Cut down to size

MARONEY: Still in the running.

Today was the day teams had to make the difficult final roster cuts to get down to the 53-player limit. Matt Leinart was cut by the Cards. TJ Housh was set free by the Seahawks. Jarvis Green is done with Denver. Dry Bly wasn't even good enough to stick with Detroit. There was much speculation that Laurence Maroney would be listed among the most notable cuts of the day. Didn't happen. And that's good.

The Patriots did make one significant cut: outside linebacker Derrick Burgess. He of the near-retirement/sudden return during training camp. I'm not sure if I'm relieved or worried with a move like this. He looked lifeless during the preseason games that he did play in, making me think retirement was the way to go after all. Belichick apparently agreed. But... they are very thin on defense and Burgess had his moments last year. That's how concerning the D is at this point. Even a guy like Burgess has a value. But he's gone. And now the defense goes into the season minus starters from last year Ty Warren, Leigh Bodden, and Burgess. If this defense holds its own this season that will be one hell of a coaching job.

The Pats' other recognizable names were veterans Pierre Woods, Sam Aiken, and Eric Alexander. That tells me Belichick thinks he has a strong young core of special teams players. I think he is right.

The Belichick drafting record took more of a hit. Again, the team is still winning the AFC East and ranking among the top 10 Super Bowl contenders so it's not like they are in desperate need of new players. But Thomas Welch (2010), Zac Robinson (2010), Rich Ohrnberger (2009), Ted Larsen (2010), and George Bussey (2009) make five more guys chosen in the last two years not to make the team. And Ohrnberger, Bussey, and Larsen are offensive linemen. A spot the team is pretty thin at.

Patriots.com has the complete list of Pats' cuts. 

http://www.patriots.com/news/index.cfm?ac=pressreleasesdetail&pid=44325&pcid=47

The other news today was, of course, concerning an injury. Brandon McGowan, the defensive back the Pats signed from the Chicago Bears last year was put on injured reserve and is lost for the season. He joins Warren and Bodden on that list. McGowan started 11 games last year and, although not a star, brought a solid physical presence to the defense. He can hit. Another guy to replace. First call to make: Jarvis Green.

As I said, one guy the Pats won't have to replace is Maroney. It was much speculated by the spouting heads all week that he was in danger. It really wasn't much of a possibility. He showed enough last year to get the ball at the start of the season. As much as I am a Fred Taylor fan, there's no way he can carry the full load. Maroney still can. I'd actually like to see Belichick give him the ball 20 times in each the first two games. There'd be no more need for debate on Maroney after that -- one way or the other