Patriots get help for kick returns

Wednesday, June 29, 2005 | 9:39 a.m.

SUN WIRE REPORTS

The New England Patriots signed free agent kick returner Chad Morton on Tuesday.

Morton's right knee was injured last season and he appeared in just six games for the Washington Redskins. He was released this month.

Morton has three career touchdowns on kick returns, including two in the same game in 2002, when he played for the New York Jets. Morton averaged 26 yards per kick return and 12.8 yards per punt return that year, the best season of his five-year career.

The Patriots also announced the signing of free agent guard Bryan Anderson and two 2005 draft picks, former UNLV linebacker Ryan Claridge and quarterback Matt Cassel.

Sports and business promoter Manuel Sanchez also was fined $25,000 and ordered to perform 250 hours of community service.

The NFL sued Sanchez, a former chief executive officer with Tickets Plus, alleging it was owed $474,000 in Pro Bowl tickets sold by the company and a $100,000 event sponsorship fee in 2003.

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