Free agent Visanthe Shiancoe will meet with the tight-end rich New England Patriots on Thursday, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.
Schiancoe, 32, met with the Seattle Seahawks in March, but he reportedly turned down a one-year, $1.2 million contract offer. By doing so, Schiancoe opened the door for the Seahawks to acquire tight end Kellen Winslow in a trade with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Patriots already have five tight ends, including Pro Bowl honorees Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, and another on injured reserve.
Shiancoe's best season came in 2009 with the Minnesota Vikings. He and quarterback Brett Favre developed a rapport that resulted in Shiancoe hauling in 56 passes for 566 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Shiancoe was selected by the New York Giants in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He mostly played a backup role to Jeremy Shockey before signing with the Vikings in 2007. Last season, Shiancoe had 36 receptions for 409 yards and three touchdowns.
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