Former Ram Ellard Signs With Patriots

Out of the NFL for the first time since 1982, Henry Ellard kept busy helping a struggling private high school team in Orange, Calif., with only 14 players.

Now he’s with the New England Patriots, another slumping, undermanned team.

Ellard signed Wednesday with the Patriots, who have lost two games and three receivers in the last three weeks.

“He worked out very well [Tuesday] and was very precise about his routes,” Patriot Coach Pete Carroll said.

Ellard, 37, spent the last four seasons with the Washington Redskins, catching 32 passes last year, but wasn’t re-signed. With no training camp to attend, he worked out on his own and helped the football team at Southern California Christian High in Orange.

*

New Orleans was awarded its ninth Super Bowl, beating San Diego for the rights to the 2002 NFL title game. . . . Quarterback Elvis Grbac apologized to the Kansas City Chiefs for criticizing teammates by name after Monday’s 20-13 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers and promised, “This will never happen again.” . . . Steeler lineman Kevin Henry said he wasn’t mad when he shoved defensive coordinator Jim Haslett during Monday night’s game. ABC-TV cameras caught Henry pushing Haslett out of his way as the defensive end’s ankle was being taped along the sidelines. . . . Quarterback Erik Kramer of the Chicago Bears underwent an MRI on his right shoulder for a bruised rotator cuff, two days after having arthroscopic surgery on his left knee to clean out some bone chips and cartilage. The Bears have a bye this week, and trainer Tim Bream said there’s a 70%-75% chance that Kramer will play Nov. 8 against the St. Louis Rams. . . . Quarterback Chris Chandler, who sat out the Atlanta Falcons’ previous game because of a shoulder injury, made it through his regular routine at practice and probably will play Sunday against the Rams. . . . Coach Ted Marchibroda of the Baltimore Ravens named Jim Harbaugh his starting quarterback for Sunday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars and shuffled an offensive line that surrendered four sacks last week in a 28-10 loss to the Green Bay Packers. . . . Reserve quarterback Craig Erickson of the Miami Dolphins will sit out the rest of the season because of a sprained right elbow.