The New England Patriots are bringing back their core special teams players from last season as they re-signed LB Tracy White and LB Niko Koutouvides of Plainville CT.

New England Patriots linebacker Niko Koutouvides walks off the field after the Patriots' 21-17 loss to the New York Giants in the NFL Super Bowl XLVI football game, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012, in Indianapolis.White was second on the team last year in special teams tackles behind special teams captain Matthew Slater. White, who is 31 years old, has played with five teams and is entering his third season in New England.  He did contribute toward the end of the season on defense when the injury bug bit the linebacking corps.

Koutouvides was brought in midway through the season to help solidify the special teams when they were having some issues.  He had been with Patriots in training camp after the lockout had ended but didn’t stick with the team at that time.  Apparently he had showed Bill Belichick and his staff enough to think of him when they needed some special teams help.

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Photo credit: AP Photo