Foxborough, MA (Sportsbooks) - The
New England Patriots released 10 players, including veteran linebacker Paris Lenon and tight end Alex Smith, also making two trades involving tight ends and placing three players on injured reserve to reduce their roster to the 53-man maximum.
Lenon, who the Patriots signed as a free agent this past offseason after he started 48 straight games with the Detroit Lions (2006-08), was unable to stick with New England after the inside linebacker jobs were awarded to Jerod Mayo and Gary Guyton.
Smith, who caught 129 passes and scored 11 touchdowns with the Buccaneers from 2005-08, was not able to remain on a roster that also includes Benjamin Watson and ex-Jet Chris Baker at the position. But Smith wasn't the only tight end to be separated from the New England roster, as David Thomas was shipped to the New Orleans Saints via trade, and blocking specialist Michael Matthews was brought in from the New York Giants in a separate deal.
Thomas, a third-round draft choice of the Pats in 2006, caught 21 passes for 261 yards and a touchdown in three seasons with New England.
Matthews played in all 37 of the Giants' regular season and postseason games over the past two years, catching a total of eight passes while serving primarily as a blocker.
In addition to Lenon and Smith, defensive lineman Titus Adams, tackle Wesley Britt, defensive backs Herana-Daze Jones and Jamar Love, wide receiver Terrence Nunn, tackle Ryan O'Callaghan, defensive lineman Darryl Richard, and safety Ray Ventrone were released.
Of that group, only Britt and Ventrone were part of the active roster last season.
In other moves on Saturday, offensive lineman George Bussey (knee), linebacker Shawn Crable (groin), and running back Chris Taylor (shoulder) were placed on season-ending injured reserve.
On Friday, New England released linebacker Vinny Ciurciu, wide receiver Robert Ortiz, defensive back Roderick Rogers, quarterback Andrew Walter, defensive lineman Stephen Williams, and guard Billy Yates.
The Patriots will begin their regular season on Sept. 14th, when they welcome the Buffalo Bills to Gillette Stadium for a Monday night contest.
