New England Patriots Cuts: Tracking Players Dropped from 2011 Roster

Among the ho-hummery of cutdown day, with a lot of names you knew wouldn't make the roster anyway, there are always a couple of announcements that catch people off-guard.

The eye-popping move of Monday, without a doubt, was the New England Patriots releasing safety James Sanders into the free agent open market.

Of course, there were other moves that will also have an impact on the final 53-man roster, so let's take a look at some of the biggest moves of the past 48 hours and what they mean for the long term.

Author's note: As of 2:15PM Eastern, the Patriots were at the maximum of 80 players. Final cutdowns are due at 4:00PM. The Patriots may make another move, but they don't officially have to.

Erik Frenz is the co-host of the PatsPropaganda and Frenz podcast. Follow Erik on Twitter @erikfrenz.

Cut Jeremy Ross

The rookie free agent out of Cal came to the NFL with quite the claim to fame, ranking second all-time in school punt return average with 15.2 yards. The man he ranked second to was none other than DeSean Jackson.

The Patriots tried him out largely in that role, as the team's third string punt returner. He had three kickoff returns with an average of 22 yards per return against the Jaguars, and had four punt returns for an average of nine yards per return against the Buccaneers. He caught two balls for six yards, both against the Bucs as well. And that was the extent of his production in the preseason.

What it means: Ross could still make his way to the practice squad, but for now, the roster is out of his reach. With Julian Edelman and Taylor Price both capable return men, the Patriots feel comfortable at that position.

Signed Tiquan Underwood

Underwood is a former seventh-round pick for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2009. He played his college football at Rutgers, where he was a teammate of 2010 Defensive Rookie of the Year runner-up Devin McCourty.

Underwood was spotted wearing No. 10 on his hoodie in the locker room, the number formerly worn by Darnell Jenkins before his cut was announced Monday. Underwood will serve largely as a punt returner, having done well in that role with the Jaguars. He averaged 23.4 yards per return on 24 returns last year and broke one return for 53 yards.

He can also contribute in the passing game, with eight catches for 111 yards last year.

How quickly he can pick up the playbook, though, will play a large role in determining whether this is just a four-day docking or permanent settling for him.

What it means: Underwood may be little more than a practice squad pick-up. 

Cut Matt Katula

What is there to say about the release of a long snapper? Not much, except to point out that the loss may impact the chemistry of the special teams trio of long snapper, holder, and kicker.

Katula played in eight games last year as the Patriots long snapper, and has had a fairly consistent preseason. His low point came against the Jaguars in a high snap that sailed over Zoltan Mesko's head and resulted in a turnover. 

Evidently, the Patriots feel confident that they can find a better option at long snapper elsewhere. In fact, they've already done so...

Signed James Dearth

Yep, another former Jet. James Dearth has played for both the dark side (get it?) and the Cleveland Browns in his 12-year, 146-game NFL career.

The 35-year-old journeyman long snapper failed to play in any games last year, but not without first making the rounds on a couple of NFL rosters. He started out the offseason as a Washington Redskins before being shown the door on final cutdown day.

He then made his way to the San Diego Chargers roster in a period of great flux for them on special teams, as they played four different long snappers in a four week span last year. Dearth was injured, though, and never saw the field. 

After cutting Matt Katula, the Patriots are clearly hoping for more than that out of Dearth in his campaign for a roster spot.

What it means: The Patriots seem dedicated to carrying a long snapping specialist on their roster.

Cut Marques Murrell

Marques Murrell is a former Jets linebacker who has played in the NFL for four years. He has played in 27 games, and has yet to register a start.

He isn't new to seeing his name on the bottom of a Patriots pink slip, being shown the door midway through the 2010 season only to come back for one last push at the end of the season.

What it means: As the role of linebackers diminishes from the 3-4 to the 4-3, so does the importance of linebacker depth like Murrell. With the return of Brandon Spikes and Dane Fletcher to practice today, it appears Murrell's importance has diminished him off the roster.

In hindsight, this release should have been indication as to the health of Spikes and Fletcher. Were either or both not okay, Murrell may have been kept for depth. He may hear his phone ring during the season once again if dire straits present themselves once again.

Cut Jonathan Wilhite

In a Monday conference call, Belichick said of Wilhite, "Jonathan’s been with us three years, going on his fourth year. He primarily played in the slot—played very capably—we just felt like there were other players ahead of him. If we could keep more, we would. Unfortunately, we have to reduce the roster and not everyone can be here."

Wilhite has had a roller coaster career, playing in 14 games and starting eight in 2009 against just nine games and one start in 2010. The Patriots played him primarily due to injury in '09, but he was the injured one in 2010. He leaves behind 39 games, with 13 starts, and three interceptions.

What it means: The battle for the fifth roster spot at cornerback came down to Wilhite and Darius Butler. It seems, for now, that Butler is safe. This move may also be an indication that Ras-I Dowling could be returning to the field soon.

Cut James Sanders

For more of my thoughts on the Sanders cut, read my recently posted piece on Bleacher Report.

In summation, a $2.8 million contract for 2011 may have been a bit pricey, but with $12.5 million in cap room and the safety depth of a kiddie pool, this move remains a head scratcher.

As always, though, the Patriots have been doing their diligence by working out safeties like Renaldo Hill and Darren Sharper. The team has already signed James Ihedigbo, but who knows if another addition could be on the way.

What it means: At this point, who knows. The Patriots could use the depth at safety, but clearly Sanders' $2.8 million was a bit pricey for the third string safety on the roster. The Patriots are taking all the necessary steps in evaluating their options in free agency, and testing out different combinations to find what's working and what isn't. Clearly, the work at safety is not done.