Plaxico Burress isn’t the only unsigned veteran to land on the Patriots’ radar recently.
Shalise Manza Young of the Boston Globe reported Sunday that longtime Packers tackle Chad Clifton will be in Foxborough for a workout this week and the NFL Network is reporting that the team will give Clifton a physical. That doesn’t mean a signing is right around the corner since there’s not much point in thinking about Clifton unless they know that he’s healthy enough to actually get on the field. Clifton failed a physical with Green Bay before getting released in April.
Clifton said he wanted to keep playing, though, and he’s had almost four months to strengthen his back since getting cut in Green Bay. The Patriots may just be doing due dilligence on a player who might fill a need down the line, but there could be a place for Clifton in New England.
The offensive line has been somewhat undermanned during camp. Logan Mankins started on the PUP list, Sebastian Vollmer remains on it, Brian Waters hasn’t reported and Robert Gallery decided to retire shortly after the start of camp. A healthy Clifton would give the Patriots the option of sliding Nate Solder back to the right side in place of Vollmer if need be and he’d provide more experienced depth than Marcus Cannon, although it’s premature to start figuring out where he fits unless or until the Patriots actually bring him on board.