Two former St. Louis Rams defenders are reportedly drawing attention in free agency from the New England Patriots.
The Patriots have shown interest in defensive end Chris Long, the Providence Journal’s Mark Daniels learned Friday. Linebacker James Laurinaitis visited the Patriots, according to WWE and NWA legend Road Warrior Animal. Animal, real name Joe Laurinaitis, is James’ father. The younger Laurinaitis also visited the Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints, Washington Redskins, San Francisco 49ers and New York Giants, according to his father.
Long and Laurinaitis were cut by the Rams on the same day last month. Long had 19 tackles and three sacks in 2015, when he suited up for 12 games. He had just one sack in six games in 2014.
Laurinaitis had 109 tackles in each of his last two seasons. He had one sack in 2015 and 3.5 in 2014.
The Patriots need a third linebacker after Jerod Mayo announced his retirement last month. The Patriots have less of a need at defensive end with Chandler Jones, Rob Ninkovich, Jabaal Sheard, Trey Flowers, Rufus Johnson and Geneo Grissom already on the Patriots’ roster.
Thumbnail photo via Brace Hemmelgarn/USA TODAY Sports Images
