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| April 1, 1998 Patriots Re-sign Eaton, Grier, and Porter. Foxboro, Mass., -- The New England Patriots announced the signings of two exclusive rights free agents; defensive end Chad Eaton and running back Marrio Grier, as well as free agent center Juan Porter.  Eaton, 25, finished the 1997 season with 21 tackles (13 solo), one sack
and three passes defensed while participating in all 16 regular season games, including
a start on Dec. 22 at Miami. He was signed by the Patriots and placed on their practice
squad on Aug. 27, 1996 and was later activated on Nov. 28, 1996. He played in the
final four games of the regular season and all three playoff games, which includes
Super Bowl XXXI. He recorded four tackles (3 solo), including one sack and two passes
defensed during the regular season and added three tackles, including half a sack
during the playoffs.The 6-foot-5-inch, 300-pound, Washington State product was originally drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the seventh round of the 1995 NFL Draft.  Grier,
26, accumulated 75 yards on 33 carries (2.8 avg.) and one touchdown while playing
in all 16 games during the Patriots 1997 season. The 5-foot-10-inch, 229-pound running
back was selected by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 1996 NFL Draft.Porter, 24, rejoins the Patriots after spending the 1997 season as a member of the practice squad. The 6-foot-3-inch, 295-pound center was originally signed by the Patriots as a rookie free agent on April 20, 1997, but waived on Aug. 19. He was added to the practice squad on Aug. 26. |