Cuts and a bust

We are a day closer to knowing who will be on the final roster. 14 players were cut, two placed on injured reserve, and one on the reserve/injured list. It goes as follows:

Cuts:DL Titus Adams, CB Fernando Bryant, TE Tyson DeVree, S Mark Dillard, C Mike Flynn, RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis, QB Matt Gutierrez, LB Victor Hobson, LB Vince Redd, CB Mike Richardson, T Stephen Sene, S Antwain Spann, DL Santonio Thomas, G John Welbourn

Injured Reserve: LB Bo Rudd, DL Kenny Smith

Reserve/Injured: OT Oliver Ross

Two cuts caught my attention. Bryant started all preseason, but his performance wasn't enough. I think it was the first preseason game where it seemed several passes were completed in front of Bryant. I was thinking it was due to a very vanilla defense with a play it safe approach. Considering the only interception came from the LB position, I felt the secondary on the whole didn't make plays. But Bryant didn't show enough, yet Lewis Sanders made the roster. I didn't notice Sanders, but it's not just what they do in games, the performance during camp matters as well. There's a good chance something we didn't see was the difference, though I do think the fact that former Patriots defensive coordinator and current Cleveland Browns head coach Romeo Crennel coached Sanders for a couple of years. If Crennel praised Sanders in a conversation with New England head coach Bill Belichick, those words carry a lot of value to Belichick.

The other surprise departure was Gutierrez. It wasn't by much, but I thought Gutz was better than Cassel in games. Kevin O'Connell was better than both. But there's only room for one developmental QB on the roster. There is an outside shot that Gutierrez could be added to the practice squad. Cassel has been in the league too long to be eligible for the practice squad. This is only Gutierrez's second year. He was great in the 2007 preseason and there's a chance the Pats haven't completely given up on him.

What's surprising is they have just four pure cornerbacks on the roster: Ellis Hobbs, Sanders, Terrence Wheatley, and Jonathan Wilhite. I can't imagine that this will stay as-is by September seventh. I heard Ty Law signed with Atlanta, but it's not like he was the best out there. Other appealing players came available Saturday. It's the free agent route or N.E. use safetys Brandon Merriweather and Matt Slater as slot corners.

For those shown the door, a handful of youngstas shouldn't pack their bags just yet. Besides Gutierrez, I think Green-Ellis, Redd, Richardson, and Thomas will make the practice squad.

Let me congratulate LB Gary Guyton, WR C.J. Jones, and WR Ray Ventrone for defying the odds and making the active roster (for now). If you're cut in favor of a veteran signing, keep your head up as you can be brought back more than once. Just ask Troy Brown.

One last thing. I expected the Patriots to keep five running backs and we will see the value of that depth in game one. Kevin Faulk will be suspended for game one for being in possession of marijuana at a Lil' Wayne concert. Expect LaMont Jordan to assume the role of third down back in Faulk's absence.