TE Chris Baker Released by Patriots

In a move that left most analysts and fans of the New England based team the Patriots have announced the release of tight end Chris Baker this afternoon .

This is certainly a puzzling move, even for Bill Belichick.  The only real inference I can make from this move is that perhaps reported interest by the Patriots in trading for TE Greg Olsen from Chicago is accurate.  The Patriots have already lost TE Ben Watson this offseason, and cutting a solid TE with whom they signed a five-year free agent deal with at this time last year doesn't seem to make much sense.  Granted Baker is more of a blocker, who caught a total of 14 passes, two for touchdowns this past season but with only two tight ends left on the roster one has to question the motivation for this move or interpret it to mean that another TE may be on his way in.

That last paragraph may lead one to ask who the two tight ends remaining on the roster are and allow me to introduce them to you:

Robert Agnone, a 24-year-old TE with "one year" of NFL experience, has never played a down in an NFL game since coming to the league from Delaware where he spent his college days. Notice earlier when I said "coming" and not "drafted" since he was not drafted.  Coming out of Delaware, he was rated as the 500th overall prospect, and originally agreed to a deal with the Redskins prior to being cut.  In his last year at Delaware he caught 16 passes for 161 yards and two TD's.

Rob Myers, a 23-year-old WR turned tight end/halfback, came to the league out of Utah State last season.  He was also undrafted, and did not play a single down last season. He was signed, along with Agnone, by the Patriots on Jan. 13.  His college career was marred by injuries, with the latest being turf toe which essentially ruined his senior year. He's known for being a good receiver, and had 21 catches for 320 yards and three touchdowns during his junior season, the only season during which he was really able to play any games.

That's our tight end situation right now in New England.  With Owen Daniels, Tony Scheffler, and Bo Scaife out there as restricted free agents, perhaps Belichick has his eye on one?  Additionally there's been the aforementioned rumors about Olsen and a possible trade with the Bears.

The best UFA on the market right now is Alge Crumpler, a little too old to be bringing in if you ask me (32).  

One last thought that I can't help from springing to my mind is this, and let me lay the scene for you first:
We have the Raider's 2011 first rounder
The Raiders have said everyone on their roster is up for trade.
The Raiders recently put a real low tender on linebacker Kirk Morrison (third round).
No doubt the Pats would have interest in Morrison, given our needs at linebacker.
The Raiders have a very talented young tight end in Zach Miller.
The Patriots and Raiders have a history of working out deals with each other.

Now I'm not saying anything is in the works whatsoever, or that I've heard anything, or any of that.  All I'm saying is that with all that, if I was the Patriots GM I'd have to at least explore the possibility of bringing a few new faces to the Patriots in Morrison and Miller and see what it would cost me.

As far as the draft goes, there are a few prospects available including Oklahoma tight end Jermaine Gresham, Arizona tight end Rob Gronkowski, and Florida tight end Aaron Hernandez.  Gresham should be off the board by the Patriots first pick, and Hernandez and Gronkowski are second or third-round prospects.  Combine standout Dorin Dickerson will also likely be there in the second round, so the Patriots may just see a rookie TE lining up in familiar Ben Watson's place next season.  One thing's for sure, the winds of change are blowing in Foxboro and free agent season hasn't even started yet.