Patriots LB Gary Guyton Signs Extension

According to NFLPA records, New England Patriots linebacker Gary Guyton has signed a one-year contract extension.

An Exclusive Rights Free Agent this off-season, the third-year linebacker was scheduled to earn non-guaranteed base salary of $470,000 in 2010. Guyton's extension now includes a base salary of $505,000 for 2010, and $1 million dollars in 2011.

ESPN's Mike Reiss adds that Guyton received a $650,000 signing bonus as part of the deal, pushing the total value to over $2.155 million dollars.

Signed by New England as an undrafted free agent out of Georgia Tech in 2008, the 6-2, 245-pound Guyton turned heads during training camp, posting 18 tackles during pre-season action and earning a spot on the Patriots' 53-man roster.

Mostly used on third downs and special teams, Guyton totaled 33 tackles, including three for a loss, with three passes defensed a pair of forced fumbles during a rookie season where Guyton appeared in 15 games.

Guyton made two starts late in his rookie season for an injured Tedy Bruschi.

With Bruschi retiring before the 2009 season-opener, Guyton would start all 16 regular season games for the Patriots, finishing second behind fellow inside linebacker Jerod Mayo with 85 tackles. Guyton added 1.5 quarterback sacks, three passes defensed, and was third on the Patriots' defense with 11 quarterback hits.

Guyton, who won't turn 25 until November, is once again expected to start alongside the 24-year old Mayo at inside linebacker in 2010.

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