The Patriots’ Doug Gabriel, right, has the ball stripped away by Victor Hobson of the Jets after catching a pass in a 2006 game.

The Providence Journal / Bob Breidenbach

It’s hard to find big contributors on the free-agent market more than a month after it opened, but the Patriots did just that yesterday, signing former New York Jets linebacker Victor Hobson.

Hobson’s agent, Ken Sarnoff, confirmed yesterday that it is a one-year deal.

“He’s very excited to be a member of the Patriots,” Sarnoff said, declining to disclose the other teams that were interested in signing Hobson.

In 11 games against New England when he was in Jets green, Hobson recorded 42 tackles (32 solo) and three passes defensed, but New York lost 10 of those contests. He was also responsible for hounding former Pats receiver Doug Gabriel into the fumble that ultimately led to Gabriel’s release in Nov. 2006.

“Victor is a good, young player with considerable playing experience,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick said in a statement. “We are excited about his addition to our linebacker unit.”

A second-round pick of the Jets in 2003, Hobson’s size — he’s 6-foot, 252 pounds — would seem to make him a fit at inside linebacker for New England, though he has not played that position with any regularity. In two years under Jets coach Eric Mangini and the 3-4 defense he brought from New England, Hobson played outside.

Regardless of where he ends up on the line, Hobson’s addition gives the Patriots an experienced but younger linebacker to add to their corps. Tedy Bruschi, Mike Vrabel and Adalius Thomas are all over the age of 30, and Junior Seau, if he returns, will be 40 next January.

Also in the mix at the position are Pierre Woods, Eric Alexander and T.J. Slaughter, who was signed in February.

Hobson had a career year in Mangini’s first season with the Jets, 2006, recording 100 tackles and six sacks. But last year, Hobson’s numbers declined to 62 tackles and two sacks.

The 28-year-old, who played for two years with Tom Brady at Michigan, is known as a good locker-room guy and is heavily involved in community work. On his personal Web site, it says Hobson was honored by the Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation in 2006 for his involvement with the organization, which is dedicated to helping families of children with chronic illnesses.

A hard hitter, Hobson apparently doesn’t limit his blows to the football field. He boxes as part of his offseason training, and has become adept at it, particularly under the watchful eye of legendary trainer Teddy Atlas, whom Mangini has work out the Jets once a week during spring sessions.

Hobson wore No. 54 with the Jets, but in New England that jersey belongs to Bruschi.

smanza@projo.com