Pats pick up QB Walter

FOXBOROUGH, Mass., Aug. 4 (UPI) -- The New England Patriots are going a different route with their backup quarterbacks, signing Andrew Walter and releasing Matt Gutierrez.

Walter, 27, was with Oakland the past three seasons after the Raiders picked him in the third round in 2005. The Arizona State product completed 174-of-333 passes for 1,919 yards, three touchdowns and 16 interceptions in 15 games (nine starts).

Oakland cut Walter loose last week, creating the opportunity for New England to sign him Monday behind Tom Brady. The Pats also have Brian Hoyer, a rookie free agent signed out of Michigan State.

Gutierrez had hooked on with the Patriots as a rookie free agent out of Idaho State in 2007. He played briefly in five games as a rookie, completing one pass for 15 yards. He started last season on the team before being assigned to the 53-man roster on Sept. 13.