Patriots part ways with defensive tackle

Thursday, May 5, 2005 | 9:28 a.m.

SUN WIRE SERVICES

The New England Patriots released nose tackle Keith Traylor on Wednesday, giving last year's first-round draft pick Vince Wilfork a chance for more playing time.

Traylor started 10 regular-season games in his only year with the Patriots. He was a restricted free agent when he signed with them on March 31, 2004.

Traylor, 35, had spent the previous three seasons with the Chicago Bears. In 13 NFL seasons, he's been with six teams after being drafted by Denver in the third round in 1991 as a linebacker.

"He'll be here tomorrow to work out," team spokesman Patrick Wixted said.

The Redskins got Moss from the New York Jets in a trade for receiver Laveranues Coles in March. Moss was entering the final year of his contract, so the Redskins planned to begin talks to sign him right after that swap.

Also, quarterback Tim Hasselbeck was released.

Brown, a six-year veteran, signed a deal worth about $8 million, including a $2 million signing bonus. He was entering the final season of a four-year deal that he signed with Houston as a restricted free agent in 2002.

Vollers, a restricted free agent, is expected to challenge for the starting right tackle spot. In three seasons with the Cowboys, he started 11 of 27 games, including three of 13 games last season.

Junior Seau is back on the practice field, learning new Miami coach Nick Saban's defensive scheme after weighing whether to return for a 16th pro season.

"There were thoughts of retirement," Seau said Wednesday. "It was nice to have Nick call me up and say he wanted me to be part of this."