FOXBOROUGH - The Patriots and veteran punter Scott Player have agreed to terms on a contract for undisclosed terms.
Player visited Gillette Stadium during the week, although he likely won't join the team until May 1 at the earliest, according to his agent, Vann McElroy.
The 38-year-old Player, distinguishable because of his single-bar facemask and blond Fu Manchu, has spent the majority of his NFL career with the Cardinals (1998-2006).
He punted in three games last season for the Browns as an injury replacement for Dave Zastudil, including against the Patriots at Gillette Stadium (5 attempts, 46.2-yard average, 34.4 net average, 2 touchbacks, 1 inside the 20).
Chris Hanson, 31, punted for the Patriots last season and is under contract for 2008. Both Hanson and Player have experience as holders on field goal attempts.
The Patriots hosted University of Texas tight end Jermichael Finley on a predraft visit yesterday, according to a league source. The 6-foot-5-inch, 243-pound Finley enters the draft after his redshirt sophomore season. He totaled 45 receptions for 575 yards and 2 touchdowns last season and is projected as a high second-round draft choice by some prognosticators. With only three tight ends on the roster - Benjamin Watson, David Thomas, and Stephen Spach - the Patriots are likely to add another through the draft or free agency . . . Free agent defensive end Darrion Scott, the Vikings' third-round draft choice in 2004, visited the Patriots yesterday. The 26-year-old Scott, who was cited for misdemeanor marijuana possession in December, has played in 48 games (28 starts), but was limited to just four last season because of a fractured foot. The Ohio State product had his best seasons in 2005 and 2006, totaling 104 tackles and 9.5 sacks.
MIKE REISS
