NFL: Patriot linked to drug probe

A starting offensive lineman for the New England Patriots worked as an informant for federal drug agents after he was arrested in New York on a charge of carrying the powerful painkiller oxycodone without a prescription, an attorney said.

Nick Kaczur, 28, wore a wire to help agents build a case against his alleged supplier, Daniel Ekasala, according to Ekasala's attorney.

A Drug Enforcement Administration agent said in an affadavit that a cooperating witness - whose name was not revealed in the document - wore a recording device during three drug buys last month. In each of the deals, the witness bought 100 OxyContin pills from Ekasala for $3,900 in cash, the agent wrote.

Ekasala's lawyer, Bernard Grossberg, said Kaczur was that cooperating witness.

Kaczur denied to the Boston Globe that he participated in the investigation, telling the newspaper, "I don't know what you're talking about, bro."

Kaczur has an unlisted telephone number and could not be reached for comment yesterday. His agent, Vance Malinovic, did not return messages.

Stacey James, a spokesman for the Patriots, would not comment on Kaczur. He referred questions to the U.S. Attorney's Office, which declined to comment.

Kaczur, 6-foot-4 and 315 pounds, started 15 games last year at right tackle, protecting star quarterback Tom Brady during the Patriots' undefeated regular season. Kazcur was drafted by the Patriots in 2005 and has started 35 games over three seasons, but has missed games with shoulder and foot injuries.

The NFL does not test for oxycodone but does prohibit the misuse of prescription drugs.

Cowboys. Pacman Jones said he had learned his lesson on keeping away from trouble.

"Just picking and choosing my places, my friends, knowing what to do, when to do it and what not to do," the cornerback said after his second workout with the Cowboys.

"Out of everything I've been through, that's the past. I'm going to talk about the future, but I've learned a great deal."

Jones sat out the 2007 season for the Tennessee Titans after being suspended by the NFL, but commissioner Roger Goodell partially reinstated him this week.

Dolphins. Two weeks after announcing that Jason Taylor would not practice with the team through training camp, Miami coach Tony Sparano said he told the six-time Pro Bowl defensive end that he and the organization want him back.

The new Dolphins regime, led by Bill Parcells, has been fuming for months that Taylor spent his off-season on the TV show Dancing With the Stars rather than working out with teammates.

It is still unclear when - or if - Taylor will be back on the field.

Buccaneers. Veteran tight end Jerramy Stevens was suspended without pay for the first two games of the season and fined an additional game check for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.

Stevens, who has had mulitiple run-ins with the law over his career, re-signed with Tampa Bay last Friday.