No safety net: Hawkins is released

The Patriots cut ties with veteran safety Artrell Hawkins yesterday, and also released two other players, rookie linebacker Kyle Bissinger and second-year cornerback Gemara Williams.

Hawkins, who started 12 games last season, hadn't practiced since Aug. 8 and sat out both of the Patriots' exhibition games. The 10th-year pro said that he was dealing with "an injury I've managed before," but declined to elaborate, saying he'd stick to "the [Bill ] Belichick code."

Williams (hamstring) and Bissinger, who hyperextended a knee in practice last week, were injured.

Hawkins, 30, wouldn't rule out a return.

"The door is still open. There's always a possibility that I could come back and be a productive part of the team," said Hawkins, who had 52 tackles, an interception, and two forced fumbles last season. "I have nothing but respect for the whole organization, Coach Belichick, Mr. [Robert] Kraft and the players."

Hawkins was signed by the Patriots in November 2005. To that point, the 5-foot-10-inch, 195-pounder had been a cornerback, spending six seasons with Cincinnati and one with Carolina, before being cut by Washington out of camp. However, the Patriots converted Hawkins to safety with success. He started four of the five regular-season games he played in, registering 16 tackles and a sack, and both playoff games that season.

With Eugene Wilson and Rodney Harrison now healthy, the emergence of James Sanders, the special teams prowess of Rashad Baker and Willie Andrews, and the drafting of Brandon Meriweather, Hawkins became expendable.

"Any time you release a veteran, it's hard," said Belichick said. "Artrell is a very professional guy. He works hard and is a tough kid.

"It's not a day I enjoy, no matter who we're releasing."

Hawkins said he appreciated the way the team handled his release. He said he plans to weigh his options, which could include a broadcast career. Hawkins attended the NFL's Broadcast Boot Camp this summer.

"My representatives are working on that and we'll see where it goes," said Hawkins. "But I still love the game and I'm not quite ready to call it quits just yet."

The Patriots made it official, re-signing Vinny Testaverde. The 43-year-old quarterback, who is embarking on a 21st NFL season, participated in the Patriots' offseason workout program and still had a locker even though he was an unrestricted free agent. The Patriots signed Testaverde last Nov. 14. He appeared in three games, including the regular-season finale against the Tennessee Titans, when he extended his NFL record streak of consecutive seasons with a touchdown pass to 20.

Second-year defensive lineman Le Kevin Smith drew praise from Belichick for his performance in Friday night's 27-24 loss to the Titans. Smith started at left end in place of Ty Warren (sprained elbow) and had four tackles, two quarterback hits, and a sack. He played in just three games last year. "I think Le Kevin Smith has made a jump from last year to this year, in his offseason training, strength and conditioning, quickness, explosion," said Belichick. "I don't think last year I would have expected him to play at a position that he hadn't practiced at very much. He still has a long way to go, but he's improved quite a bit." . . . Stephen Gostkowski was 10 for 10 on field goals in the preseason until he pushed a 33-yard attempt wide left against Tennessee. Gostkowski rebounded by nailing a 32-yarder before the half. "There are things we all have to work on. He is certainly in that group," said Belichick . . . The Patriots' goal-line stand before the intermission, when they stuffed the Titans four times from the 3-yard line, was heartening to Ellis Hobbs. "We were great in the red area last year, but our goal line was kind of stinking it up, so we knew we needed to really focus on that," said Hobbs.

Christopher L. Gasper can be reached at cgasper@globe.com.