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LB Appelby agrees to deal with Patriots

Email|Link|Comments (13) Posted by Mike Reiss, Globe Staff April 27, 2009 02:25 PM

Antonio Appelby, an inside linebacker from the University of Virginia, has agreed to a rookie free agent deal with the Patriots, his agent, Sanat Shah, confirmed today.

The Virginian-Pilot first reported Appelby's agreement.

Appelby (6-3, 243) figures to vie for time at inside linebacker in the Patriots' 3-4 scheme. Virginia is one of the few college programs running a 3-4, under former Patriots assistant Al Groh, so Appelby might be a bit ahead of the learning curve.

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13 comments so far...

A lot of people think this will be the Gary Guyton of this UDFA class. I'm one of them

Posted by Andy M April 27, 09 02:55 PM

Lets get Brian Toal in for a tryout. In addition to being a good ILB he can play FB and special teams. If it was not for a busted leg he would have been drafted yesterday.

Posted by P4747 April 27, 09 03:14 PM

Type your comment here...hey Mike - great job all the way around, covering the actual draft, plus the pre & post details.

...

3 THUMBS UP MIKE!!!

by the way - any news on veteran LB help coming aboard, or are we going with what we have & some UFA's?

Posted by stop Newport, RI corruption April 27, 09 03:16 PM

He'll fight with Alexander and Guyton if he makes it to training camp, a nice pick up for now.

Posted by Craig April 27, 09 03:17 PM

I agree with P4747, BB should get Brian Toal in for a workout. He is the type of player that BB would fall in love with since he can play multiple positions (LB/FB)and would play a major role in our speacial teams. Like P4747 said, if not for injuries he would have been drafted yesterday.

Posted by PIPster86 April 27, 09 03:48 PM

Good move here, I agree w/Andy M this kid has a shot.

Mike,
Will you be providing a complete list of UDFA for the Pats at some point?

Posted by Nikos April 27, 09 03:59 PM

As already mentioned like last year with Guyton & Redd, another great signing of Appelby. Here is another name -Zach Potter DE from Nebraska, 6'7" 280.

Posted by L.C.Divita April 27, 09 04:20 PM

This kid has a shot but let's not get carried away. The Pats usually carry 5 OLB's and 4 ILB's and as the roster currently stands we have:Thomas, Woods, Crable, Banta-Cain and Redd on the outside and Mayo, Bruschi, Guyton, McKenzie inside. Of course, like as w/Guyton and others in the past, if he earns a spot BB will find a way to get him on the roster but let's not get crazy, it's only April 27th.

Posted by Nikos April 27, 09 05:13 PM

to mike ,chris,and the globe staff. thanks!!

Posted by paul in me April 27, 09 06:30 PM

what are the chances bruschi gets cut before opening day? seems like too many LBs with great upside to carry an old and slow, albeit great guy.

Posted by adam April 27, 09 09:21 PM

I don't think they will cut Bruschi, but it's time to move on from him. He could not cover people down the field during 07. He's worse and worse every year, so hopefully a young person takes his playing time.

Posted by #9 April 28, 09 09:33 AM

If and when Bruschi and the Pats part company, it will be he that will make the announcement. I believe,and I personally hope, that the Pats would not want to be the "bad guys" when that situation occurs.

Posted by Mike Allen April 28, 09 04:47 PM

After reading about Appleby's position, size, speed, experience with the 3-4, and the college he played for. Why was this kid not drafted ?. He seems better than half the stiffs BB drafted. I can't see any picks after round 3 making the team. BB does a better job picking rookie free agents than using draft picks.

Posted by Hector April 30, 09 01:26 AM

DO NOT HIT THE SUBMIT BUTTON MORE THAN ONCE!

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Mike Reiss, Christopher L. Gasper and the rest of the Globe team provide regular updates –and a behind-the-scenes look– on the daily happenings of the Patriots.

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