Sigh of relief

All of Patriot Nation can finally breathe again after the unveiling of the physically unable to perform list. According to The Boston Globe, the reason why there's so many players on PUP is to not over-work them so they perform well for the whole season. Already rookie running back BenJarivs Green-Ellis was removed from the list. And offensive tackle Nick Kaczur returned to the field as well.

Besides avoiding over-working veterans, it gives the back-ups more chances to work and make an impression.

One person who got some props in place of OLB Mike Vrabel was OLB Pierre Woods. Belichick credited Woods with improved performance. If that's the case, I'd say it's about time. In comparison, former Pat and current San Francisco 49er Tully Banta-Cain was ahead of Pierce in regards to his development. By his second year, TBC was embarrassing reserve tackles during the preseason. And when Banta-Cain was pressed into duty because of injury, he had a respectable season, producing 5.5 sacks.

Woods isn't there as of right now. I do wonder if he will become a productive pass rusher. The most recent memory of Woods is New York Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw stripping Woods of a fumble that Pierre landed on top of during the Super Bowl. I hope to see Woods do things to make me forget that missed opportunity. If not, Shawn Crable might be breathing down his neck real soon.

Other developments is the rookie CBs quickly moving up the depth chart. Second round pick Terrance Wheatley played with the first unit while Jonathan Wilhite got a lot of snaps as the third corner. It's too early to read into it and believe they will remain with the first group.

As a note, Wheatley was starting in place of Jason Webster. Webster has missed a few practices already. Here's more about the former Buffalo Bill:

Webster is a journeyman corner on his his fourth team in his eight-year career.

Originally drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the second round out of Texas A&M, Webster started 44 of 53 games played for San Fran, totaling seven interceptions and 18 passes defensed. Thanks to that performance Atlanta signed Webster to a lucrative contract worth $18 million over six years in 2004.

Injuries kept Webster from living up to the contract he signed with the Falcons as Atlanta cut Webster after three seasons. He finished with four interceptions and 16 passed defensed with Atlanta.

Webster signed a one-year deal with Buffalo to shore up the Bills' secondary but injuries once again curtailed Webster's season, as he played in one game.