking a bone in his foot. He bounced back to grab 43 passes in 2003 and added 42 last year, but those totals aren't what is expected of the eighth overall pick in the draft.
Off-field issues have also dogged the talented wideout during his career. According to published reports, he was arrested last November for six traffic charges after being pulled over for reckless driving and driving with a suspended license. Evidently, the Bears had enough of Terrell's inconsistency and decided to let him go after signing former Carolina receiver Muhsin Muhammad as a free agent last month.
For his career, Terrell has played in 52 of 64 possible games, plus one postseason game, with 128 catches for 1,602 yards with nine touchdowns.
