Patriots signed LB James Anderson, formerly of the Bears, and waived WR Mark Harrison. Anderson, 31 in September, led the Bears in tackles last season with 102 as a 16-game starter on the outside. He's his best as a coverage linebacker in nickel packages and should be on the field with LB Jamie Collins in passing situations for the Patriots. Harrison is a height-weight-speed specimen at 6-foot-3 and 231 pounds with 4.46 wheels. He should get a look somewhere this summer.

Free agent LB James Anderson worked out for the Patriots last week. ESPN Boston believes Anderson could appeal to the Patriots due to his athleticism and ability to play in coverage. At 6-foot-2 and 235 pounds, Anderson was a big part of the Bears' nickel package last season. In New England, he'd be a role player after leading the Bears in tackles. The Patriots' current linebacker trio consists of SLB Donta' Hightower, MLB Jerod Mayo. and WLB Jamie Collins.

Bears signed LB James Anderson, formerly of the Panthers.

Panthers will release LB James Anderson. The cap-strapped Panthers are making some tough decisions. Although Anderson was due a relatively meager $2.9 million in 2013, he's entering his age-30 season and managed a mere 38 tackles in 12 games last season. Jon Beason is expected to kick to the strong-side linebacker spot now that Luke Kuechly is entrenched in the middle. The five-year, $22 million contract the Panthers gave Anderson in 2011 was another disaster from former GM Marty Hurney.