See You Later Guys On The Bottom Of The Patriots' Roster

The prospect of summer ending is always rough-no matter how old you are-when you live in New England with our unforgiving winters but on the other hand, watching the Patriots' latest regular season roster take shape under Bill Belichick is always similar to viewing a renowned piece of modern art.

With the 4 p.m. deadline coming tomorrow to get down to 75 players, three players' names were leaked as the Patriots trimmed three useless guys to get down to 82 this afternoon. Say goodbye (at least temporarily) to safety Josh Barrett, defensive lineman Gerard Warren and unofficial team mascot Ross Ventrone.

Barrett's limited action on the field last season was nothing short of a disaster. Add to that, he's always injured so he had no chance of making this team with Steve Gregory and rookie Tavon Wilson ahead of him. Warren was cut last year too but returned later in the season so I wouldn't be surprised if they bring the old man back once someone else inevitably goes down on the defensive line. Finally, Ventrone still has practice squad eligibility left (don't ask me how) so you can count on 1000 more transactions with him in 2012. I hope they haven't moved his cot out of one of the team's storage closets since I heard that's where he lives during the season.

Stay tuned tomorrow as I update this with the seven more unlucky guys that get cut. Don't expect any big names or seemingly important players to go. That'll happen after the last preseason game which is on Wednesday at the Giants. We are now less than two weeks away from the start of the 2012 regular season. I had my first (and by far most important) fantasy football draft earlier tonight so I can officially say that it is football season now, that's where my mind is headed.

UPDATE 8/27: Defensive lineman Tim Bulman (a BC High and BC product), wide receiver Donte' Stallworth and fullback Spencer Larsen have reportedly been released with injured tight end Jake Ballard placed on the reserve/PUP list.

The first surprise was that wide receiver Jabar Gaffney was released. Cornerback Will Allen, Larsen and Barrett were all placed on IR. Defensive lineman Myron Pryor was put on the reserve/PUP list. Rookie free agent offensive lineman Markus Zusevics was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list. Finally, the team claimed wide receiver Kerry Taylor off waivers from the Vikings.

UPDATE 8/28: Ventrone cleared waivers so he's now 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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Tom Brady Wins AFC Offensive Player Of The Week For The 3rd Time This Season

For the third time this season and 20th time in his legendary career, Patriots quarterback and icon Tom Brady was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week.

He tied Colts quarterback Peyton Manning for most times winning the award. I know stats are for losers, blah blah blah but it would be cool to see Brady overtake Manning on that one.

In last Saturday's 27-24 comeback win over the Dolphins, Brady was 27-for-46 for 304 yards and one touchdown. He also had two rushing touchdowns (a career-high). By his insane standards, it wasn't his best performance by any means but I guess nobody around the AFC could top it.

Brady has a good chance to break Drew Brees' (formerly Dan Marino's) NFL record for passing yards which the Saints QB set on Monday. Brady sits 190 yards behind Brees and you'd have to think that New Orleans is more likely to sit Brees at some point vs. Carolina on Sunday.

The Pats (12-3) host the Bills (6-9) and like the Saints, the Patriots are trying to lock up home field throughout the NFL playoffs. We all know how much Bill Belichick hates sitting guys and they'll never say it but they care deeply about important records like this.

In scrub Patriots news, and who's scrubbier than Ross Ventrone, came word today that the safety has been signed to New England's practice squad. Would you believe it was his 21st transaction with the team since mid-August? It's a good thing he has no friends or family, otherwise this would be a rough period in his fake life.

New England also signed undrafted rookie defensive end Aaron Lavarias (Idaho) to the practice squad. He was here for the preseason and spent Week 1 on the practice squad before being released on September 14. He later spent time on Detroit's practice squad. He gives some defensive line depth to the practice squad after Alex Silvestro (haha No. 69 on your roster) was promoted last week to the 53-man roster.

UPDATE 12/29: The Silvestro era is over in Foxborough. He was released by the Pats today after playing against the Dolphins last Saturday. If he clears waivers, he's likely to return to the practice squad.

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Patriots-Broncos Injury Report

So anybody else sick of Tim Tebow yet? Only two more days until the New England Patriots (10-3) take on the Denver Broncos (8-5) at Sports Authority Field at Mile High (how pathetic is that new stadium name?) at 4:15 p.m. on Sunday afternoon.

The injury reports came out today for both teams and Patriots safety Patrick Chung (foot) and offensive lineman Sebastian Vollmer (back/foot) are listed as doubtful. With the team flying to Colorado tonight (rather than the usual Friday), it's likely that both will be declared out later this evening.

13 Patriots are listed as questionable: cornerback Kyle Arrington (foot), wide receiver Deion Branch (groin), center Dan Connolly (groin), wide receiver/cornerback Julian Edelman (back), linebacker Dane Fletcher (thumb), safety James Ihedigbo (shoulder), cornerback Devin McCourty (shoulder), wide receiver/safety Matthew Slater (shoulder), linebacker Brandon Spikes (knee), running back Shane Vereen (hamstring), wide receiver Wes Welker (knee), offensive lineman Ryan Wendell (calf) and running back Danny Woodhead (abdomen) are all 50/50 to suit up in this huge game.

As usual, the opposing team of the Pats has an injury list that's much shorter and straightforward. For the Broncos, safety David Bruton (achilles), safety Brian Dawkins (neck) and cornerback Andre Goodman (concussion) are all questionable. With any luck, Tebow will perform a few miracles and make sure they are all ready to play on Sunday as Denver goes for its seventh straight win.

I'll let you know tomorrow and before kickoff on Sunday who else is out for both teams. I'm so tired of all the hype for this one, hopefully it lives up to its impossible expectations.

Also today, Patriots defensive end Andre Carter was fined $15,000 by the NFL for his personal foul on Redskins quarterback Rex Grossman last Sunday.

We can debate all day about how defensive players basically can't hit the quarterback anymore but you have to admit that this is not surprising since the game has been called this way the last few years.

This was the second time this season that Carter has been fined by the league.

UPDATE 12/17: Just when you forgot about Ross Ventrone, he's been re-signed by the Patriots and added to the 53-man roster, replacing Williams. Watch him make a huge play on Tebow tomorrow, haha if that happens I think my head might explode.

Branch, Vereen, Spikes, Chung and Vollmer were all downgraded to out for tomorrow as well.

UPDATE 12/18: Ryan Mallett and Nick McDonald are the other Patriots that are out today. For the Broncos, Dawkins is the only notable player that is out.

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Edelman Named AFC Special Teams Player Of The Week

Julian Edelman turned in one of the best games of his NFL career on Monday night as he had a 72-yard punt return for a touchdown in New England's 34-3 whitewashing of Kansas City.

For that play, his second career punt return that he took back for a score, he was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week. Let's not forget that Edelman also played a bunch of snaps on defense (at cornerback/safety) as well, making a tackle in the win.

I wish I could be a honk and say that I knew Edelman had this type of performance in him but I can't. He's a marginal player that frankly is lucky to have a spot on this team. Especially considering his ahem legal troubles on Halloween.

Moving on, I don't know why I even bother keep track of this shit but safety Ross Ventrone was released last night (his 17th transaction this season, for all those living in your mom's basement). Today, offensive lineman Donald Thomas (who was released on Monday to make room for Ventrone) was resigned to the 53-man roster and cornerback Josh Victorian was resigned to the practice squad (taking Ventrone's place).

I'm pretty sure that Ventrone lives in Belichick's office, under his desk or something. It's the only possible explanation.

The most important news of the day was that left tackle Matt Light was seen walking around the Patriots locker room today without a boot or crutches. That comes after he left Monday's game with what looked like a serious ankle injury. He was in a boot afterwards when he talked to reporters.

If Light can't play on Sunday against the Eagles, expect man mountain rookie Nate Solder to take his starting spot.

UPDATE 11/24 Happy Thanksgiving!: Some Patriots-Eagles injury news happened today since both teams practiced on the holiday. Pats rookie linebacker Jeff Tarpinian went on IR with a shady illness/head injury. Niko Koutouvides figures to take Tarpinian's role on special teams and the occasional start.

With the roster spot open, New England resigned wide receiver Tiquan Underwood while cornerback Josh Victorian was released from the practice squad. You know who took Victorian's place? Well Ross Ventrone of course.

Without question, the biggest news of the day was that Eagles cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha was carted off from practice with a possibly serious knee injury. Philadelphia is already missing cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (ankle injury) so if Asomugha is also out, that means that Tom Brady and the Pats passing game could shred them on Sunday.

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Underrated Great Story For The Patriots Plus A Cameo By Ross Ventrone

Today at 4 p.m. was the deadline for players to be activated off the reserve/non-football injury list. The Patriots made a corresponding move by activating rookie offensive lineman Marcus Cannon.

You might have forgotten his story but the 2011 fifth-round draft choice out of TCU is in full remission after being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. He returned to practice last month and his three-week window expired today.

New England had the choice to either put him on the 53-man roster or place him on season-ending IR. To make room for him on the roster, safety Ross Ventrone was cut for the 10 millionth time in the past month. Also, rookie cornerback Malcolm Williams was added to the practice squad. He takes Ventrone's place after the safety was added to the roster for Sunday's game against the Jets.

When you are reading the tenth sappy story about Cannon in the next week, remember where you were first reminded about his amazing journey: here. He's certainly an easy guy to root for and since he's healthy enough to contribute, he could see playing time at any point in the rest of the season.

UPDATE 11/17: Ventrone is back on the practice squad while cornerback Josh Victorian was released off the practice squad to make room for the envy of NFL scrubs everywhere.

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Enjoy The Bye Week Ross Ventrone & Sterling Moore But Please Keep Your Phones On

The New England Patriots bye week has begun and with it, they have already made a few roster moves in anticipation of injured players returning before their next game Sunday, October 30 in Pittsburgh.

Now that six weeks have gone by in the 2011 NFL season, players that started on the PUP (physically unable to perform) list are eligible to start returning. For New England, that means defensive linemen Ron Brace and Brandon Deaderick along with rookie offensive lineman Marcus Cannon and iconic running back Kevin Faulk can start practicing and could even play against the Steelers if all goes well.

Safety Ross Ventrone and cornerback Sterling Moore were both released although they each are eligible for the practice squad (which has one empty spot since Moore was promoted this past weekend).

Apparently Moore played on special teams (punt return) vs. Dallas yesterday but I can't say I saw him. He might have been out there or not, who knows other than him and his relatives plus the Patriots special teams coach?

I am certain that Ventrone had been playing on all four special teams units (kickoff return, kickoff coverage, punt return, punt coverage) and I almost spit out my dinner last night when I realized he had subbed in when the Cowboys were near the goalline. Luckily Dallas and its quarterback Tony Romo were too dumb to notice that scary fact.

Enjoy the time off guys but remember that you'll more than likely be needed in some capacity next week when the team fully reconvenes at Gillette Stadium.

UPDATE: 10/18 The Pats re-signed cornerback Philip Adams while Faulk, Deaderick and Brace were taken off the PUP list.

UPDATE 2: 10/19 Ventrone was signed to the 53-man roster while Moore was signed to the practice squad. Their agents (assuming they have them) must be the busiest guys in the NFL, this is absurd.

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Welch Promoted From Practice Squad, Ventrone Released; 3 More Declared Out

As I said last week, you never know what you're going to get in terms of the bottom of the New England Patriots' roster once gameday rolls around.

Today, the Pats announced that offensive lineman Thomas Welch was promoted from the practice squad while safety Ross Ventrone was released (expect him to go back to the practice squad, where he spent the first two weeks of the 2011 season) after getting activated for one week of glory against the Bills.

Welch was a 2010 seventh-round draft pick of New England, who was active in Week 1 against Miami before being released and re-signed to the practice squad (get the picture?).

With Sebastian Vollmer out tomorrow against the Oakland Raiders, rookie Nate Solder is expected to start at right tackle and Welch will add some depth to the offensive linemen.

Ventrone's release likely signals that safety Patrick Chung is healthy enough to play after missing last weekend's game in Buffalo with a hand injury. This is a good thing, the Patriots desperately need his playmaking ability and hard hits. Hell if he can tackle, he'll be a huge improvement over Josh Barrett and Sergio Brown.

The other roster news that broke today is that cornerbacks Leigh Bodden (groin) and Ras-I Dowling (hip) have been declared out for tomorrow. Albert Haynesworth is also out, meaning that New England will need to designate one more inactive before kickoff against Oakland.

Devin McCourty will start opposite either Kyle Arrington (it's gotta be him) or Antwaun Molden. Phillip Adams will be coming off the bench as a substitute for the cornerbacks.

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The New England Patriots Never Sleep, But You Already Knew That

I know they're out there but if you're a hardcore New England Patriots fan, I don't know how ignore Twitter and blogs since it's the only way to keep up with all the moving parts during the week between games.

I can imagine there are many casual fans (aka pink hats) that just turn on Patriots games on Sundays and Mondays and say, "who is that?" Well that's one of the reasons why we're here, to help you keep track of the constant transactions for our favorite NFL team.

On the heels of tight end Dan Gronkowski's release yesterday and linebacker Jeff Tarpinian's promotion to the active roster from the practice squad, comes the news today: safety Ross Ventrone has been promoted from the practice squad and linebacker A.J. Edds (who was released on Friday) has been signed to the practice squad.

So what to make of all these minor moves? The Patriots are comfortable playing the Bills tomorrow with only one tight end (Rob Gronkowski) while Aaron Hernandez is expected to sit with a knee injury. It's time for Chad Ochocinco to step up since he figures to see many more passes coming his way against Buffalo.

Tarpinian and Ventrone are thought to be further help/depth on special teams one of the few spots where Buffalo usually excels. In addition, Ventrone could see some bigger playing time if Patrick Chung isn't ready to go (he supposedly had surgery on his thumb this week).

Finally, punter Zoltan Mesko is expected to play tomorrow so New England didn't bring in any other punters to take his place. Safety James Ihedigbo fell into Mesko's knee last week against San Diego during a punt. You can all breath a sigh of relief, looks like the Zoltan is healthy.

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