The Facts: Brown is recovering from off-season knee surgery, which has slowed any contract talks on the free-agent market, multiple sources said today at the NFL annual meeting. Brown's knee surgery was mentioned Monday on the "Big Show" on Boston sports radio station WEEI.
Diehards Line:Brown is currently an unrestricted free agent. He would like to play in 2007, although his health could ultimately be the determining factor if that happens. The Patriots have stocked up on receivers this offseason, with Reche Caldwell, Bam Childress, Jabar Gaffney, Chad Jackson, Kelvin Kight, Jonathan Smith, Donte' Stallworth, Kelley Washington and Wes Welker all under contract at the position. ... Despite that, Globe staffer Mike Reiss still believes Brown could still be part of the mix moving forward.