5 Possible Shocking Patriots Cuts

 

Labor Day weekend can be one of the craziest times of the football year for Patriots fans. There’s always at least one bombshell that Bill Belichick drops on us, cutting or trading a player we all thought would play a significant part in a season that starts in mere days.

It puts many of us in a tailspin. What does it mean? Are they not “all in” this year? Was that guy a bad dude? Are they cheap? Do they not want to win the Super Bowl this year. What. Is. Happening.

Now before you let any of these drive you insane, remember two things. 1) None of them will probably happen, but… B) That’s what we would’ve thought about Lawyer Milloy, Richard Seymour, Logan Mankins, Brandon Meriweather and even Jonas Gray to name a few. And the tailspin described above is more or less what happened with each of those releases.

The formula is pretty simple really. Either guys aren’t as good as we thought they were or, they’re entering the final year of a deal and on the backside of their career. That’s a prime time to move them and get some value in return. It might be one year too early, but that’s how BB rolls. Better than one year too late.

We already got one kind of surprising (but not for me) trades this offseason that fit this mold with Chandler Jones getting moved. Maybe BB already hit his quota with that one.

Here’s my five (realistic) potential shockers.

Tyler Gaffney: Okay, maybe not a total shocker, but in the same vein as Gray last year it appears the Pats don’t really have any other options at running back. And with Dion Lewis out until late October at the earliest, could the Pats really roll with just LeGarrette Blount, Brandon Bolden and James White? Gaffney has shown some flashes this preseason, the first healthy preseason of his career, and right now, barring a trade seems a near-lock. Jettisoning him would be less shocking if they grabbed another veteran running back via trade or waivers to replace him. That’s certainly possible, but it won’t be any less shocking in the moments just after Gaffney’s release.

Marcus Cannon: This wouldn’t have been all that shocking earlier this year after how last season ended, but now Cannon’s had a pretty good summer and with Sebastian Vollmer possibly out the entire season, Cannon is suddenly a really important player. The reason he could still be a target to be released? A $3.2 million cap savings. Cannon is entering the last year of his deal, so it’s setting up to be a fascinating season for him. Do they… gasp… extend him again!? Yes, the Patriots sure seem to need Cannon more than ever this year, but should he really be the 10th-highest paid Patriot this season?

Alan Branch: Branch might just be the best candidate for a surprising cut this weekend. He seems really necessary right now, but has some issues and could save them some money. He’s coming off a team-imposed suspension and cutting him would save $1.2 million. With Terrance Knighton already getting the axe, Branch currently seems like a lock to lineup next to Malcom Brown in the top defense. He’s been a reliable veteran on the field in his two years with the Pats. It’s hard to see the team rolling with just rookie Vincent Valentine, vet Markus Kuhn and sub-rusher Anthony Johnson at the DT spot and that’s why Branch’s release would be a head-scratcher.

Josh Kline: While no one is exactly excited about him playing a significant role, everyone has Josh Kline on their 53-man roster projection. He should be the top right guard at least until Shaq Mason and/or Jonathan Cooper come back, at which point Kline would revert to the swing interior roster spot. He certainly brings value and experience, but cutting him would save $1.3 million on the cap. His versatility will save him, but if Mason, Cooper and/or Jackson emerge, Kline will have his work cut out for him next summer in the last year of his current deal.

Brandon Bolden: Bolden is an excellent special teamer and can fill in at either running back role in a pinch. He’s never going to be “the guy” at running back, but he’s versatile enough that he brings a lot of value and knows the offense. Most importantly he won’t get the quarterback killed. However there are plenty of super special teamers on the roster now and how many do you truly need? Cutting him would only save a mere $550K, so it helps that his salary isn’t working against him. But with the influx of youth on special teams, including (potentially) Jonathan Jones, Kamu Grugier-Hill and Elandon Roberts, and the potential of DJ Foster, perhaps it’s time for the team to give other players with undefined ceilings a chance.

Who do you guys think would be a realistic shocking cut this weekend?