Patriots Get Rid Of A Talented Young Cornerback, Wait What?

The Patriots might be in the middle of their bye week but it is also the middle of the 2012 regular season so they are still hard at work in Foxborough.

On the heels of releasing linebacker Bobby Carpenter yesterday, they surprisingly released second-year cornerback Sterling Moore this afternoon. To take their places on the 53-man roster, New England re-signed linebacker Mike Rivera (who has been with the team a couple times) and safety Derrick Martin, who has played six seasons in the NFL most recently with the Giants last year and was with the Pats during training camp. They also terminated the practice squad contract of defensive end/tight end Alex Silvestro.

Moore was an undrafted free agent that the Patriots discovered last season. He had played in all eight games this season (no starts) as a nickel back and made 13 tackles (12 solo) with one fumble forced and one fumble recovered. Considering the fact that he was released twice last season but ended up playing a prominent role in the playoffs means that I doubt they have completely given up on him (he's only 22). I bet they told him to hang tight and he'll be back on the team in a few weeks when someone else goes down or this Martin character proves to be a bum.

UPDATE 11/1: The Pats signed wide receiver Jarred Fayson to the practice squad today. Moore cleared waivers which means he's a free agent. He does have practice squad eligibility left though and New England has one open spot there.

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Patriots Cap A Busy Day At Gillette By Bringing Back Deion Branch

When wide receiver Deion Branch was cut on August 31 as the Patriots trimmed their preseason roster down to 53 players, it was a pretty surprising development. However, I think most smart fans realized there was a good chance that he would be back soon enough this season in Foxborough.

It only took a little more than two weeks (and two games) and I'm happy to report that Branch has reached an agreement to return to New England. Apparently it was such a foregone conclusion that the team left his locker in place at Gillette Stadium. Aaron Hernandez's injury likely was the main catalyst for Branch's return since they'll need to find a way to duplicate Hernandez's production with multiple guys.

At 33, Branch is pretty long in the tooth for an NFL receiver but he put up decent numbers last season: 51 catches for 702 yards and five touchdowns in 15 games. Most importantly, he knows Tom Brady better than probably anyone that has ever played with him. Plus he's an outstanding leader and great teammate so you can always use a guy like that, especially in a time like this with the uncertainty surrounding the Wes Welker/Julian Edelman situation.

To make room for Branch and Kellen Winslow, the Pats released wide receiver Greg Salas, linebacker Mike Rivera and fullback Lex Hilliard. It's not hyperbole to say that those were probably the last three guys on the roster anyway. Salas never played since coming over from St. Louis a few weeks back, Rivera was only on special teams and Hilliard occupies a forgotten position.

It'll be interesting to see how much Branch and Winslow play on Sunday against the Ravens. It's shaping up to be a huge game since both teams are 1-1 and each are coming off a disappointing loss last Sunday. Baltimore has won 20 of its last 21 games at home so it is going to take a special effort from New England to beat them. If I had to put money on it, I would guess that Branch is more likely to see the field since he knows the playbook from last season and this preseason. One would think Winslow will need more time to get up to speed.

UPDATE 9/19: Filling that last roster spot, the Patriots also brought back linebacker Niko Koutouvides. He played in the last 11 regular season games and three playoff games last season. He was a staple of all four special teams units, which were a disaster on Sunday against the Cardinals.

Salas will return to the practice squad according to ESPNBoston.com's Mike Reiss.

UPDATE 9/20: With Salas back, wide receiver Kerry Taylor was released from the practice squad.

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The Only Thing Notable On Thursday Night At Gillette: Dane Fletcher Tore His Left ACL

Like every other red-blooded American, I know that the NFL is king and I am thrilled that the regular season starts in one month. However, stories from training camp and viewing preseason games is about as interesting to me as watching paint dry then talking about it for weeks on end.

New England opened its 2012 preseason tonight at Gillette Stadium against New Orleans and though the Patriots won 7-6, that's the furthest thing from my mind. The only thing I will takeaway from this exhibition is that linebacker Dane Fletcher is likely done for the season after reportedly tearing his left ACL.

He got hurt playing special teams so if he misses 2012, that means that Bobby Carpenter, Jeff Tarpinian and Mike Rivera all have a better shot of making the 53-man roster. Fletcher is entering his third season and he would have been a valuable reserve since he can play middle linebacker (where he started tonight) and special teams. Still, he had 32 tackles last season in 10 games (5 starts) so he's certainly replaceable. I'm not ripping the guy at all but if he's the biggest injury the Patriots suffer in the preseason, that's great news.

The other guy banged up in the game was wide receiver Britt Davis, who caught a 3-yard touchdown from Brian Hoyer in the third quarter. Late in the fourth quarter, he appeared to hurt his shoulder after a Saints defender fell on it after tackling him to the ground. There is basically no shot that he will make the team so this has no impact whatsoever. Still, I hope he's alright.

Bill Belichick has already given the team tomorrow and Saturday off since they don't play again until Monday, August 20 vs. Philadelphia. That game is back at Gillette and it is the second of four preseason games. Ugh, the real games can't come soon enough. Preseason football is terrible to watch with all the scrubs doing what they do (not much) on the field.

UPDATE 8/13: Ouch, both Fletcher and Davis were waived today by the Patriots.

UPDATE 8/14: Fletcher cleared waivers so he went back to the Pats who put him on IR.

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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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