On Friday morning it was announced that the New England Patriots gave LB Rob Ninkovich a two-year contract extension through 2013. He was given a $2 million signing bonus and will earn $900,000 in 2012 and 2013.
Ninkovich originally taken in the 5th round of the 2006 NFL Draft out of Purdue by the New Orleans Saints finished his rookie year on the IR with a knee injury.
In 2007 he was claimed off of waivers by the Miami Dolphins where he played sparingly over a two season span and saw practice squad time. In December 2008 New Orleans re-signed him as a long snapper off the Miami practice squad and he was released during training camp in 2009.
He was signed by New England to the 53-man roster in August 2009 and made the team and over time Ninkovich has become not only a valued member of the defensive unit but a starting linebacker.
The Patriots also announced they released WR Kerry Taylor and re-signed recently released OL Nick McDonald back to the practice squad. McDonald, an undrafted free agent in 2010 out of Grand Valley State, was signed by the Green Bay Packers and all though he never played in any games he did earn a Super Bowl XLV Championship ring.
Green Bay waived him during the final cut downs for the 53-man roster and he signed with New England after having several offers with other teams. He was released from the practice squad earlier this week only to be brought back by week’s end.
Follow Steve on Twitter @djstevem
Photo credit: AP Photo
