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Stallworth analysis

ANALYSIS

The Patriots hosted receiver Donte' Stallworth at Gillette Stadium on Tuesday, and here is how we see the situation playing out:

From the Patriots' perspective, Stallworth represents a low-risk, high-reward type of signing in the form of a one-year, incentive-filled deal. We don't see the Patriots going long-term with Stallworth based on his injury history (nagging hamstring problems), among other things.

The question is whether Stallworth, who entered free agency thinking big bucks but has initially experienced a lukewarm market, wants to go that route.

As of now, the market for Stallworth includes the Eagles, Patriots, Titans and Dolphins.

From the Patriots' side, they have one asset that the other clubs don't have -- quarterback Tom Brady. That is something the team can sell Stallworth, that catching passes from Brady can help revive his market value (in 2008) more so than catching passes from Donovan McNabb (Eagles), Vince Young (Titans) or Daunte Culpepper (Dolphins).

So if Stallworth is willing to take a short-term, one-year type of deal, the Patriots are in a solid spot. But if he's looking for more of a long-term commitment, he'll probably wind up elsewhere.

One other factor to consider is the Tennessee angle, as Stallworth played his college ball at Tennessee. The Titans lost Drew Bennett in free agency and they might counter that departure with a Stallworth acquisition that would create somewhat of a buzz in Tennessee.

WELKER CONFERENCE CALL: New Patriots receiver Wes Welker is scheduled to hold a conference call with the media at 11:30 a.m. today. We'll plan on passing along some notes shortly after the call.

BANTA-CAIN FOLLOW-UP: Outside linebacker Tully Banta-Cain spoke with the San Francisco 49ers' team-operated website about joining the 49ers.