Patriots Keep Collecting Backup Tight Ends Like They're Going Out Of Style; UPDATE: Bye Chad!

With OTAs back in full swing, the New England Patriots continue to shuffle bodies in and out of Foxborough before the real action starts later this summer (training camp, preseason).

Today, they announced the signing of veteran tight end Bo Scaife. In addition, three players were released: second-year defensive end Markell Carter (a 2011 6th round draft pick) and rookie free agents tight end Nick Melillo and offensive lineman Jon Opperud.

You'll remember Scaife from his years at the University of Texas (with Vince Young as his quarterback) then he was reunited with VY in Tennessee. He was a sixth round pick of the Titans in 2005 (179th overall) and played there until 2010. Scaife was with the Cincinnati Bengals last season but didn't see the field in the regular season after hurting his shoulder in the preseason.

For his career, Scaife has 251 catches for 2383 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. His best season was 2008 for Tennessee when he played in all 16 games (only 7 starts) and made 58 catches for 561 yards and two touchdowns. At this point in his career and with this roster, he's only fighting for the third tight end spot with Daniel Fells behind Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez (who as we all know is far from a typical tight end).

Carter was a project that never panned out at all and I had never heard of the two rookies so I can't say they'll be missed. In other Patriots news, it was reported today that Andre Carter has been working out at Gillette during the offseason. Now all the Pats have to do is sign him (assuming he's healthy enough from his quad surgery). With the moves today, there are two roster spots open on the 90-man roster so there's a good chance Andre Carter will be back.

UPDATE 6/7: Yes! After rumblings on Twitter earlier this afternoon comes word that the Pats tried unsuccessfully to trade Chad Johnson and now they're just releasing him. I am pumped since his time here was nothing short of a complete disaster. A guy that can only make 15 catches in that offense doesn't deserve anything more than a line or two after one completely forgettable season. Maybe now he can concentrate even more on his shitty reality shows since I think his NFL career is over (although some stupid team will probably bring him in).

UPDATE 6/18: Scaife and offensive lineman Mike Ingersoll were released today.

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The Saga (Of Ross Ventrone) Continues

It feels weird to say it since the loss in Super Bowl 46 is still so fresh (it was only two nights ago) but the New England Patriots have officially begun their offseason.

Today, the team made its first moves since the Super Bowl as they signed seven guys to futures contracts. In addition, head coach Bill Belichick also announced what we all knew already: that Josh McDaniels will be the offensive coordinator next season. I'm so excited about that, I think I might drive Bill O'Brien to Happy Valley (home of Penn State). Good luck with that Bill!

The guys signed were mostly practice squad heroes but its headlined by wide receiver Tiquan Underwood-who will forever be known as the guy cut on the eve of the Super Bowl-and safety Ross Ventrone. The other five are linebacker Markell Carter, wide receiver Britt Davis, offensive lineman Matt Kopa, defensive end Aaron Lavarias and linebacker Mike Rivera.

It promises to be a busy offseason for the Patriots. The 2012 NFL Draft combine is back in Indy in a few weeks (starting Feb. 22), free agency opens on March 13 and the Draft itself begins on April 26. I mention that since New England possesses two first-round and two second-round picks. Let's all start thinking positive thoughts that they'll use all of those or package them to move up for once, rather than trade down like always.

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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 Sign Two Draft Picks You Forgot About/Never Heard Of

In case you're heading out to the start of Patriots training camp tomorrow morning at Gillette Stadium or just watching the highlights on TV, here's a primer on two of the more obscure players that you'll see wearing Patriots uniforms.

The Patriots signed their first two rookies from the 2011 draft class. Fifth-round pick Lee Smith, a tight end from Marshall and sixth-round pick Markell Carter, a outside linebacker/defensive end from Central Arkansas.

Selected 159th overall, Smith was given an allocation of $2.29 million. He's primarily known for his blocking abilities which means he could spell greybeard Alge Crumpler (New England's blocking tight end) while he gets in shape during training camp and the preseason.

Crumpler, Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski are three offensive leaders for the Pats but they also carry lesser known tight ends like Carson Butler, fellow rookie Will Yeatman (signed on Monday) and Smith. Barring a terrible camp or an injury, Smith seems to have the inside track should Belichick choose to go with four tight ends (they carried mostly three last season).

Interestingly enough, Carter agreed to a four-year deal though terms weren't disclosed. His slot where he was drafted possesses a $2.19 million allocation.

With Tully Banta-Cain gone and the team's lack of a pass rush, Carter was the only front seven draft pick for the Patriots in 2011. He has to make the transition from a 4-3 defensive end to a 3-4 linebacker but you can't say the position is exactly loaded.

Rob Ninkovich, Jermaine Cunningham, Eric Moore and Marques Murrell are the only four guys that play that vital position. Hopefully the Patriots can strike gold with Carter. It's a success if he makes the roster, let alone does anything notable in his career here.

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