Not your typical cut down day.
New England was busy, not just paring down the roster, but they made a couple of trades with the intention of improving the blocking on run plays it appears.
10 players were shown the door: WR Terrance Nunn, DLs Darryl Richard and Titus Adams, OLs Ryan O’Callahan and Wesley Britt, LB Paris Lenon, DBs Herana-Daze Jones and Jabar Love, TE Alex Smith, and WR Ray Ventrone.
Three players were placed on injured reserve: LB Shawn Crable (again), RB Chris Taylor, and OL George Bussey.
The surprise was a pair of trades. TE David Thomas was sent to New Orleans for an undisclosed draft pick. Because Thomas played the roll of fullback during the preseason, I figured his chances of staying were very good. But the Pats took a measure to improve on the role Thomas played.
In his place is TE Michael Matthews, acquired for an unknown draft pick from the Giants. At 6-4 270, Matthews is a blocking tight end. He will clear the path when lined up in front of the running back or when motioning behind the O-line.
From this list I expect Nunn, Richard and Adams to be signed to the practice squad a few days from now. Crable and Taylor should consider themselves lucky. If they weren’t injured, they probably would had been cut and looking for work.
Questions? Comments? Send to talktome@randolphc.com.Keywords: Alex Smith, Darryl Richard, David Thomas, George Bussey, Herana-Daze Jones, Jabar Love, Michael Matthews, New England Patriots, Paris Lenon, Ray Ventrone, Ryan O'Callahan, Shawn Crable, Terrance Nunn, Titus Adams, Wesley Britt
