Patriots sign LB Brown

The Patriots made another move to bolster their linebacker corps, agreeing to a two-year deal with veteran Chad Brown.

The 34-year-old former Seahawk and Steeler went back and forth between the New Orleans Saints and the Patriots over the past 24 hours, but late yesterday informed Saints general manager Mickey Loomis he would sign with the New England. He is expected to earn a payout of about $1.5 million this season between salary and incentives.

The Patriots have also been negotiating with former Bears and Browns linebacker Warrick Holdman and Brown's former Seahawks teammate, Anthony Simmons. Both are outside linebackers.

Brown, along with Kansas City veteran Monty Beisel, could be the answer to losing veteran Roman Phifer, who was released, and the uncertainty of Tedy Bruschi's career after suffering a stroke in early February.

The Patriots will bring back Ted Johnson and they drafted Ryan Claridge, a 6-foot-2-inch, 260-pound linebacker from University of Nevada-Las Vegas, who could play inside.

The Patriots also added free agent linebacker Wesly Mallard, but he's expected to be a special teams player.

Also yesterday, the Patriots released guard Michael Rogers, who was signed as a rookie free agent April 30.