November 7, 2007
Hey all --
The Patriots had until today to make a decision on receiver Chad Jackson and cornerback Eddie Jackson -- whether they'd activate the players off the PUP list and onto the 53-man roster, or whether one or both would be moved to injured reserve -- and the team decided to activate both.
New England had one open roster spot after cutting tight end Marcellus Rivers yesterday, and today released defensive back Ray Ventrone to open up the second spot needed. Ventrone, who played his first NFL game on Sunday against the Colts, will likely clear waivers and be re-signed to the Pats' practice squad.
Chad Jackson was New England's second-round draft pick last year out of Florida, and struggled with a hamstring injury during the preseason which lingered into the regular season. He finished his rookie season with 13 catches for 152 yards and three touchdowns, and the Pats also used his speed out of the backfield a few times, as he had four rushes for 22 yards.
Jackson suffered a torn ACL in the AFC Championship game.
Eddie Jackson, 26, was signed by the Patriots as a free agent this offseason despite suffering a torn ACL late in the season with Miami. Jackson typically plays in nickel/dime situations and on special teams.
Posted by Shalise Manza Young 
at 6:12 PM | Permalink
November 6, 2007
The Patriots have released tight end Marcellus Rivers again, in a move that shows that Benjamin Watson will be fully healthy by the time New England plays again, and leads one to believe that his spot on the 53-man roster will soon be filled.
Who it will be filled by is another question altogether. Bill Belichick said yesterday that the team will start the clock on veteran Troy Brown this week, and corner Eddie Jackson and wideout Chad Jackson have been practicing for the last three weeks as well.
This is the fourth time this season that Rivers has been released by the Pats; he did play in three games this season but did not record any statistics. Against the Redskins, he had two dropped passes, including one in the end zone.
Posted by Shalise Manza Young at 7:03 PM | Permalink
November 4, 2007
Here are the game inactives:
For the Patriots:
QB Matt Gutierrez - third quarterback
S Mel Mitchell
S Eugene Wilson
LB Eric Alexander
T Wesley Britt
G Billy Yates
TE Marcellus Rivers
DL Kareem Brown
For the Colts:
WR Craphonso Thorpe
DB Michael Coe
DB Brannon Condren
LB Freddy Keiaho
LB Tyjuan Hagler
T Tony Ugoh
WR Marvin Harrison
DT Quinn PItcock
Posted by Shalise Manza Young at 3:17 PM | Permalink
October 17, 2007
Hey all -
As previously posted, Eddie Jackson and Chad Jackson were on the field with their teammates for practice today, meaning the Patriots have opened the 21-day window for both.
Within the next three weeks, the two players can practice and the team must decide by the end whether to activate the players (and make a corresponding move) or place them on season-ending IR.
Also at practice, held in shorts and shells, Benjamin Watson, Sammy Morris, Mel Mitchell and Eric Alexander were missing, and tackle Wesley Britt made his return after a week tending to personal issues.
Marcellus Rivers, Pierre Woods and C.J. Jones were all in black jerseys for being named practice players of the week.
It is the second consecutive black jersey and third of the season for Jones, a practice squad receiver.
Posted by Shalise Manza Young at 1:15 PM | Permalink
October 10, 2007
In an expected move, the Patriots have re-signed tight end Marcellus Rivers.
To make room for Rivers, veteran linebacker Chad Brown has been released. Brown had been inactive for the last three games.
Posted by Shalise Manza Young at 10:34 AM | Permalink
October 7, 2007
Running back Laurence Maroney is once again listed as an inactive for today's game, the second game he's missed due to a groin injury.
Center Dan Koppen (ankle) is also out, meaning Russ Hochstein will likely serve as center.
Other inactives:
QB Matt Gutierrez - 3rd QB
S Rashad Baker
T Wesley Britt
DL Santonio Thomas
DL Kareem Brown
LB Chad Brown
By the way, we saw Marcellus Rivers in the media dining area with other inactive and practice-squad players, so it's a safe bet that he'll be re-signed this week.
Cleveland inactives:
QB Ken Dorsey - 3rd QB
P Dave Zastudil
DB Gary Baxter
RB Jerome Harrison
OL Isaac Sowells
OL Nat Dorsey
WR Travis Wilson
DL Ted Washington
Posted by Shalise Manza Young at 11:41 AM | Permalink
October 6, 2007
Hey all --
The Patriots have lifted the exemption they were granted for safety Rodney Harrison, and have once again released tight end Marcellus Rivers to make room for Harrison on the roster.
New England had received a one-week exemption for Harrison, who served a four-game suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy.
Rivers was re-signed this week after David Thomas was placed on injured reserve; without him on the roster, the Patriots have just two tight ends for tomorrow's game with Cleveland, Benjamin Watson and Kyle Brady. Rivers could be back this week, however.
Posted by Shalise Manza Young at 7:52 PM | Permalink
October 4, 2007
Hey all --
Bill Belichick was in good spirits this morning, as a smaller media corps (thank you, Red Sox) was at his daily press conference.
He spoke about Cleveland tight end Kellen Winslow, whom he was asked to compare to San Diego's Antonio Gates. Belichick said the two are asked to do some of the same things, and that Winslow "has good speed, excellent hands, is a good down-the-field receiver like Gates."
Like it is with Gates, part of the challenge in covering Winslow is finding him before the snap. He's not in motion that much, but still lines up at five or six spots at the line of scrimmage.
Belichick also talked about his own tight end situation -- David Thomas was placed on IR yesterday, and Marcellus Rivers re-signed. Belichick said Rivers is able to process information quickly, and jumped into things nearly from the first day he was originally signed, during training camp. He has skill as both a blocker and pass-catcher, Belichick added.
Practice begins around 12:40 p.m., and we'll have a practice look after that.
shalise
Posted by Shalise Manza Young at 12:05 PM | Permalink
