Touchdown felt good, but being back in the locker room was the best moment for Stallworth.
FOXBOROUGH – It was a long road back for Donte' Stallworth. He sat on the outside for more than 90 days, hoping for a chance to get back in the NFL after the Patriots cut him at the end of training camp.
There were a few nibbles, a visit here and there, but nothing materialized until New England brought him back last week after Julian Edelman suffered a season-ending foot injury. But all those long days working out at the Bommaritoes Performance Systems training facility paid off during Monday night's 42-14 win over the Houston Texans when he caught a 63-yard touchdown pass.
"It was good. It was good to be able to get out there and contribute," Stallworth said. "I was just honestly glad to be back here and be signed. Whatever they asked me to do, I was obviously willing to do it."
The touchdown came in the third quarter. Stallworth took off down the right side of the field, got behind the defense, and quarterback Tom Brady dropped a pass over cornerback Brandon Harris' head and into the arms of Stallworth.
From, he was off, out-running a converging defense to the end zone.
"It's a play that's been here in this offense, even back when I was here in '07, it's something that we had the opportunity to run against those guys," Stallworth said. "The coverage that they were playing was a good coverage for that particular play. Brady just made a timing, great throw."
It was the only catch that Stallworth, who served as the third receiver, during the game. But playing was all that really mattered for him.
"Just being out there with the guys," Stallworth said. "When I first got signed earlier this week, it was really good being back around the guys, being back here in the locker room with the fellas.
"It's been a good week."
