Belichick: Patriots taking a hard look at roster cuts

Walk-through attendance may give a glimpse on early cuts to the roster

The Patriots had a walk-through practice at the Gillette practice fields this morning and Bill Belichick at his morning press conference spoke about how the team was working hard at the first round of roster cuts.

But with a glimpse of who was, and more importantly who wasn’t there, that may indicate who might be getting released by Tuesday. Belichick did state that some cuts may come as early as today. It was reported earlier that TE Jimmay Mundine was released.

During his presser, Belichick referenced Troy Brown and his comments last week where he stated that Brown was a roster long-shot and that he tried every day to make Coach Bill Parcells’ job harder, doing things to give him reasons not to cut him.

Belichick stated, “we’ve had a bunch of players giving us a harder job this training camp in determining who gets cut.”

Belichick spoke in glowing terms about CB Malcolm Butler and Mike Lombardi at this morning’s press conference. When asked if Butler looks like the same player as last season, he said, “No, he’s much improved.”

Belichick said Butler was not the same player as in 2014, that he’s made a big second year jump in play.

Belichick also spoke about Mike Lombardi and said that he’s been a big help to Belichick personally. He mentioned that some of the former Browns players on the roster including Dion Lewis and Rufus Johnson, were players that Lombardi knew very well and was able to impart a lot of knowledge to the team. Both have been standout players this preseason.

Belichick mentioned his own experience in leaving the Browns in 1995 and that some players such as former Patriots punter Tom Tupa and defensive lineman Chad Eaton, brought in due to his knowledge about them

Also not visible at the walk-through were CB Darryl Roberts, WR Brandon LaFell, LB Dekoda Watson, DT Chris Jones, Joe Vellano and WR Josh Boyce. Also absent, of course, was Tom Brady, who was in NYC this morning at his appeal hearing, which lasted all of four minutes.

Jones and LaFell are still on PUP and good candidates to start the season there. Roberts, as well as James Develin, could wind up on IR or IR with the designation to return later in the season. Watson and Boyce could be on the chopping block.

Stay tuned to PatsFans.com and we’ll hopefully have more information after practice is over and the locker room is opened up.

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About Steve Balestrieri

A former US Army Special Forces NCO and Officer, Steve has been following the Patriots since their days at Fenway Park. Steve has worked in the film industry and wrote as an Military Editor at SpecialOperations.com, 1945.com as a reporter for the Millbury Daily Voice, Millbury-Sutton Chronicle, and the Grafton News. He's also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA)

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Tags: 2015 NFL Preseason 2015 Patriots Training Camp 53 Man Roster Projection Brandon LaFell Josh Boyce Malcolm Butler New England Patriots NFL Patriots Tom Brady

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