Patriots Re-Sign Sammy Morris to One-Year Deal, Could Set Up Position Battle With Kevin Faulk

The Patriots are set to have a serious competition in the offensive backfield.

Veteran running back Sammy Morris signed a one-year contract to remain in New England, according to his agent, Mark Slough.

The 34-year-old Morris will join a backfield that got a lot younger this offseason with the addition of rookies Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley, who will compete for playing time with BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead. However, Morris has also been used in a fullback role during portions of his first four seasons with the Patriots.

The Patriots have yet to re-sign Kevin Faulk, the team's longest-tenured player who tore his ACL in Week 2 of the 2010 season, although it is still believed that Faulk will get a chance to return.

It would seem unlikely that the Patriots would keep both Faulk and Morris, although the veteran leadership would be a definite luxury. Assuming the Pats keep all four of their young running backs, Faulk and Morris could be in a head-to-head battle for a job in 2011.