From The Department Of Depressing News: Andre Carter Is Done For The Season

Ryan and I both alluded to it in our game recaps from yesterday's Patriots-Broncos game but now, we will write something which I'm sure New England won't confirm until after it has happened (if at all): defensive end Andre Carter is done for the season with a quad injury.

Carter's agent (as good a source as any) was quoted as saying that the left quad injury will require surgery. Then Carter tweeted "Thank you for showing me and my family support this season. It's been a blast. Wouldn't change it for anything."

As I said last night, this is a very serious injury for the Patriots defense which we all know is the worst in the NFL in terms of yardage given up per game. Carter was New England's best free agent pickup this offseason (light years ahead of Albert Haynesworth or Chad Johnson); he had 52 tackles, 10 sacks, two forced fumbles and one pass defensed through the first 13 games and looked poised to make the Pro Bowl and more importantly be a vital member of a playoff team (something he rarely experienced in his stellar career).

With 22 tackles, nine sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one pass defensed, Mark Anderson is the player that will be used most to replace Carter's pass rush pressure. In a bigger role yesterday, Anderson delivered with his best game of the season (2 sacks, forced fumble, fumble recovery). The Patriots will need him to provide consistent pressure to keep quarterbacks honest. Otherwise, as usual, quarterbacks will have plenty of time to pick apart the Patriots piss poor secondary.

Rookie Markell Carter has languished all season on the practice squad so it's time to activate him and see if the raw but talented guy from a small school can do anything to help this team in the 2011 NFL playoffs when they will play better quarterbacks and better squads.

UPDATE 12/19: A source says Carter could be moved to IR as soon as Tuesday.

UPDATE 12/20: Carter went on IR today with "a leg injury" and the Pats signed defensive lineman Cedric McKinley to the practice squad. They still have a spot open on the 53-man roster with only five days before their game against Miami on Saturday at Gillette Stadium.

In a somewhat surprising move, defensive end Eric Moore was released today. Another sign that Markell Carter will be added to the roster.

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Patriots-Redskins Injury Report

You know that the New England Patriots (9-3) haven't had a big game in weeks since it seems like nobody is talking about them at the moment.

With the NBA's bumbling moves and the Bruins in full swing not to mention the holidays around the corner, it is totally understandable why people have mostly stopped paying attention to the Pats during the weeks between games.

This Sunday should be no different than the last few games because New England plays at the Washington Redskins (4-8). You remember who Washington's quarterback is right? None other than Rex Grossman and if he should get hurt or falter, John Beck is his backup. So yeah, that's why nobody should fear Mr. Tan himself Mike Shannon or his garbage team that is playing out the string as usual.

As far as injuries go, Washington's list is a short one. Defensive tackle Chris Baker (quad) and safety LaRon Landry (groin) have both been declared out. Everybody else on their injury report is probable and I don't bother to mention those. Let's also not forget two of their best players: left tackle Trent Williams and tight end Fred Davis, who will miss Sunday's game and the rest of the season due to failing a drug test (reportedly for marijuana).

The Patriots have declared offensive tackle Sebastian Vollmer (back/foot) out. Linebacker Jermaine Cunningham (hamstring), who you probably forgot still existed, is doubtful. Following the pattern of the last few weeks, Bill Belichick has listed a double-digit amount of Patriots players (12 this time) as questionable.

Cornerback Kyle Arrington (foot), safety Patrick Chung (foot), center Dan Connolly (groin), wide receiver/cornerback Julian Edelman (back), linebacker Dane Fletcher (thumb), safety James Ihedigbo (shoulder), cornerback Devin McCourty (shoulder), wide receiver Matthew Slater (shoulder), linebacker Brandon Spikes (knee), running back Shane Vereen (hamstring), offensive lineman Ryan Wendell (calf) and running back Danny Woodhead (abdomen) are all theoretically 50/50 to play at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday at FedEx Field.

The players I'll be keeping an eye on the most for New England that are questionable have to be Chung and Spikes. They've both missed big chunks of time and are two of the Patriots most talented defensive players. New England's playoff hopes will likely fall on their shaky defense to make a few plays/stops here and there. Those are guys that can get that done.

I'll update this tomorrow and/or Sunday when I hear who is going to be out as well for both teams.

Another note: Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo was fined $25,000 on Friday for his hit on Colts quarterback Dan Orlovsky. Apparently, he hit him in the head or neck area but since there was no penalty on the play, I honestly don't remember it. This was the biggest fine received by a Patriot so far this season.

UPDATE 12/10: The Pats have resigned defensive lineman Eric Moore, who was on the team for a while last season, and placed Cunningham on IR. Moore was signed by New England at this time last season and even though he was completely unknown, he was a solid pass rusher (something they desperately needed).

He was cut in training camp so he's spent the season with Virginia's UFL team. Some thought rookie defensive end Markell Carter would be activated off the practice squad but apparently Belichick doesn't think the raw project is quite ready yet.

Cornerback Sterling Moore was released and cornerback Malcolm Williams was activated from the practice squad. Also, Chung (5th straight game), Connolly, Spikes and Vereen.

UPDATE 12/11: Third quarterback Ryan Mallett and defensive lineman Gerard Warren are the other Patriots who are inactive for today.

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Farwell To The Big Bang Clock As Patriots Cut Down to 53-Man Roster

The rumors had been in the air since training camp started and now it's official: the New England Patriots are done with the Big Bang Clock himself Brandon Meriweather.

The two-time Pro Bowler (what a joke) safety was the biggest named to be cut today as the Pats whittled their roster down to 53 players. By no means is the roster final since the NFL being the way it is and Bill Belichick being how he is, expect a million more moves during the regular season.

To put it simply, Meriweather's time in New England had run out. No doubt, the franchise was sick of his off the field antics not to mention his inconsistent play on it. The former University of Miami star could make a big hit in one series then get torched for a touchdown on the next one.

The fact that Patrick Chung and Sergio Brown figure to be the starters on Monday, September 12 when they open in Miami with Josh Barrett and James Ihedigbo as the likely backups tells you all you need to know about how far Meriweather had fallen.

He played big minutes in the preseason games and appeared clueless (big surprise) that he was on the bubble in terms of the roster. Good riddance, let some other team deal with that clown.

Other players released today with a quick summary of why I think they're gone.

Sammy Morris-Classy veteran got squeezed out after Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley were drafted. A little long in the tooth and injury prone didn't help his chances.

Brandon Tate-Tony Simmons, Chad Jackson, Bethel Johnson. New England always has an obsession with fast receivers who have terrible hands. Predictably Tate's time here ended since they figured out in a few years that he'd probably never be a good receiver. Plus, with the new kickoff rules, his value on kickoffs has mostly vanished there.

Eric Moore-One of the more surprising cuts, the Pats seemed to like him since they brought him in last season. With Andre Carter, Mark Anderson and Shaun Ellis on the team, the need to have Moore was lessened dramatically. He'll find a job somewhere else.

Landon Cohen and Aaron Lavarias-two defensive linemen that were lucky to make it this far. Preseason heroes in every sense of the phrase that I just coined.

Niko Koutouvides-like Ricky Brown (released earlier this weekend), the local product couldn't stick around long enough to make the opening day roster. Too bad.

Markell Carter-rookie will likely be put on the practice squad you'd have to think. Showed some promise and was a late-round pick so don't be shocked to see him stick around.

Tiquan Underwood-Devin McCourty's BFF from Rutgers was a late addition to the team and his most notable contribution was his hightop fade. Kid N'Play must be pissed he is without a job.

Thomas Austin-offensive lineman I've never heard of.

Eric Kettani-no name running back that has already been put on the practice squad.

Ross Ventrone-The Ventrone brothers are like Rudy. Belichick loves them but they'll never do anything in the NFL. The world needs ditchdiggers too.

Alex Silvestro-a defensive end that I never saw do anything. Thanks for coming out.

Lee Smith-not the famous MLB closer, Smith was a bit of a surprise to be cut since the Pats used a middle round draft pick on him.

Will Yeatman-reports indicated that he made the team as a third tight end but I guess not. I'd say he'd be on the practice squad but apparently other teams will snatch him up before then.

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