‘Girding for the playoff stretch run, and addressing an area weakened by injuries for much of the year, the New England Patriots on Tuesday signed veteran and versatile offensive lineman Ross Tucker, ESPN.com confirmed. Tucker, 26, was released by Buffalo this summer after starting 12 games, mostly at left guard, for the Bills in 2004. The four-year veteran has worked out for a number of teams during the season and, while some clubs told him they would sign him for camp in 2006, none had offered him a contract for this year.’