The 2012 NFL schedule for the New England Patriots has just been released, with the team opening at the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, September 9. What follows are the top three storylines coming out of the schedule.

Thanksgiving with the Jets

One of the more unique games on the schedule this year is a Thanksgiving Day matchup against Rex Ryan and the New York Jets. It is good to finally see a game worth watching on Thanksgiving, and I am glad the NFL put two division rivals together for what should be a great game. It should be interesting to see how the Jets’ offense will stack up against New England’s defense, especially when it comes to snaps taken by Tim Tebow.

Difficult Finishing Stretch

The most difficult stretch on the relatively manageable schedule for the Patriots in 2012 is from weeks 12 to 15, and even that should be favorable for the team. During that stretch the Patriots will be playing the Jets, Miami Dolphins, Houston Texans, and San Francisco 49ers; the favorable aspect of it is that New England will get both the Texans and 49ers at home, in what will likely be freezing temperatures in the middle of December.

Featured Matchup: Baltimore Ravens Week 3

The most important matchup to watch for the Patriots is week 3 against the Ravens. It is arguably going to be the most difficult team they will face in the regular season, and New England will be on the road as well, making it that much more difficult. With the additions of Brandon Lloyd and Anthony Gonzalez to go along with Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez, and Chad Johnson/Ochocinco, the key for the Patriots will be attacking the Raven’s secondary, which won’t be an easy task to do by any means.

New England Patriots 2012 Schedule

1 – at Tennessee Titans September 9

2 – vs. Arizona Cardinals September 16

3 – at Baltimore Ravens September 23

4 – at Buffalo Bills September 30

5 – vs. Denver Broncos October 7

6 – at Seattle Seahawks October 14

7 – vs. New York Jets October 21

8 – at St. Louis Rams October 28

9 – Bye

10 – vs. Buffalo Bills November 11

11 – vs. Indianapolis Colts November 18

12 – at New York Jets November 22

13 – at Miami Dolphins December 2

14 – vs. Houston Texans December 10

15 – vs. San Francisco 49ers December 16

16 – at Jacksonville Jaguars December 23

17 – vs. Miami Dolphins December 30

Ryan Kekoufski is a lifelong New England Patriots fan. He covers sports for the Yahoo! Contributor Network, and currently resides in Virginia.

The NFL announced the 2012 regular season schedule last night and the New England Patriots will be featured in at least four nationally televised games during the regular season, including a Thanksgiving-night game at the New York Jets.

The game will be the Patriots’ fifth Thanksgiving game and will be broadcast on NBC.

The Patriots will be featured in three other prime time games, including two NBC Sunday night contests. The first is on Sept. 23, when the Patriots will travel to Baltimore for a rematch of last year’s AFC championship game.

The Patriots will close out October by traveling to London to play the St. Louis Rams at Wembley Stadium as part of the NFL’s International Series.

Sunday, Sept. 9……….at Tennessee……………..1:00 p.m. ET……..WBZ……………CBS
Sunday, Sept. 16……..Arizona………………………1:00 p.m. ET……..WFXT…………..FOX
Sunday, Sept. 23……..at Baltimore……………….8:20 p.m. ET……..WHDH…………NBC
Sunday, Sept. 30……..at Buffalo……………………1:00 p.m. ET……..WBZ……………CBS
Sunday, Oct. 7…………Denver………………………..4:15 p.m. ET…….WBZ……………CBS
Sunday, Oct. 14………at Seattle……………………4:05 p.m. ET……..WBZ……………CBS
Sunday, Oct. 21……….New York Jets…………….4:15 p.m. ET……..WBZ……………CBS
Sunday, Oct. 28………at St. Louis (London)……1:00 p.m. ET……..WBZ……………CBS
Sunday, Nov. 4…………BYE WEEK
Sunday, Nov. 11……….Buffalo………………………..1:00 p.m. ET……..WBZ…………..CBS
Sunday, Nov. 18……….Indianapolis………………..1:00 p.m. ET……..WBZ…………..CBS*
Thursday, Nov. 22…….at New York Jets………….8:20 p.m. ET…….WHDH………..NBC
Sunday, Dec. 2………….at Miami……………………..1:00 p.m. ET……..WBZ………….CBS*
Monday, Dec. 10……….Houston……………………..8:30 p.m. ET……..WCVB………..ESPN
Sunday, Dec. 16………..San Francisco…………….8:20 p.m. ET……..WHDH………..NBC*
Sunday, Dec. 23………..at Jacksonville……………1:00 p.m. ET……..WBZ…………..CBS*
Sunday, Dec. 30………..Miami…………………………1:00 p.m. ET……..WBZ…………..CBS*

The Patriots will be featured in at least four nationally televised games during the regular season, including a Thanksgiving night game at the New York Jets.The schedule showed that the Patriots will also close out the month of October by traveling to London, England, to play the St. Louis Rams at Wembley Stadium on Oct. 28 as part of the NFL’s International Series.

The Patriots’ Dec. 10 Monday Night Football game at home against Houston will be broadcast live on WCVB Channel 5.

Read More: New England Patriots

The New England Patriots released their 2012 NFL Schedule on Tuesday night after it was revealed by NFL Network and NFL.com at 7 p.m.

Here’s how the Pats 2012 schedule stacks up:

Week 1, September 9th, 1:00 p.m.: Patriots at Titans (CBS)

Week 2, September 16th, 1:00 p.m.: Cardinals at Patriots (FOX)

Week 3, September 23rd, 8:20 p.m.: Patriots at Ravens (NBC)

Week 4, September 30th, 1:00 p.m.: Patriots at Bills (CBS)

Week 5, October 7th, 4:15 p.m., Broncos at Patriots (CBS)

Week 6, October 14th, 4:05 p.m.: Patriots at Seahawaks (CBS)

Week 7, October 21st, 4:15 p.m.: Jets at Patriots (CBS)

Week 8, October 28th, 1:00 p.m.: Patriots at Rams (CBS)

Week 9 BYE

Week 10, November 11th, 1:00 p.m.: Bills at Patriots (CBS)

Week 11, November 18th, 1:00 p.m.: Colts at Patriots (CBS)

Week 12, November 22nd, 8:20 p.m.: Patriots at Jets (NBC)

Week 13, December 2nd, 1:00 p.m.: Patriots at Dolphins (CBS)

Week 14, December 10th, 8:30 p.m.: Texans at Patriots (ESPN)

Week 15, December 16th, 8:20 p.m.: 49ers at Patriots (NBC)

Week 16, December 23rd, 1:00 p.m.: Patriots at Jaguars (CBS)

Week 17, December 30th, 1:00 p.m.: Dolphins at Patriots (CBS)

The Pats only have to make one cross-country trip this season to play Seattle. They get to host the 49ers, the defending NFC West champ. The Bye week comes in about the middle of the season which gives New England an opportunity to break the season up into two chunks. The Patriots will play the Jets on Thanksgiving Day and have a Monday Night Football game against the Texans on December 10.

For more New England Patriots coverage, visit our team page and blog, Pats Pulpit, which also should have full analysis of the schedule.

AP Photo/Michael DwyerNew England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, center, walks on the field as players Dan Koppen, right, and Tom Brady, second from right, take part in a drill during NFL football training camp, Friday, July 30, 2010, in Foxborough, Mass.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — The New England Patriots have re-signed center Dan Koppen and signed first-year placekicker Chris Koepplin.

The 32-year-old Koppen is a veteran of nine seasons with the Patriots, but missed all but the opening game of 2011 with a left knee injury. He has started 120 of 121 regular-season games and 14 postseason games and has been a steady blocker for Tom Brady since joining the team in 2003.

In New England’s undefeated regular season of 2007, Koppen made the Pro Bowl.

Koepplin, 26, was in training camp with the Patriots last year and was cut at the end of August. He played at Massachusetts in 2006 and 2007 and also has played Arena Football.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) The New England Patriots have re-signed center Dan Koppen and signed first-year placekicker Chris Koepplin.

The 32-year-old Koppen is a veteran of nine seasons with the Patriots, but missed all but the opening game of 2011 with a left knee injury. He has started 120 of 121 regular-season games and 14 postseason games and has been a steady blocker for Tom Brady since joining the team in 2003.

In New England’s undefeated regular season of 2007, Koppen made the Pro Bowl.

Koepplin, 26, was in training camp with the Patriots last year and was cut at the end of August. He played at Massachusetts in 2006 and 2007 and also has played Arena Football.

(Getty Images)

It was our pleasure to talk with New England Patriots receiver Wes Welker recently, especially given the promotion he’s doing with two other famous NFL players — Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews and Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware (who we’ll be talking with very soon … stay tuned). While most athlete endorsements focus on the appearance of physical dominance, Welker, Matthews, and Ware recently took part in something called “The Big Try-On” for … Depend undergarments.

Yes, you read that right.

In truth, it’s an interesting deal for an important cause. Per the press release, “The Great American Try-On” raises awareness and offers confidence to the many Americans living with bladder control issues. All three players have tried on a pair of the new Depend Real Fit briefs under their uniforms to show that you can be as active as you want to be while wearing them. Their participation in The Great American Try-On supports The V Foundation for Cancer Research’s mission to find a cure for cancers — specifically prostate cancer, a leading cause of bladder control issues in men. They’re also encouraging others to participate by visiting TheGreatAmericanTryOn.com, and we would encourage you to do the same.

Welker helped us transition from his part in the promotion to more hardcore football talk with some … interesting stories about certain inevitabilities that may occur when one is on a football field and  nature calls. This is Part 1 of the interview; we’ll have the conclusion up later today.

Shutdown Corner: I wanted to start with “The Great American Try-On” that you and Clay Matthews and DeMarcus Ware are doing — this has to be the most unconventional promotion I’ve ever seen involving NFL players. How did you get involved, and what was the appeal to you?

Wes Welker: Depend approached us about taking part in the Great American Try-On, and at first we were a little sensitive about it — it’s about diapers. But after they started talking about all the things that people really go through, and all the bladder control issues that people have with prostate cancer and other things like that, we decided that it would be a great thing to take part in. Not only that, but the donations that have been made to the V Foundation have been over $100,000. So, it’s been a great deal all the way around. We’ve done a lot with it, and it’s been really cool to see. We really enjoyed it and had fun with it.

[ Also: Warren Sapp filed for bankruptcy to avoid going to jail ]

SC: I think it’s great, because there are certain things that aren’t talked about, or made fun of when they are talked about, and that can hinder awareness of real problems. When athletes at your level bring that awareness to it, it seems to change perceptions over time.

WW: Yeah, I think so. And having us actually physically trying them on, and seeing how they fit, and everything else — you can really hardly tell you’re wearing them at all. We wore them underneath football pants and everything else, and it really is a comfortable fit. We definitely had some fun with this whole deal. It’s really been cool to see how people have changed their thoughts on this.

SC: Is this the kind of thing that could solve that noted sideline problem of having to go during a game — all of a sudden, you see three low-level assistants surround a player with towels to hide the player from view, and you know exactly what’s happening?

WW: [Laughs] Yeah — I joked about that — wearing them before games, because I’m always over there, peeing on the sidelines. Might as well just throw these bad boys on and let ‘er rip.

SC: Well, alright then! Moving from that to the Patriots’ 2011 season as smoothly as we are able — it was another great season for you guys, and you came very close to getting that Super Bowl ring. I wanted to start with the change in your offense from when you came to New England in 2007 and it was more of a spread-style offense with you and Randy Moss, to the two-tight sets, and the more fast-break offense with Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski. How has that change been for you, and for Tom Brady, and for the offensive structure?

WW: I think the change in process was really just going with our best guys — the guys we feel are our best players, and really trying to get them out there. Get them moving around in different scenarios and making plays. Our two tight ends are great assets to us, and we try to keep them out there as much as possible. I think that’s why you have to go at it, where in the past, our receivers were a strength for us. Not that they aren’t now, but that’s just kind of where we are as an offense, and the guys just change in that way. It’s been really good.

SC: Now, while you’ve been doing your promotion, Gronk has been throwing watermelons on the ground, and smashing Megatron figures, in a transparent attempt to get the Madden cover. His on-field role is fairly defined, but this seems like a pretty unconventional character off the field.

WW: Off the field … yeah … that’s just Gronk being Gronk. He’s just one of those guys — he’s funny, and he’s just being himself. We always tell him, ‘Dude, don’t change for anything.’ It’s pretty comical to watch. I encourage it a little too much, I must admit.

SC: On the field, it helps that you have a fairly decent quarterback … name of Brady … he seems pretty good. But what is it about that offense that allows Gronkowski to flourish in ways we’ve never really seen any tight end in any offense before?

WW: Really, the guy’s just a beast. He’s kind of a freak out there. He’s so big and so strong, he catches the ball really well land runs really well. And, believe it or not, he’s a pretty intelligent guy. He does a good job of being in the plays for the coaches, and he’s so physically gifted, that he’s able to make some plays for us.

SC: The relationship between you and Tom Brady — there’s only one season that you haven’t caught at least 100 passes with the Patriots. When you develop that kind of connection, at what point does everything become sort of second nature, and you can change a route with just a look, and communicate at another level?

(Getty Images)

WW: I feel like it’s always advancing. We’re always trying to find new ways to attack defenses — it’s always evolving as we look for different things to do. Sometimes, I think we think almost more than we need to, but we’re always looking for new routes, and new ways to get open — get the ball, and go make some plays.

[ Related: Chad Ochocinco slashes pay to remain with Patriots ]

SC: Chad Ochocinco had that first disappointing season with the Patriots, whereas you came in and hit the ground running from day one in 2007. Why did he struggle, and what will be different for him in 2012?

WW: Going into last year, we were in a lockout, and we had no offseason to put anything together. I think that’s going to help, having [OTAs] this year. Just being out there and hearing the calls and not just thinking about where to line up. [He'll be able to] think about the routes, and what he’s going to run and things like that. Having a year of experience in the system — I mean, he ran the same system in Cincinnati for the last 10-11 years, whatever it was, so to come to a whole different system and hear a whole new set of play calls … it’s different, and it’s hard to get used to after all those years, You really almost have to re-learn everything as if you were a rookie.

SC: Was that the case for you when you went from Miami to New England? Because you came in, and you caught 112 balls in what may have been the most explosive offense in NFL history.

WW: Yeah … I feel that we were a little more simplified that year. If you look back at 2007,  it was me, Randy [Moss], Donte [Stallworth], Jabar [Gaffney] had just half a season the year before, so we had a lot of guys who had just come into the system. So we were kind of on ground level at that point. Chad came in at a point where me and Deion [Branch] had been in the offense for quite a while, and we were a little more evolved. It was different scenarios, different places, different times.

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will open their preseason with a game at Miami against the Dolphins, followed by home contests against the Titans and Patriots and a road trip to Washington.

The Bucs released their four-game exhibition schedule today and will kick off against the Dolphins between Aug. 9-13. Exact dates will come later this month when the NFL reveals the full regular-season schedule.

Below is the preseason schedule and estimated dates:

Week 1: (August 9-13) at Dolphins

Week 2: (August 16-20) Titans

Week 3: (August 23-26) Patriots

Week 4: (August 29-30) at Redskins

The New England Patriots won eight of the last nine AFC East championships, missing only when Tom Brady was lost for the 2008 season. That should tell you something.

If Brady plays, everyone else plays for second place.

That’s comforting news for a club that just won the AFC, but the Patriots have holes that must be plugged. That’s the bad news. The good: They’ll have the opportunity. They have four of the first 62 picks in this year’s draft.

QB: There’s nothing wrong with Brady other than advancing age. The guy turns 35 this season, is still at the top of his game and is the reason the Patriots always are a threat to win the Super Bowl. Brady has been the starter for 10 seasons (he was hurt after one game in 2008), and the Patriots went to the Super Bowl in five of those years. Follow the bread crumbs, people. The guy is one of the game’s best quarterbacks ever, and as long as he’s upright the Patriots have nothing to worry about.

RB: With the departure of Ben Jarvus Green-Ellis, the Patriots have … what? Danny Woodhead? Stevan Ridley? Ridley, who averaged over 5 yards a carry last season, looks like the starter here, with Woodhead in a familiar role as relief pitcher. But I wouldn’t forget about Shane Vereen, the second-round draft pick who was bothered by a hamstring injury most of 2011. The Patriots are thin here, but they have been in recent years. These guys throw the ball and run it effectively when they have to — which isn’t often. Nevertheless, they’re looking for help at this position.

WR: For the second straight season, the Patriots tried to operate without someone who could stretch the field, and for the second straight season it hurt them in the playoffs. Now they’ve added Brandon Lloyd, and maybe he’s the solution. He’s not a burner but can get behind the secondary. Anthony Gonzalez and Donte Stallworth are additions, too, with Gonzalez the more significant — provided, of course, he can stay healthy — and Stallworth another possibility as a deep threat. With the re-signing of Deion Branch, the restructuring of Chad Ochocinco’s contract and the retention of Wes Welker, the Patriots have options — lots of options — where they did not a year ago.

TE: Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez combined for 169 catches, 2237 yards and 24 touchdowns. Any questions? Well, yes, one: How does free-agent Daniel Fells fit in. Answer: He could serve as the second tight end if Hernandez is moved to wide receiver. I’m not saying it happens; I’m just saying it’s a possibility.

OL: Veteran guard Brian Waters played better than anyone expected, but he might retire. So where does that leave the Patriots? In better shape than you think. First of all, they’re set at tackle, with Sebastian Vollmer, Matt Light and Nate Solder. There is no guarantee Light returns, either, but let’s say he doesn’t. The Pats are set with Vollmer, who can start on the right side, and Solder, last year’s first-round draft pick. Logan Mankins is a franchise left guard, but he’s coming off a torn ACL that may affect his availability for the coming season. Maybe that’s why the Patriots signed Robert Gallery, better suited as a guard than tackle. The bigger question is: What happens at center? Dan Connolly looks like the starter there, but he could move to right guard if Dan Koppen is OK. If not, there could be a vacancy on the right side New England has to fill.

DL: The Patriots’ top two pass rushers last year were Mark Anderson and Andre Carter, and they may lose both. Anderson already is gone to Buffalo, and Carter is a free agent coming off a season-ending injury. Subtract them, and you subtract half of the team’s 40 sacks. Vince Wilfork and Kyle Love are solid inside, but the Patriots could be vulnerable on the outside. But that’s where free-agent acquisition Jonathan Fanene comes in. He can play inside or out and can rush the passer. He can also defend the run … provided he’s healthy. When he was OK the past two of the past three years he had 12.5 sacks, but he played more than 60 percent of the snaps only once (2009) in his career. Former Raider Trevor Scott could be in the mix, too, but he could translate as an outside linebacker, too.

LB: With the potential departures of the Patriots’ top two pass rushers, there’s a feeling that New England could go back to a 3-4 setup — which would move Scott to outside linebacker. No matter who plays there New England must be able to pressure the pocket from the outside, and maybe Scott is that guy; maybe not. My guess: Not. Rob Ninkovich and Jerod Mayo are the outside backers in New England’s 4-3 scheme, with Mayo the better of the two. Ninkovich had a solid season, but he’s more of an overachiever than a rising star. Brandon Spikes anchors the middle, and while he wasn’t spectacular, he did excel late in the season, particularly in the playoffs.

DB: There were holes galore here, and opponents took advantage — one reason New England ranked 31st vs. the pass. Cornerback Devin McCourty took such a giant step backward that by the end of the season he was taking turns at safety in certain packages. But, then again, everyone seemed to be, including wide receiver Julian Edelman. I mention Edelman because some think he might have a future as a defensive back. Nobody knows where McCourty’s next stop is — cornerback or safety –and Ras-I-Dowling’s return might factor into the decision. He was lost for last season but could be the second or third cornerback here. Kyle Arrington made a lot of interceptions, but he also made a lot of big mistakes — and it’s a tossup which need is bigger, cornerback or safety. All I know is that Patrick Chung is the only reliable safety and could use help — thought Sterling Moore was a pleasant surprise, especially in the playoffs. Newcomer Steve Gregory adds depth but little more.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Patriots announced the signing of free agent receiver Brandon Lloyd on Tuesday.

Lloyd, 30, is a nine-year veteran and came to terms with the team last week. He has played in 112 games, catching 311 passes for 4,784 yards and 31 touchdowns. His best season was in 2010 with Denver when he made the Pro Bowl after leading the NFL with 1,448 yards receiving.

The Patriots also re-signed offensive lineman Dan Connolly, and announced two more free-agent deals, with defensive end Jonathan Fanene and tight end Daniel Fells.

Lloyd joins a new-look receiving corps in New England. On Saturday, the Patriots signed former Colts wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez, and on Monday, they added Donte’ Stallworth, who spent one season in New England in 2007 when the team went 18-0 before losing the Super Bowl to the New York Giants.

Stallworth had 46 catches during that regular season with the Patriots. He had 17 receptions with Cleveland in 2008, two with Baltimore in 2010 and 22 with Washington last year. He was suspended for the 2009 season by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell for violating the league’s personal conduct policy for a DUI vehicular manslaughter charge.

The receiver signings could spell the end of Chad Ochocinco’s career with the team. He signed a two-year contract before last season but struggled trying to learn the offence and finished with 15 catches in 15 regular-season games.

For Lloyd, this is just another stop in a journeyman career. He has also played for the 49ers, Redskins, Bears and Rams, and was traded by Denver to St. Louis during last season. He caught 51 passes for 683 yards and five touchdowns for the Rams.

Connolly, 29, is a veteran of seven NFL seasons, and has been with the Patriots since 2007. While with New England, he has started at both guard and centre. Last season, Connolly played in 13 regular-season games with 11 starts at centre. He also started at centre in all three post-season games.

Connolly is in the history books, too. He set an NFL record for the longest kickoff return by an offensive lineman with a 71-yarder against Green Bay on Dec. 19, 2010.

Fanene, 30, is a veteran of seven NFL seasons, all with Cincinnati, and Fells, 28, has played for Atlanta (2006), St. Louis (2008-10) and Denver (2011) in a five-year career.

New England also released linebacker Christian Cox.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) The New England Patriots announced the signing of free agent receiver Brandon Lloyd on Tuesday.

Lloyd, 30, is a nine-year veteran and came to terms with the team last week. He has played in 112 games, catching 311 passes for 4,784 yards and 31 touchdowns. His best season was in 2010 with Denver when he made the Pro Bowl after leading the NFL with 1,448 yards receiving.

The Patriots also re-signed offensive lineman Dan Connolly, and announced two more free-agent deals, with defensive end Jonathan Fanene and tight end Daniel Fells.

Lloyd joins a new-look receiving corps in New England. On Saturday, the Patriots signed former Colts wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez, and on Monday, they added Donte’ Stallworth, who spent one season in New England in 2007 when the team went 18-0 before losing the Super Bowl to the New York Giants.

Stallworth had 46 catches during that regular season with the Patriots. He had 17 receptions with Cleveland in 2008, two with Baltimore in 2010 and 22 with Washington last year. He was suspended for the 2009 season by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell for violating the league’s personal conduct policy for a DUI vehicular manslaughter charge.

The receiver signings could spell the end of Chad Ochocinco’s career with the team. He signed a two-year contract before last season but struggled trying to learn the offense and finished with 15 catches in 15 regular-season games.

For Lloyd, this is just another stop in a journeyman career. He has also played for the 49ers, Redskins, Bears and Rams, and was traded by Denver to St. Louis during last season. He caught 51 passes for 683 yards and five touchdowns for the Rams.

Connolly, 29, is a veteran of seven NFL seasons, and has been with the Patriots since 2007. While with New England, he has started at both guard and center. Last season, Connolly played in 13 regular-season games with 11 starts at center. He also started at center in all three postseason games.

Connolly is in the history books, too. He set an NFL record for the longest kickoff return by an offensive lineman with a 71-yarder against Green Bay on Dec. 19, 2010.

Fanene, 30, is a veteran of seven NFL seasons, all with Cincinnati, and Fells, 28, has played for Atlanta (2006), St. Louis (2008-10) and Denver (2011) in a five-year career.

New England also released linebacker Christian Cox.

The New England Patriots are stocking up on wide receivers who have experience in their complex offensive system.

A person with knowledge of the negotiations said yesterday that wide receiver Donté Stallworth has agreed to a one-year contract to return to the Patriots.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak on the matter.

The Patriots also reportedly reached agreement last week with Brandon Lloyd, who played for current Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels when he was head coach of the Denver Broncos in 2009 and the first 12 games in 2010. The Patriots have not officially announced signing Lloyd.

Meanwhile, Michael Lombardi of NFL.com reported that the Patriots signed veteran offensive lineman Robert Gallery.

The 31-year-old Gallery started 12 games at left guard for the Seahawks last season; prior to that he spent seven years with Oakland.

Gallery, listed at 6-7, 325 pounds, was the second overall pick in the 2004 draft out of Iowa, where he played for former Bill Belichick assistant Kirk Ferentz. When he was drafted, Gallery was a tackle, but has since been kicked inside.

Stallworth spent one season with the Patriots in 2007 when they went 18-0 before losing the Super Bowl to the New York Giants. He had 46 catches during the regular season. He had 17 receptions with Cleveland in 2008, two with Baltimore in 2010 and 22 with Washington last year.

He was suspended for the 2009 season by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell for violating the league’s personal conduct policy for a DUI vehicular manslaughter charge.

New England also has signed wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez, formerly of the Indianapolis Colts.

All three moves could spell the end of Chad Ochocinco’s career with the team. He signed a two-year contract before last season but struggled trying to learn the offense and finished with 15 catches in 15 regular-season games. The Patriots also have Deion Branch and Wes Welker, but neither is the deep threat they lacked last season.

Welker is a free agent, but was given the franchise tag and would bring compensation to the Patriots if another team signs him.

The Patriots announced yesterday the signing of two free agents: defensive end Trevor Scott from the Oakland Raiders and cornerback Marquice Cole from the New York Jets.

Scott, Oakland’s sixth-round draft choice out of Buffalo in 2008, had 13 1/2 sacks in 58 games, including 16 starts, in four seasons with the Raiders.

Cole, who spent the last three seasons with the Jets, was undrafted coming out of Northwestern in 2007. He signed as a rookie free agent with Oakland, then moved on to Tennessee and New Orleans. In 37 games, including one start, he has two interceptions, including a 35-yard touchdown return.

Jets sign safety Landry

LaRon Landry is bringing his bone-jarring hits to Rex Ryan’s defense.

The free-agent safety signed a one-year deal with the Jets, filling one of New York’s most pressing needs.

With starter Eric Smith the only experienced safety on the roster, the Jets focused on addressing the position in free agency. Landry visited with New York on Sunday, and had a number of other teams interested in him despite finishing last season for Washington on injured reserve with an injured left Achilles tendon.

ESPN reported that the deal was for $4 million.

Panthers add RB Tolbert

The Carolina Panthers have added more depth to their already deep stable of running backs.

The Panthers announced yesterday they’ve signed free agent Mike Tolbert from the San Diego Chargers. Tolbert spent three seasons with Ron Rivera, who was the Chargers defensive coordinator before becoming the Panthers head coach.

“Mike is a very versatile player who can do a lot of different things for us,” Panthers general manager Marty Hurney said in a release. “He plays fullback, catches the ball well out of the backfield, plays running back, and is an outstanding special teams player.”

Tolbert’s agent Joel Turner said his client signed a four-year contract, but would not disclose the financial terms of the deal.

Bengals get Allen, keep Nelson

The Bengals signed free agent cornerback Jason Allen from Houston and agreed to a four-year deal with safety Reggie Nelson, who was one of their unrestricted free agents.

The moves bolster a secondary that was one of their main concerns in the offseason. Top cornerback Leon Hall is recovering from a torn left Achilles tendon.

Allen played in all 18 games for the Texans and their first-round playoff victory over Cincinnati, getting four interceptions overall last season. Nelson started every game for the Bengals last season and led the team with four interceptions.

Browns’ Dawson signs franchise tag

Browns kicker Phil Dawson has signed his one-year tender as the club’s franchise player.

It’s the second straight year the steady Dawson, who has been with the Browns since its 1999 expansion rebirth, has been tagged. General manager Tom Heckert recently said the team would like to sign the 37-year-old Dawson to a long-term contract.

Dawson, who will make $3.8 million next season, is coming off one of his best years. He converted 24 of 29 field goals, making seven beyond 50 yards.

Kosier released by Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys released starting guard Kyle Kosier, a 10-year veteran who spent six seasons in Dallas.

The move wasn’t a big surprise. The Cowboys last week signed a record seven free agents, including offensive guards Nate Livings and Mackenzy Bernadeau to multiyear contracts.

Kosier started all 80 games he played in Dallas since arriving from Detroit in 2006. The 33-year-old guard played one season for the Lions after opening his career with three seasons in San Francisco.

Lions re-sign punter Graham

The Detroit Lions re-signed punter Ben Graham to a one-year contract.

Graham was the team’s punter for the final seven games of last season, putting 10 of 28 punts inside the 20-yard line with only three touchbacks. He replaced Robert Malone, who filled in for one game for the injured Ryan Donahue, and had a kick returned for a touchdown by Chicago’s Devin Hester. Graham then signed and punted the rest of the year.

Raiders sign cornerback Spencer

The Oakland Raiders signed cornerback Shawntae Spencer to a one-year deal in their latest move to bolster their depleted secondary.

Spencer was released last week after eight seasons with the San Francisco 49ers and quickly found a new home across the bay with the Raiders.

Spencer is already familiar with Oakland’s new defensive coordinator, Jason Tarver, who was a defensive assistant for most of Spencer’s tenure with the 49ers.

Spencer started 72 games his first seven years for San Francisco, including all 32 in 2009-10. But he lost his job in training camp last year and spent most of his final season with the 49ers as a reserve.

The New England Patriots are stocking up on wide receivers who have experience in their complex offensive system.

A person with knowledge of the negotiations said Monday that wide receiver Donte’ Stallworth has agreed to a one-year contract to return to the Patriots.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak on the matter.

The Patriots also reportedly reached agreement last week with Brandon Lloyd, who played for current Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels when he was head coach of the Denver Broncos in 2009 and the first 12 games in 2010. The Patriots have not officially announced signing Lloyd.

Stallworth spent one season with the Patriots in 2007 when they went 18-0 before losing the Super Bowl to the New York Giants. He had 46 catches during the regular season. He had 17 receptions with Cleveland in 2008, two with Baltimore in 2010 and 22 with Washington last year.

He was suspended for the 2009 season by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell for violating the league’s personal conduct policy for a DUI vehicular manslaughter charge.

New England also has signed wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez, formerly of the Indianapolis Colts.

All three moves could spell the end of Chad Ochocinco’s career with the team. He signed a two-year contract before last season but struggled trying to learn the offense and finished with 15 catches in 15 regular-season games. The Patriots also have Deion Branch and Wes Welker, but neither is the deep threat they lacked last season.

Welker is a free agent, but was given the franchise tag and would bring compensation to the Patriots if another team signs him.

The Patriots announced Monday the signing of two free agents: defensive end Trevor Scott from the Oakland Raiders and cornerback Marquice Cole from the New York Jets.

Scott, Oakland’s sixth-round draft choice out of Buffalo in 2008, had 13 1-2 sacks in 58 games, including 16 starts, in four seasons with the Raiders.

Cole, who spent the last three seasons with the Jets, was undrafted coming out of Northwestern in 2007. He signed as a rookie free agent with Oakland, then moved on to Tennessee and New Orleans. In 37 games, including one start, he has two interceptions, including a 35-yard touchdown return.