Patriots Roster Down to 53

The Patriots were active today; especially at the tight-end position. The team cut off season acquisition TE Alex Smith. Also packing their bags was TE David Thomas, who was traded to the New Orleans Saints for an undisclosed draft pick in 2011. More likely than not, that pick was then traded to the Giants for TE Michael Matthews. Matthews, the former undrafted free agent out of Georgia Tech, has played in all 32 games the past two years catching only eight balls. Clearly the 6'4" 270 pound's talents are blocking rather than receiving and the publicized ottom line is his skills in that regard were seen as better than Smith and Thomas. In the end of thetight-end race, Chris Baker will start, Ben Watson will keep his roster spot, and Matthews will be added to the mix. It is a pretty concise group, and we know what we are getting with each player. Ultimately, what we saw from Thomas and how buried Smith was, it seems they made the decision that would best solidify the roster.

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-Shawn Crable for the second straight was placed on IR. The OLB has not translated well the NFL after he led the nation in tackles for a loss at Michigan just three years ago.

-Recently signed half back Chester Taylor was placed on IR after he left the game the other night with an injury. The Houston Texan castoff was unlikely to make the final 53-man roster anyways.

-2009 Seventh round pick DT Darryl Richard out of Georgia Tech was released.

-S/WR Ray Ventrone was cut. If he is not picked up, we could see him resurface. The former Villanova Wildcat is a solid special teams contributor.

-0-16 Detroit Lion castoff Paris Lenon could not handle the backup MLB spot when we needed him most and he was cut today. With Bruschi also gone, the Pats are thin behind Mayo and Gary Guyton.

-2009 Fifth round pick OG George Bussy out of Louisville was placed on IR and O-lineman Wesley Britt and Ryan O'Callaghan were released. Both players were on the team last year. After all of the personnel moves involving offensive lineman recently, the Patriots are working with a backup offensive line consisting of rookies OT Sebastian Vollmer and OG Rich Ohrnberger. Dan Conolly appears to be the backup center and former undrafted FA out of Fesno State G Ryan Wendell appear to round out the backups.

-WR Terrance Nunn, CB Jamar Love, DT Titus Adams, and DB Herana-Daze Jones were cut.

-That is 10 cuts, two trades, and three players placed on IR. 53-man roster complete.

-Add Jeff Garcia to the list of possible back-up QBs. He is old, crusty, and has a history of predominately being in a West Coast Offense, but he still has a strong arm which was evident last year in Tampa. He could be a solid backup.