New York Giants' Jake Ballard catches a pass during practice, Friday, Feb. 3, 2012, in Indianapolis.

The New England Patriots made some additions to their roster early this week.  They signed rookie free agent TE Tyler Urban who played his college football at West Virginia.

They also added WR Jesse Holley, a former Dallas Cowboy.  Holley, who played at North Carolina, spent the last three seasons in Dallas after winning a shot at a tryout by winning Michael Irvin’s reality show, “4th and Long”.

Holley, who also spent time with Cincinnati and the BC Lions of the CFL, is most likely a longshot at making the roster with all of the depth the team has a wide receiver in mini camp.

In addition the team claimed TE Jake Ballard on waivers from the New York Giants.  Ballard is best remembered for catching a TD pass in the Giants game at Foxboro last year and then tearing his ACL in the Super Bowl and collapsing on the sideline.

Ballard is not expected to play this season and will most likely be IR’d but he is under contract for 2013 the two-years combined will only cost New England $1.1 million in salary so yet another low risk high reward deal for the Patriots.

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photo credit:  AP Photo