The Pats’ signing of rookie quarterback Kevin O’Connell could lead to the subtraction of Matt Cassel.

The Providence Journal / John Freidah

With the start of training camp two days away, the New England Patriots signed four players yesterday, including their two third-round draft picks.

In the morning, the team announced that it had come to contract agreements with 78th overall pick Shawn Crable and 94th overall pick Kevin O’Connell. Later in the day, it was announced that veteran tackle Anthony Clement and receiver Chris Dunlap had been signed.

The team has yet to come to terms with first-round draft choice Jerod Mayo and second-rounder Terrence Wheatley.

Crable, a 6-foot-5, 243-pounder out of Michigan, will be competing for playing time at outside linebacker. As a senior, Crable set a school record with 28½ tackles for a loss, which ranked him second in the country.

O’Connell, a 6-foot-5, 225 pound former San Diego State Aztec, has been the source of much discussion since being drafted, The Patriots haven’t taken a quarterback that high in the draft since selecting Drew Bledsoe first overall, and speculation is that his arrival means Matt Cassel’s days as Tom Brady’s backup could be numbered.

It is unclear if Clement was signed to put pressure on right tackle Nick Kaczur and top backup Ryan O’Callaghan or if he simply provides veteran depth on the line. The 32-year-old, drafted 36th overall by Arizona in 1998, spent the last two seasons with the Jets and started every game at right tackle during that time.

Dunlap was signed by the Patriots as an undrafted rookie last year and spent training camp with the team before being released on Sept. 1.

•With the 2008 Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremonies 11 days away, the Hall yesterday announced who each of this year’s eight inductees has chosen to present them.

New England linebacker Andre Tippett has selected Patriots owner and chairman Robert Kraft to present him. Kraft purchased the Pats in 1994, the year after Tippett’s retirement, but has maintained a strong relationship with the former star. Tippett works with the franchise in a community-outreach role.

Kraft has the role of giving Tippett his gold Hall blazer on Aug. 1, the night before the enshrinement ceremony.

smanza@projo.com