New England Patriots Pro Bowl linebacker Tedy Bruschi is considering sitting out next season after a stroke last month, Bruschi's newly hired agent, Brad Blank, told the Boston Globe.
Bruschi was hospitalized last month after what the team described as a mild stroke and reportedly was to undergo surgery for a hole in his heart that might have caused the stroke.
Bruschi helped the Patriots to their third Super Bowl title in four years last season and reached his first Pro Bowl. It is not clear whether he would attempt to play in the 2006 season if he sits out next season. . . .
Scott Pioli, the Patriots' front office chief, was named the NFL's executive of the year for a second year in a row.
Ex-Redskin Signs With Broncos
Free agent tight end Stephen Alexander, who spent last season with Detroit and played with the Redskins from 1998 to 2001, agreed to a three-year, $4.2 million contract with Denver. The Broncos, meantime, declined to match the Seattle Seahawks' five-year, $15 million offer sheet to cornerback Kelly Herndon. Herndon will go to the Seahawks, without draft-pick compensation to the Broncos, and become the first player to change teams this offseason via restricted free agency. . . .
The New York Giants agreed to a five-year contract to re-sign free agent fullback Jim Finn. . . . Jacksonville released linebacker Tommy Hendricks, who was arrested last week for violating a restraining order involving his ex-wife. . . . NFL career rushing leader Emmitt Smith submitted his official retirement papers to the league, and Dallas placed him on its reserve-retired list. Smith signed a ceremonial contract with the Cowboys to retire as a member of the club.
