No greetings for Holliday
He’s interested, but is the team?
PHILADELPHIA - A Holliday is on hold.
Nothing appears to be imminent between the Patriots and veteran defensive lineman Vonnie Holliday, whom the team hosted earlier this week.
Holliday, a free agent, visited the Patriots Sunday and Monday but left town Tuesday without a deal, according to a league source. The source said other teams are interested in Holliday, but that Holliday “without a doubt’’ would like to play for the Patriots.
The Patriots might be holding out for a decision from defensive end Kevin Carter. The 35-year-old Carter, a teammate of Holliday’s in Miami in 2005 and ’06, was hosted by the Patriots Aug. 4.
The team made Carter an offer and the two-time Pro Bowl selection, who spent the last two seasons in Tampa Bay, is now trying to decide between returning for a 15th season or retiring. According to Carter’s agent, Harold Lewis, the Patriots have not set a deadline for a decision by Carter, and Carter doesn’t have a deadline for himself.
“Ninety-nine percent of the time it’s about money, this situation is not,’’ said Lewis. “It’s just about would Kevin want to continue his career on the field or off the field. He is still as great as he was when he first came out. He is healthy as can be and as explosive. He is exactly what you want on and off the field. If I were making the decision for him, he’s playing for the Patriots this year and maybe next year.’’
Holliday, 33, played the last four seasons for the Dolphins.
Miami released the 11-year veteran in March after he declined to renegotiate his contract. Last season, Holliday had 46 tackles and 3 1/2 sacks.
Lewis played for the Eagles for six seasons before the Patriots sent a fifth-round pick to Philadelphia for Lewis and a seventh-round selection. Lewis had 127 catches for 1,699 yards and seven touchdowns with the Eagles.
Lewis already has made a positive impression on Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.
“I really love being around Greg,’’ said Brady. “He’s got a great sense of humor and he works very hard. He’s been out here every day also, and there are never any complaints. When he’s out there, he wants to do the best job he can do and he’s very competitive. I think he adds a different element to the offense than Randy [ Moss] or Wes [Welker]. He’s got very good all-around skills. He’s very smart. He’s going to be a real good football player for us.’’
Lewis is competing with Joey Galloway for the No. 3 receiver spot.
“Greg and Joey, as really the newcomers, have picked things up,’’ said Brady. “We demand a lot out of the receiver position, not just where to line up, but how to read coverages and adjust your route based on the coverage, so they’ve been really doing a great job of that.’’
“Guys will be rotating in and out but the base starting group will be in there for that duration,’’ said Reid.
That could have an effect on how long Patriots coach Bill Belichick leaves in his starters. Belichick said Tuesday that he has done it both ways in the past - kept his starters in the game until the other team’s starters are out or tested his reserves against the opponents’ starters.
