FOXBORO, Mass (AP) – Two-time Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady underwent a minor procedure on his throwing shoulder.

Brady, who led the New England Patriots to title-game wins over Carolina this year and St. Louis two years ago, had “lingering soreness in his throwing shoulder.” A statement from the team released Wednesday said his prognosis was excellent but did not elaborate.

The team did not say when Brady had the procedure.

Brady, a sixth-round draft pick in 2000, took over as New England’s quarterback after Drew Bledsoe was injured early in the 2001 season. Bledsoe never got his job back and was traded to Buffalo in 2002.

Last season, Brady led New England to 15 straight wins, including the 32-29 victory over Carolina in the Super Bowl.

Kent State’s Pees hired

to coach linebackers

The New England Patriots hired Kent State head football coach Dan Pees to coach linebackers, replacing former linebackers coach Rob Ryan, who accepted the Oakland Raiders defensive coordinator’s job this month.

The team also shifted Pepper Johnson to defensive line coach in moves announced Wednesday. Johnson had been the Patriots inside linebackers coach since 2001.

Pees arrives in New England after 24 years coaching college football.

“He brings a wealth of experience from his extensive background, specifically on the defensive side of the ball,” said New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick.

Pees, a native of Dunkirk, Ohio, began his coaching career as the defensive coordinator/secondary coach for the University of Findlay in 1979.

He was a defensive coordinator at Toledo for three seasons and Michigan State for four years before taking over at Kent State in 1997. Kent State has won 14 games in the last three seasons, more than the school’s total wins in the previous decade.

In December, after a 5-7 season, Pees signed a one-year contract extension through 2006.

The school did not immediately name a replacement for Pees, who went 17-51 in six seasons. Offensive coordinator Doug Martin is among the leading candidates to fill the vacancy.