The purpose of training camp is to sift through the roster and find players while discarding the ones that won’t cut it with the team. New England isn’t wasting time with that process this year, as two players are out, with a third pending, and camp hasn’t even been in session for a week!
Before the first snap of camp, the Patriots placed OLB Shawn Crable on the active-PUP list before cutting him. As camp started, DE Derrick Burgess was MIA as rumors swirl that he’s contemplating retirement. And three days into practices, WR David Patten hung up his cleats, declaring he had enough after a dozen years in the NFL.
It’s far from the end for Crable, a 2008 third round pick that never played a down and spent two years on injured reserve. He could resurface with another team or play in another league, like the CFL or the AFL. It’s not even out of the question that the Pats bring Crable back if Burgess actually hangs it up. Without them, the roster is thin at outside pass rushers with OLBs Tully Banta-Cain, Pierre Woods, DE Rob Ninkovich, and rookie Jermaine Cunningham.
While Burgess Favres (v: to be indecisive between retirement or playing another year), Patten was sure that he was done. Physically David had it in him, but the desire was gone. He walks away with much of his health intact with plenty of opportunities before him. A lot of players aren’t as fortunate as Patten to leave on his own terms and without an injury that will affect his quality of life.
Patten wasn’t nudged out, but in all honesty, his chance of earning a roster spot with New England was going to be tough. Veterans Randy Moss and Wes Welker are locks with Torry Holt very likely to secure a role. And youngsters Brandon Tate, Julian Edelman and Taylor Price have the potential to be great. Matt Slater and Sam Aiken, as effective special teamers, have extra value to the team.
And with three talented tight ends on the roster, the Patriots might sacrifice a wide out to keep veteran Alge Crumpler and rookie Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez.
With the available roster spots, the Patriots signed TE Carson Butler and WR Rod Owens.
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Keywords: Aaron Hernandez, Alge Crumpler, Brandon Tate, Carson Butler, David Patten, Derrick Burgess, Jermaine Cunningham, Julian Edelman, Matt Slater, New England Patriots, Pierre Woods, Randy Moss, Rob Gronkowski, Rob Ninkovich, Rod Owens, Sam Aiken, Shawn Crable, Taylor Price, Torry Holt, Tully Banta-Cain, Wes Welker
