NFL.com has just posted a story, citing unnamed NFL sources, that claims the Patriots are poised to make a trade for Carolina defensive end Julius Peppers.

According to the report, New England would send a 2nd-round pick (apparently, the 34th overall, acquired from Kansas City in the Matt Cassel/Mike Vrabel trade) to the Panthers in exchange for Peppers. That would still leave the Pats with two 2nd-round picks (#s 47 and 58 overall).

The report goes on to predict that the trade will be consumated sometime before next month’s NFL Draft. It seems the Panthers are willing to take the 2nd-round choice because it would be less costly than a 1st-rounder, which the market would appear to dictate for a player of Peppers’ ability.

The Patriots continue to add depth to their wide receiver corps. Multiple reports over the weekend indicated that veteran WR Joey Galloway has signed with New England. He apparently chose the Pats over the Bills and Steelers after having visited New England earlier this month.

Galloway’s presence on the Patriots roster would infuse the wide receiver position with much-needed depth and significant talent. Though oft-injured, the 37-year-old still might have some tread left on his tires. He played just nine games last season for the Tampa Bay Bucs because of an ankle injury. However, in each of the three previous seasons, he registered more than 1,000 yards (16.6-yard average) and caught 23 touchdowns during that span.

 So, when healthy, Galloway has shown he can still get the job done. Being in a passing offense led by Tom Brady and including Randy Moss and Wes Welker should be a tremendous benefit to Galloway’s production. As we saw in 2007, having legitimate threats line up at all three spots in New England’s 3-receiver sets is virtually unstoppable … and all three get their share of passes thrown their way because someone, inevitably, is always open.  

Factor in that the Pats also have made a notable upgrade at running back with the addition of Fred Taylor and this 2009 New England offense is beginning to look like it could rival the record-setting ‘07 squad.

Galloway would become the second former 1st-round pick from Seattle to join the Pats this offseason, joining cornerback Shawn Springs (3rd overall pick in 1997). Galloway was the Seahawks’ eighth overall pick in the 1995 NFL Draft. He played five seasons there before jumping to Dallas, where he spent four seasons. The past five years, Galloway has been in Tampa.

They are the forgotten team in the AFC East no more.

Terrell Owens’ signing of a one-year, $6.5 million deal with Buffalo this weekend instantly increases the profile of the heretofore moribund Bills. With the Patriots, Jets, and Dolphins all fighting for a playoff spot in the final week of the regular season last year, Buffalo was relegated to the basement of the division once again.

And while Owens’ presence on the roster doesn’t necessarily guarantee the Bills’ a playoff berth, it does help catapult them into consideration more than they might have otherwise been. When discussing the race for the AFC East title, one must legitimately include all four teams in the discussion — for now, anyway. I’m expecting T.O. to do to Buffalo what he’s done to every other team for whom he has played. How quickly that happens remains to be seen.  

In the meantime, at the very least, T.O. makes the biannual Bills-Patriots games more competitive — something Buffalo desperately needs, having lost to the Pats 11 straight times (the infamous 2003 season-opener was the last Buffalo victory in this series). In case you’re forgotten, Owens had big games against the Pats in two previous high-profile contests (Super Bowl XXXIX with Philadelphia and October 2007 with Dallas, when both the ‘Boys and Pats were undefeated).

More than ever, New England needs to find some solutions in the defensive backfield.  

Getcha popcorn ready.

New England’s backfield-by-committee has lost a member.

Thursday, fullback Heath Evans signed a 2-year deal with New Orleans. Just a couple of weeks ago, at his charity softball and golf event in his native Florida, Evans told reporters that he was not only hoping to re-sign with the Pats, but that he wanted to finish his career here.  Apparently, what the Saints offered was enough to change Evans’ mind.

Noted for his devout Christian faith, Evans contributed not only in the Pats running game, but on special teams as well. On offense, New England’s  multiple-receiver sets don’t typically employ a traditional fullback on most downs. As a result, Evans saw most of his action in short-yardage and goal-line plays. 

Evans’ departure still leaves New England with a stable of backs, however. The roster currently includes Sammy Morris, Kevin Faulk, Fred Taylor, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, and Laurence Maroney.

If the Pats want to pursue another fullback, there are a few available on the free agent market, the best among them being journeyman Lorenzo Neal (5-11, 255), late of Baltimore. Here are the rest:

Darian Barnes (6-2, 240), New Orleans

Justin Griffith (6-0, 230), released by Oakland

Michael Karney (5-11, 255), released by New Orleans

Dan Kreider (5-11, 255), St. Louis

Terrelle Smith (6-0, 250) Arizona

Naufahu Tahi (6-0, 254), Minnesota

Leonard Weaver (6-0, 242) Seattle

One report we first heard over the weekend has been confirmed by the Patriots today. They’ve re-signed safety James Sanders, along with linebacker Eric Alexander and punter Chris Hanson. In addition, practice squad linebacker Darrell Robertson has been released.

Sanders is a PFW favorite.  We’ve watched him steadily grow from a rookie contributor in 2005 to a full-time starting free safety this past season.  He missed just 2 games in ‘08, finishing sixth in total tackles on the team. With Rodney Harrison’s playing future still uncertain, it should be comforting for Pats fans to know that Sanders, an established veteran starter, is returning to be the anchor of New England’s defensive backfield.

He might not be the flashiest or hardest-hitting player on the field (like Harrison always was), but in his own way, Sanders has become the leader of that group.   

As for Hanson, I expected him to be back, though I wouldn’t be surprised if another punter is brought into training camp to compete for the job.