Posted by Teddy Panos, Sun Staff
The Patriots got down to the NFL roster limit today, and there a few surprises on the cut list.
Veteran Cornerback Fernando Bryant was among the 14-players let go, as was linebacker Vincent Hobson, another offseason free agent acquisition. But perhaps the biggest surprise on the list was the name of backup QB Matt Guttierez, who many observers believe outplayed Matt Cassel during the exhibition games.
Fact of the matter is, the Pats have a serious backup quarterback issue. They weren't going to cut Kevin O'Connell. You don't use a 4th round pick on a QB only to release him in the first go-around. Neither Cassel nor Guttierez inspired much faith should Tom Brady go down, but it was thought Guttierez at least had more upside at this point. Obviously, Bill Belichick doesn't follow that line of thinking, or at least the line of thinking that Guttierez offers enough upside gamble that he could step up in case of an injury to #12.
However, do not be surprised if the Pats sign a veteran from the scrap heap. O'Connell is clearly the QB being groomed to backup Brady, and he was going to pass both Cassel and Guttierez in the future, if he hasn't already. It wouldn't shock me to see another roster move involving signal callers in the coming days.
That's the view from here...how do you see it? Who deserved to go...Cassel or Guttieriez? Did Bill Belichick make a mistake here? Or is there another shoe still left to drop?
Does it really matter?? If Brady were to go down the Patriots' season is for all intents and purposes over. Maybe one of them wins a game or two more than another but all aspirations to be anything more than a .500 team go out the window if #12 isn't playing...