The Patriots haven't announced anything -- what else is new? -- but Jake Ballard, the former Giant who injured his knee in the Super Bowl, is their newest tight end.
And the source is none other than his agent:
As I stated yesterday a "smart" football organization might claim @NYG_J_Ballard85 while he's hurtto own his rights. He's now a Patriot! Blake Baratz (@the_ifa) June 12, 2012
@MikeGarafolo absolute Insanity.One day your meeting the President w your team, next day your released, next day ur on the team u beat in SB Blake Baratz (@the_ifa) June 12, 2012
Ballard, who is expected to miss the entire season, failed a Giants physical earlier this week and was placed on waivers Monday as a precursor to get him on the physically-unable-to-perform list. The New York Daily News reported that Ballard "was back in the Giants facility Tuesday at precisely 4:02 p.m. ET, two minutes after he officially cleared waivers". But, if Baratz is correct, either Ballard or the Daily News got wrong information.
Ballard may not be happy with the move, since he Tweeted on Monday that "I'm on the road to recovery, and I believe I'll be in a Giants uniform in '13". He also told reporters: "I'd like to stay here, stay with a team where I know the offense. I'll be back in Blue."
He is in blue . . . but it's Patriots blue, not Giants blue.