The New England Patriots pared their roster back today by placing three players on reserve lists and releasing 14 others.  The surprise move of the night was the team’s decision to retain quarterback Matt Cassel while sending quarterback Matt Gutierriez on his way.  That wasn’t the only surprise.

The Patriots decision to part ways with Matt Gutierrez seems a bit illogical when comparing preseason performances of Matt Cassel and Gutierrez.  Gutierrez led the team on more productive drives in each game except the last against New York. The experience Cassel provides obviously was a factor in the decision. but didn’t Gutierrez’s performance warrant the job?

Not according to the team.

Another surprise move was the decision to part ways with starting cornerback Fernando Bryant.  Bryant’s poor showing against the Giants on Thursday night may have contributed to the decision.  Though Bryant made a number of tackles during the evening, it was his decision to play patty-cake with Giants tight end Darcy Johnson, allowing him to stroll into the end zone for a 26-yard touchdown, that likely sealed Bryant’s fate.

"The little dude (Fernando Bryant) tried to tackle me up high and I drove him for a couple of yards," said Darcy after the game. "Especially when I saw the end zone was so close"

The departure of veteran linebacker Victor Hobson — also penciled in as a starter upon his arrival — was among the mild surprises.
 
 

Here is the list of cuts:

PLACED ON THE RESERVE/INJURED LIST

LB Bo Ruud
DL Kenny Smith

 
PLACED ON THE RESERVE/NFI (Non Football Injury) LIST

OT Oliver Ross

RELEASED

DL Titus Adams
DB Fernando Bryant
TE Tyson DeVree
S  Mark Dillard
OC Mike Flynn
RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis
QB Matt Gutierrez
LB Victor Hobson
LB Vince Redd
CB Mike Richardson
OT Stephen Sene
DB Antwain Spann
DL Santonio Thomas
OG John Welbourn

While the guy I think deserved another shot — Mike Richardson — was cut, it’s nice to see that my analysis of CB Lewis Sanders was on the mark.  Sanders outplayed most of the defensive backs on the roster (ok maybe not all), at least  the reserve ones, but then he got hurt..  in Cleveland he was headed to bigger and better things before opting to go for the money in free agency rather than retrun to compete for a role.  A disastrous stint in Houston, lead Sanders back to free agency with hat in had. It was injuries which derailed Sanders career elsewhere, not lack of talent.

Another nice surprise was seeing LB  Gary Guyton make the roster.  I picked him  for the final 53.  Guyton reminds me of Corey Mays, the Notre Dame linebacker the Patriots kept on the roster the same year Pierre Woods enterest the league.  Guyton has plenty of hustle and should have an impact on special teams this season.

I do believe Dante Scarnecchia may have just bitten off more than he can chew this year.  Without Mike Flynn and John Welbourn on the final roster, it will be up to the young players to step up to make something of themselves if injuries keep Neal, Hochstein, Yates and Light out of the lineup.  The play of Wesley Britt has been less-than-inspiring, though I thought during camp he showed as one of the better tackles on the roster. Still, looking at the list of linemen Scarnecchia has to work with, there may not be enough talent to build a solid wall around Tom Brady — certainly not a Giant-proof one. 

Lets see if Dante can get more out of this year’s group heading down the stretch than he could against New York in February, or even this past week.

I should not be remiss in sending a shout out to my sources who spilled the beans on Flynn and  Redd before the official announcement.  Thank You.