FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- As players and coaches from both the Patriots and Saints walked up to the practice fields on Wednesday, an old connection was rekindled when New Orleans tight end David Thomas chatted with New England coach Bill Belichick.

Thomas was a 2006 third-round draft choice of the Patriots. He played here for three seasons, totaling 21 regular-season receptions in 32 games, before the Patriots traded him to the Saints for a late-round draft choice.

Thomas (6-foot-3, 248) has been more productive in New Orleans, appearing in 33 regular-season games and totaling 70 receptions, and in Sunday's Pro Football Hall of Fame Game he was on the field for the Saints' first snap of the game, which seemed to reflect his secure status on the roster.

The 29-year-old is one of the few ex-Patriots who after being let go/traded in the Bill Belichick era have gone on to greater success elsewhere. His presence on the practice field got us thinking about others who might fall into that category as well.

Ted Larsen -- A 2010 sixth-round draft choice, he was waived at the final cutdown his rookie season and claimed by the Buccaneers. He's played in 28 games, with 14 starts, and is currently listed as the backup center for 2012.

Jeremy Mincey -- A 2006 sixth-round draft choice, he was out-performed by undrafted free agent Pierre Woods in training camp and never appeared in a regular-season game for the team. After a brief stint in San Francisco, he has found a home in Jacksonville (2006-2011), where he's totaled 13 sacks over the last two seasons and earned himself a nice free-agent contract.

Richard Seymour -- Could debate whether defensive lineman belongs on this list based on the high level he played in New England, but he's missed just three games in the last three seasons (15.5 sacks) in Oakland and has cashed in with a few big paydays.

Greg Spires -- Defensive end was inherited by Belichick from prior regime and wasn't deemed a fit for the team's scheme after 2000 season. Went on to play for the Browns (2001) and Buccaneers (2002-2007), becoming a consistent starter in Tampa (26 sacks).

Adam Vinatieri -- Kicker wins a Super Bowl with the Colts after signing with them in 2006 and is still going strong at 39.