Roster Cut Reaction; Alfonzo Dennard's future in NE

Today, at approximately 5:45PM EST, the Patriots announced the mandatory roster moves that would bring them in accordance with the league’s mandated 75-man roster limit. While there were few surprises, the release of WR Jabar Gaffney highlights an otherwise unsurprising list of cuts.

The Patriots released:

                DL Tim Bulman

                DL Gerard Warren

                S Ross Ventrone

                WR Donte’ Stallworth

                WR Jabar Gaffney

Early Monday, reports circulated that the Patriots would part ways with NFL journeyman Donte’ Stallworth. This move was a sure fire indication that Jabar Gaffney had secured a role with the Patriots for 2012. However, this was not the case as the Patriots later announced that they would part with one of Brady’s favorite targets between 2006-08.

One of the more surprising moves (or lack thereof) was the Patriots not releasing DB Alfonzo Dennard. With Dennard being injured for all but 3 Training Camp practices, and CB Marquice Cole seeing extended playing time in Week 3 vs. Tampa Bay, Dennard being cut was nearly a done deal. What would have been an unfortunate fate for Dennard turns into a second chance for the 7^th-round draft pick out of Nebraska. Dennard will have to make a case for his place on the 53-man roster in one game vs. the New York Giants on Wednesday.

Patriots release WR Donte' Stallworth

Among the cavalcade of transactions for the Patriots on Monday - including the release of FB Spencer Larsen and the extension of TE Aaron Hernandez – none comes as more of a surprise/disappointment than the release of WR Donte’ Stallworth.

Given the logjam at Wide Receiver this offseason, it was understood that Stallworth may be a bubble player at the final cut to the 53-man roster. Competing with Deion Branch would prove to be an insurmountable task, as Branch has a long-standing rapport with Tom Brady. On the other end, Stallworth was also up against Jabar Gaffney, another favorite of Brady. Gaffney was also a specialist in Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels’ offenses from 2006-08.

Though Stallworth had proved himself worthy with the Patriots – he led the league in Yards After Catch during the Patriots record-breaking 2007 season – reclaiming his spot in New England was an uphill battle from the start. Stallworth has proven to be the type of player who does many things well. Unfortunately, Bill Belichick has loaded the receiver’s unit with a number of players who each do one task very well. In short, each receiver on the roster can do one specific skill better than Stallworth. This, of course, left Stallworth with no leverage in his case to make the Patriots’ roster.

There is hope for those who saw the good in Stallworth this year. This offseason, he was good to the media, and the media was good to him. Stallworth carried himself like a textbook veteran throughout camp, coaching up the younger receivers and refining his skills with the older guys. While his release is definite, don’t be surprised at all if the Patriots bring him back midway throughout the season.  

DL Warren released; Carter to the Patriots?

On Sunday night, less than 24 hours prior to when the league’s mandatory 75-man roster goes into effect, the Patriots announce the release of 3 players:  DL Gerard Warren, S Josh Barrett, and DB Ross Ventrone.

While Barrett and Ventrone come as little surprise (Don’t worry - Ventrone will be re-signed and released another 13 times), the release of veteran DL Gerard Warren is a cause for confusion.

Sure, the defense has been a bright spot this training camp – with veterans growing into form and younger guys learning very quickly – but depth has been crucial to the Belichick era. With the release of Warren, the Patriots lose a bit of that defensive depth they've touted this offseason.

Gerard Warren has been a veteran of the Patriots defense for the past few years, providing guidance and tutelage to the many faces that have graced this roster throughout his tenure here. As the defense cultivates its image this season, it seems only necessary to keep Warren on board for the changing-of-the-guard. His leadership would’ve been crucial in keeping this young group of guys in check throughout this season. Maturity and accountability were two points that highlighted the defenses’ woes in 2009, and proved to be chronic in the following years.

There are a few directions we can take this: The Patriots released Warren as a formality to make room for another player, with the hopes of resigning him later. On the other hand, we can make the case that the departure of Warren signals a rekindling of the Patriots on-again, off-again interest in DE Andre Carter. Carter, who suffered a season-ending knee injury vs. Washington in 2011, remains one of the top defensive free agents on the market. Despite this, he has not courted much interest during the offseason and camp. Carter proved to be a staple in an otherwise lackluster 2011 defense, compiling 10 sacks in 14 games. The main issue seems to lie within his rehabilitation and whether or not he can return to form at his age. At 33, Carter is over the hill of his NFL career, and loses the leverage he once held at the negotiating table.

Despite the loss of Warren, the Patriots have many options on the roster and in free agency, and are far from going into damage control on the defensive side of the ball. 

Halftime Report vs Buccaneers

At the Half, the Patriots trail the Buccaneers, 20-7

Some quick thoughts from the first half:

Pass Rush

The Patriots’ pass rush has been a mixed bag of eye candy this preseason – a year in which nearly every player has played a vital role in doing their job and being in position to make a play. It’s safe to say this will be the new status quo in New England, as the defense has seemed to turn a corner this offseason.

The Good, the Bad, the Ridley

RB Stevan Ridley has proven his explosiveness as a runner, but also raises some concern with blocking. On multiple occasions during the first half, Ridley botched his assignments on passing plays, causing a few errant throws. It’s a must for Ridley to understand the NFL’s sophisticated blocking schemes to earn a full-time spot in the NFL.

Pass Blocking

Speaking of pass-blocking, this line needs to step up and protect Brady and they needed it yesterday. The offense simply cannot afford to have Brady hit in open space. As the second quarter progressed, we saw Brady rushing his throws and, really, knocking the offense out of it’s rhythm. This is a need that must be addressed before the season begins.

3-Step Dropbacks: What to watch for vs. Eagles

The Patriots kick off their second preseason game tonight, an exhibition against the Philadelphia Eagles. There isn’t much ado about tonight’s contest – the biggest story being that Tom Brady will not play against the Eagles. This is more or less a precautionary move, as the Patriots will embark on a road trip following tonight’s game that will include away games against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New York Giants. At the end of the preseason, the Patriots will have played 3 games within a span of 10 days. Thus, the majority of New England’s firepower should be on the sideline tonight.

Here are three things to watch for in the Eagles Patriots preseason game.

The Backup Quarterback position

                Of course I’m watching the backups tonight. Of course I am. I’ve opened my last two articles with discussing the backup quarterbacks, and tonight is no different.  After spending last week praising Ryan Mallett, he made me look like a fool out here. He wasn’t awful, but the battle for the number 2 spot could be a lot more difficult than once assumed. I could be completely wrong - Brian Hoyer has been trusted with leading the Patriots offense in Brady’s absence – could he be the best fit for this offense?

The Offensive Line

                Not much has changed from last week – minus the fact that Patriot Nation is absolutely appalled. Seriously, what happened there?  To their credit, they paved the way for some big plays by Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen  - though many of us had called it a night by the time they got it going. With Logan Mankins back, and nine days of OL Coach Dante Scarnecchia ripping into the guys after an abysmal preseason opener, expect to see this unit bounce back.

The Coaching

                With the backups in, this is a prime opportunity for Coach Belichick to install some of the bubble plays – plays that the team may be on the fence about. The honest part of this is that this where the makeup of the team is cultivated. The fun part is that onlookers such as myself may get a chance to see some fun trick plays – maybe a flea-flicker or a bootleg here or there.

Stay logged into Reign Over New England throughout Pats Camp for 3 Step-Dropbacks, A rapid-fire style of reporting that will highlight 3 key areas of the many topics that surround this Patriots squad. Follow @ReignOverNE on Twitter to keep up!

3-Step Dropbacks: What To Watch For vs. Saints

It’s finally here: After six long months of pacing the room, wondering how Wes dropped that catch, and how Manningham pulled in that pass in double coverage, I – we – can finally put it all behind us. We as Patriot Nation can look forward to another year of football. The Patriots stand on the precipice of a long and grueling battle to defend their title as AFC Champions, and they are armed with the personnel to make it happen.

Continuing with the 3-Step Dropbacks series, here are 3 situations to watch for in Thursday’s preseason opener vs. the New Orleans Saints.

QB Ryan Mallett

For the second week in a row, I begin with Ryan Mallett. I have to admit – I love this guy! He was easily first-round material in 2011, yet he fell to New England at the 74^th overall selection. He’s 6’7”, has an absolute cannon for an arm, and is learning from one of the greatest of all-time in Tom Brady. Mallett will no doubt be a starter in the NFL someday, it’s just a matter of when. Right now, the number 2 QB slot is his for the taking, and it would come as a surprise if he didn’t hold that spot on Sept. 7.

The Offensive line Unit

There are many players in this unit who show promise (Nate Solder, Nick McDonald, Sebastian Vollmer), but the line is a far cry from being the sure-fire unit it’s been in years’ past. Some vets are injured, one vet retired, and another just refuses to show up to Training Camp. Lost in all the excitement of a new-look defense is a very suspect offensive line.

The Secondary Unit

Speaking of defense, one of the gaping holes in New England’s 2011 defense was the defensive backs corps. A few favorable moves have been made – the unit has more of a veteran presence – but the question is if it will be enough to support what is projecting to be a pretty consistent pass rush. Watch for the new guys to get a few looks in tomorrow’s contest.  You can be sure that the defensive backs that survive all cuts to Opening Day will be a battle-tested group of warriors.

Stay logged into Reign Over New England throughout Pats Camp for 3 Step-Dropbacks, A rapid-fire style of reporting that will highlight 3 key areas of the many topics that surround this Patriots squad. Follow @ReignOverNE on Twitter to keep up!