The Facts: The Patriots hosted Patten on a visit earlier this month. The 32-year-old Patten, who played for the Patriots from 2001-2004, played the last two seasons with the Redskins. He is an unrestricted free agent.
Diehards Line:Patten also visited with the Saints earlier in free agency, and New Orleans would seem to be a more likely landing spot for him at this time. Regarding Patten's visit to the Patriots, his agent, Mark Lepselter, told Globe staffer Mike Reiss: "He loves it up there and doesn't forget how good New England was to him. They gave him an opportunity in '01 that no one else did. He won three Super Bowls. It was a great part of his career."