Patriots adding defensive end Andre Carter

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By Tom E. Curran
CSNNE.com Patriots InsiderFollow @tomecurran
The Patriots have made another move to bolster their pass rush. They have added Andre Carter, a former seventh-overall pick, who was with the Redskins the past five seasons.
The team confirmed Monday that the deal has been completed.
Carter tweeted Sunday night, "I am proud to announce that I will be playing for the New England Patriots for the 2011 season. Thanks you for your prayers and support."Carter, 32, is a classic 4-3 defensive end who had 11 sacks for Washington in 2009. Last year, Washington switched to the 3-4 and Carter played left outside linebacker. He started just five games and had 2.5 sacks. Drafted one pick behind Richard Seymour in 2001, he hasn't missed a game since 2004. He had 36 sacks from 2005 through 2009. With the addition of the versatile defensive lineman Shaun Ellis earlier Sunday and former Bear Mark Anderson earlier in the week, the Patriots keep loading up on would-be pass rushers. Between those players, Albert Haynesworth (a teammate of Carter's in Washington), Vince Wilfork, Mike Wright, Eric Moore, Jermaine Cunningham, Rob Ninkovich and Marques Murrell, the Patriots are firing bodies - many of them large - at what has been a shortcoming for their defense the past few seasons. It's going to turn into an interesting numbers game as this preseason moves along, especially with the fleet of young defensive tackles (Kyle Love, Myron Pryor, Ron Brace and Brandon Deaderick) the team also is currently carrying. The team also made a couple of minor moves, releasing first-year corner Thad Turner and placing rookie free agent offensive lineman Kyle Hix on injured reserve.

Tom E. Curran can be reached at tcurran@comcastsportsnet.com. Follow Tom on Twitter at http:twitter.comtomecurran.

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