FOXBOROUGH, Mass. � The New England Patriots re-signed unrestricted free agent linebacker Tully Banta-Cain on Friday, the first day of free agency, keeping their top pass rusher in the fold for another three years.

�I had some calls from my agent last night that we were going to try to get it done,� Banta-Cain said in a conference call with reporters. �I was hopeful it would get done and it did. I�m happy about that.�
Banta-Cain played for the Patriots� last two Super Bowl teams in 2004 and �05, before going to San Francisco as an unrestricted free agent in 2007. After two seasons, the 49ers released him and he re-signed with New England.
Last year, he had a career-high 10 sacks and 60 total tackles while starting 10 games.
�I was honored to have the opportunity to come back,� he said. �Not many people get the opportunity to come back to where they started. I really wanted to make the most of the season. Despite the way things turned out for the team, I was able to have a significant role.
�It was a great experience to come back. Now I�m really looking forward to my future here.�