Mincey isn't the pick

Patriots

FOXBOROUGH -- One of the messages that rookies often hear when they first arrive at Gillette Stadium is that it doesn't matter when they were drafted. All that counts, coach Bill Belichick says, is how they perform on the field.

The Patriots' status-free approach came into focus yesterday, when the team released sixth-round pick Jeremy Mincey, who was vying for a roster spot at outside linebacker. With Mincey and veteran outside linebacker Chad Brown let go, that likely clears the way for rookie free agent Pierre Woods to make the 53-man roster.

Both Mincey and Woods were making similar transitions, from playing defensive end in college to outside linebacker in the NFL.

The 6-foot-5-inch, 250-pound Woods, who played at Michigan, caught the eye of the Patriots' coaching staff by totaling 12 defensive tackles, one sack, and four special-teams tackles over four exhibition games. Meanwhile, Mincey totaled 12 defensive tackles over four exhibition games, but couldn't overtake Woods.

``Jeremy worked hard. He's a tough kid," Belichick said. ``I have no complaints with his effort, his toughness. He did everything we asked him to do, it just didn't work out."

The 6-3, 260-pound Mincey, who signed a three-year contract with a $68,200 signing bonus, wasn't expecting to be released. With the Patriots not showing an initial interest to sign him to their practice squad, Mincey was headed out of town last night.

``I was shocked," he said. ``I felt like it was hard for me to develop and learn the system, and I didn't know they wouldn't give me time. I thought there would be a year of development."

Mincey believes his experience with the Patriots will benefit him should he receive a shot with another NFL club.

``I learned so much about football, the simple things that help you become a good player," he said. ``Being around guys like Junior Seau, Mike Vrabel, and Tedy Bruschi was a blessing. I don't regret it."

The Patriots have been starting Rosevelt Colvin and Tully Banta-Cain at outside linebacker in the last two games. Woods would now likely be the third option, with Vrabel also a possibility to move outside.

Rookie receiver Chad Jackson, who has participated in only three practices, continues to rehab his injured hamstring. ``Sometimes it heals in a week, sometimes it takes a month or two," said David Canter, Jackson's agent. ``He's killing himself to try to get back. Everyone is doing everything in their power to get him back, and now it's just a matter of everyone being patient." . . . Belichick said the intensity around Gillette Stadium was turned up a notch yesterday, as the coaching staff began full-bore preparations for the season-opener Sept. 10 against the Bills . . . Rookie running back Laurence Maroney was held out of practice Monday and Tuesday, and didn't play in the exhibition finale in New York. Maroney's injury doesn't have long-term implications, but his status should become a bit clearer when the Patriots release their first injury report on Wednesday . . . The Patriots officially placed linebacker Barry Gardner on injured reserve . . . After struggling in the Cardinals' exhibition finale, offensive tackle Brandon Gorin hasn't yet solidified a roster spot with Arizona. If Gorin doesn't make the Cardinals roster, the Patriots wouldn't receive a conditional draft choice.