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November 4, 2007

Corey Dillon hopes for a callback from the Patriots

Providence Journal photo / Bob Breidenbach

Patriots running back (28) Corey Dillon making yardage against the Detroit Lions last Dec. 3 at Gillette Stadium. Paris Lenon (53) and Alex Lewis (59) make the stop. Corey Dillon scored three touchdowns that day, helping the Patriots win 28-21.

The Globe reports Dillon pondering a comeback:

INDIANAPOLIS - Corey Dillon is readying for a second run with the Patriots.

Dillon, who retired following last year after 10 seasons in the NFL and three with the Patriots, has been working out with a trainer near his home in Calabasas, Calif.

Dillon's agent, Steve Feldman, said that the 33-year-old Dillon began working out after running back Sammy Morris injured a bone in his chest against the Cowboys Oct. 14. The Patriots put Morris on injured reserve Friday, ending his season and possibly opening the door for a midseason return by Dillon.

"He decided that no one knew what the prognosis would be with Sammy and that in case it turned out to be a long-term thing, he wanted to be prepared for the Patriots' call," said Feldman. "He started working out 2 1/2 weeks ago."

Feldman said Dillon is still close with many of his former Patriots teammates and they encouraged him to consider coming out of retirement.

"When Sammy Morris went down, the phone calls from his teammates intensified," said Feldman. "I think he felt a real twinge towards his teammates. We've had calls all season from teams and the only team he would even consider coming back for was the Patriots."...

But for now the Patriots have reached into their future pool, not their past to replace Morris. Over on our PatsBlog, Shalise Manza Young reports (Ventrone promoted):

The New England Patriots yesterday filled the 53rd roster spot opened when they placed running back Sammy Morris on injured reserve with practice squad defensive back Ray Ventrone.

Promoting Ventrone was not the move most assumed the team would make. With safety Eugene Wilson and special-teamer Mel Mitchell battling injuries, it was thought the Patriots would activate cornerback Eddie Jackson off the physically-unable-to-perform list, a move that would help cover both issues...

He was signed to the Patriots’ practice squad on Sept. 18 and has been named one of the team’s practice players of the week twice so far this year

So are the Patriots at all interested in Dillon? The Boston Herald asked (Raising old Corey) his agent, Steve Feldman,

When asked if there had been any communication with the Patriots since Morris went down to injury in the Dallas game, Feldman clammed up.

“I’d rather not comment on that,” Feldman answered....

“We’re just going to take a wait-and-see attitude,” Feldman said. “He’s going to continue to work out, continue to get in great shape, and if the call comes, he’ll be ready.”

Posted by Sheila Lennon  at 10:12 AM | Permalink