No Surprises in First Round of Pats Cuts

When running back Cedric Cobbs was released Tuesday, I told you that with the depth New England had at the position, another running back would be soon to follow. No surprise it was Chad Morton, also a return man, who never actually practiced with the team, spending his time since the team signed him recovering from knee surgery mostly on the physically unable to perform list. With Corey Dillon, Kevin Faulk and Kory Chapman at running back and a growing number of qualified return men, there's just no room for Morton.

The only other notable yesterday's list was cornerback Hank Poteat, although if you remember him, it's probably from when he was wearing a Pittsburgh Steelers uniform a few years ago. The Patriots signed him just before the playoffs last year, a couple days after the team announced Ty Las was out for the playoffs and placed him on injured reserve, and just before Indianapolis came to town. His stats comprise a 5-yard defensive holding penalty against Indy, 2 tackles and a pass defensed against Pittsburgh and a tackle in Super Bowl XXXIX against Philadelphia.

Four of the remaining five were rookies and the last (Ifo Pili) was an NFL sophomore.