ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times

DATE: Thursday, February 6, 1997             TAG: 9702060060
SECTION: SPORTS                   PAGE: B-4  EDITION: METRO 
                                             TYPE: IN SPORTS
SOURCE: From Associated Press reports

SLADE STANDS PAT WITH NEW 5-YEAR DEAL

The New England Patriots signed Chris Slade to a five-year contract Wednesday, keeping the linebacker with the team through the 2001 NFL season.

Slade, a four-year pro, would have become a free agent Feb.15, having played out a one-year contract. Financial terms of his new agreement were not disclosed.

Slade, who led the Patriots with 10 unassisted tackles during New England's Super Bowl loss to the Green Bay Packers, appeared in all 19 of the team's games this past season, starting 12.

``Chris is one of the foundations of this team, and we made it our top priority to re-sign him,'' said Robert Kraft, the Patriots' owner.

In his four years with the Patriots, the 6-foot-5, 245-pound outside linebacker has totaled 330 tackles and 31 1/2 sacks. The Patriots took Slade in the second-round of the 1993 draft out of the University of Virginia, where he set an ACC career record with 40 sacks.

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