Patriots' Coates Pleads Not Guilty

New England Patriots tight end Ben Coates pleaded innocent Monday to domestic abuse charges in Wrentham District Court.

Coates, 28, was arrested at his Franklin home Sunday night for allegedly beating a girlfriend, police said.

The 27-year-old woman was treated and released from the hospital, Franklin police said.

"He is absolutely innocent," defense lawyer Peter Barlow said.

Coates, free on $500 bail, declined to speak to reporters after his arraignment. It was unclear whether the 6-foot-5-inch, 245-pound Coates would attend training camp later in the day.

It was not clear whether the woman was Coates' current girlfriend. A police report said she went to his home because she suspected he was having an affair and spotted an unknown car in his driveway.

Coates allegedly became enraged and began arguing with the woman, the report said.

Coates then allegedly shoved the woman several times, slammed her against the hood of a car and said, "I'll knock you out," according to a statement the woman gave to police.

Coates told police he pushed the woman to defend himself. He said they were not dating anymore.

Patriots spokesman Dan Lowrey attended the court appearance and said coach Pete Carroll would address reporters at a previously scheduled news conference later in the day at the team's training camp in Smithfield, R.I.

Coates is married and has three children, but they live in North Carolina during training camp and the regular season, said Patriots vice president Don Lowery, who attended the court appearance.

Coates, who earned All-Pro recognition in each of the past two seasons and was selected to the Pro Bowl in each of the past four seasons, is the highest paid tight end in the NFL. In 1994, he set an NFL record for receptions by a tight end with 96. He is heading into his eighth seasowith the Patriots.

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