Injury-Prone White Wide Receivers? The Patriots Can't Get Enough of Them

Common sense be damned, the Patriots love a good deal. Apparently, they're also inclined to sign injury-prone white wide receivers in hopes of finding the next Wes Welker which is impossible. Today at practice, the media spotted former Colt Austin Collie who has signed a deal with New England. This comes on the heels of Danny Amendola (groin) and Rob Gronkowski (back/forearm) continuing to practice although the former only played Week 1 and Gronk has yet to appear in a game this season.

Honestly, I don't know what quack doctor (the Red Sox medical staff?) would clear Collie since he ruptured his patellar tendon last season but more importantly, he's dealt with numerous concussions over his short NFL career (4+ years). That's why he only played nine games in 2010 and just one last season in Indianapolis before he was released. San Francisco signed him but he was one of their final cuts in training camp this summer.

He showed plenty of promise with the Colts and Peyton Manning, hence why teams are still willing to take serious risks by signing him. In his rookie year (2009), he played all 16 games and hauled in 60 catches for 676 yards and seven touchdowns. He was poised for a monster season the next year as he piled up 58 catches for 649 yards and eight touchdowns but concussions curtailed his breakout season. In a full 2011 (16 games), he was limited to 54 catches for 514 yards and one touchdown.

I don't even expect Collie to be on the field Sunday (1, CBS) in Cincinnati, I feel like this is just to give Kenbrell Thompkins (shoulder) and Aaron Dobson (neck) some rest this week to heal their minor injuries. Plus, it allows the Pats the chance to get something out of a guy that is probably looking at his last NFL opportunity.

UPDATE 10/3: Vince Wilfork was placed on IR while tight end Zach Sudfeld was released. Don't be surprised if the undrafted rookie ends up on the practice squad where he can get better up to speed. It's clear in the first four games that we was over his head in the NFL.

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