Veteran wide receiver David Patten announced his retirement from football Saturday morning at New England's training camp.
Patten, who turns 37 on Aug. 19, said he believed he could keep up physically. But it was the mental challenge that led him to tell coach Bill Belichick he was retiring after four practices.
"This is in no way, shape or form what I anticipated coming back here this year," Patten said. "I'm actually a little saddened that I'm proving some of the naysayers right this morning. Some felt I signed back with the team to retire, but that was not part of my thought process. I honestly felt like I could still play this game and play at a high level. I felt the competitive spirit and nature was still there, but over the course of the last two days and over the course of the break [before training camp] away from the team, there was a lot of reflection. There was a lot of contemplation.
"I just felt like it was time. It just hit me yesterday. Camp was going really well. I was still able to go out and be competitive and operate at a high level, but I believe once you get to the point in your career where it's multiple years -- it would be my 13th year -- and you're thinking about it mentally and you're not 100 percent into it mentally wise, it's tough to play this game. I always felt like when I got to that that point, it would be in my best interests to walk away."
March 2010 - New England Patriots Wiretap
Brady Discusses Contract Situation
Tom Brady is entering the final year of his contract and touched on his relationship with the team following practice on Friday.
"I've always been privileged to play for Coach Belichick, who I've always said is the best coach in the history of the league. And Mr. Kraft, I have a great relationship with him," Brady said.
"I'm not into playing games. I just want to come out here and do the best I can do. You know, whether you make $1 playing, or you make millions of dollars like we do make, I just really enjoy playing quarterback for this team. I have since the day I stepped on the field. It's something I relish, and every year is an opportunity.
"You don't get these opportunities back. I want to play for another 10 years hopefully. Each year is an opportunity for us to accomplish something pretty special. I don't want anything to ever get in the way of that."
Brady is scheduled to earn $6.5 million this season, much less than quarterbacks of his caliber.
"My personal feelings are my personal feelings, and certainly I don't want to express them with anybody other than very few people," he said when asked about his mood in negotiations.
"It doesn't do any good. It really doesn't. It doesn't help this team. It doesn't help the organization. Really, it gets in the way to me."
Discussing New England's 2010 Training Camp With Aaron Schatz
Randolph Charlotin interviewed Aaron Schatz of FootballOutsiders.com about the coming season for the New England Patriots.
Patriots Sign First-Rounder McCourty
The Patriots have agreed to terms with first-round draft choice Devin McCourty on a five-year contract.
The deal has a maximum value of $13.2 million, according to a league source and includes guarantees and bonuses of $7.825 million.
McCourty, a cornerback from Rutgers, was the 27th overall selection in the draft.
Patriots Place Welker On Active/PUP List
The Patriots have placed wide receiver Wes Welker on the active/physically unable to perform list.
Welker, whose recovery from February surgery to repair a torn left ACL has been on schedule, can come off the list at any time.
It was reported earlier that Welker was fully cleared for training camp, but this may be an indication that the team's medical staff has yet to completely clear him.
Patriots Sign Rookie Spikes To Contract
The Patriots have signed second-round pick Brandon Spikes to a four-year, $3.21 million contract.
The deal includes a $960,000 signing bonus and a one-time incentive of $450,000, according to agent Terry Watson.
Spikes, a linebacker, was the final pick of the second round.
McCourty Talks Moving Slowly With New England
Talks between the Patriots and first-round pick Devin McCourty are moving slower than anticipated.
The two sides were unable to strike a deal by Sunday's reporting date for rookies.
Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant (24th) is the only first-round pick to have signed.
Brady, Patriots Making Progress On Extension
The Patriots and quarterback Tom Brady have begun making progress on talks of a long-term contract extension.
They have made enough progress that some believe an agreement will be finalized this summer, according to sources.
Brady has one year remaining on his deal with New England.
Patriots Sign Gronkowski
The Patriots have signed tight end Rob Gronkowski to a four-year, $4.44 million contract.
Per a league source, Gronkowsi's deal pays a signing bonus of $1.76 million and a one-time incentive based on minimum playing time in the amount of $830,000.
Patriots, Cunningham Agree To Deal
The Patriots have agreed to a contract with former Florida outside linebacker Jermaine Cunningham, according to a source.
The pact is believed to be for four years.
Cunningham is the first of three second-round draft picks to wrap up his deal with New England.
Welker Will Be Ready For Training Camp
Wes Welker has been cleared for contact drills.
Patriots Sign Two More Draft Picks
New England signed a pair of seventh-rounders on Wednesday.
Mankins Could Hold Out Into Season
New England hasn't given Logan Mankins the contract he feels he deserves.
Patriots, McCourty Working On Contract
New England will open training camp on July 29.
Moss Hires Segal As Agent
Randy Moss has hired agent Joel Segal to represent him as he enters the last year of his contract.
Owens Would Take Paycut To Play For Patriots, Like LeBron
Terrell Owens is interested in joining the Patriots.
Patriots Sign 7th Round Pick Deaderick
The New England Patriots announced today the signing of seventh-round draft choice DL Brandon Deaderick.
Brady To Receive Franchise Tag In 2011?
Tom Brady is entering the final year of his contract with no agreement in sight.