Patriots Sign TE Bo Scaife, Cut Three Others

The Patriots need another body at tight end, so they went out and signed veteran Bo Scaife after working him out recently. The team also announced the release of three players; 2nd year DE Markell Carter, rookie TE Nick Melillo and rookie OL Jon Opperud.

The New England Patriots have signed veteran tight end Bo Scaife.

Scout first reported the Patriots' tryout for Scaife recently.

The Patriots also cut three players: former sixth-round outside linebacker Markell Carter,who spent last year on the Patriots' practice squad, tight end Nick Melillo, a rookie free agent from Kentucky, and undrafted rookie offensive lineman Jon Opperud, a former Seattle Seahawks rookie free agent. The Patriots' acquisition of Scaife follows their recent meeting with tight end Dallas Clark, who wound up signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as they traded Kellen Winslow to the Seattle Seahawks.

A former Tennessee Titans starter and franchise player, Scaife was with the Cincinnati Bengals last season. However, he registered no statistics due to a shoulder injury and spent the year on injured reserve.

Scaife, 31, is a former University of Texas standout drafted in the sixth round in 2005.

Scaife caught 36 passes for 318 yards and four touchdowns two seasons ago.

For his career, Scaife has caught 251 passes for 2,383 yards and 12 touchdowns.

He caught a career-high 58 passes for 581 yards in 2008.