Patriots cut Bryant, retain Cassel

FERNANDO BRYANTDidn't impress in exhibitions (File/Bill Greene/Globe Staff)

Covering up for the departure of Pro Bowl cornerback Asante Samuel is proving a little bit tougher than the Patriots expected, because when the team made its final cuts yesterday it axed cornerback Fernando Bryant, who had started all four exhibition games, the last three in Samuel's old left cornerback spot.

Bryant, who signed a one-year $730,000 deal with $46,000 in bonuses, was the most surprising of the 14 players the Patriots released. Not among them was backup quarterback Matt Cassel, who survived a touchdown-less preseason to beat out Matt Gutierrez.

Along with Gutierrez and Bryant, the Patriots released linebackers Victor Hobson and Vince Redd, cornerback Mike Richardson, safeties Antwain Spann and Mike Dillard, running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis, defensive linemen Titus Adams and Santonio Thomas, tight end Tyson DeVree, and offensive linemen Mike Flynn, John Welbourn, and Stephen Sene.

The Patriots started the day with 71 players and trimmed the roster to 54. The league regular-season roster limit is 53, but the Patriots got an exemption for running back Kevin Faulk, who was suspended yesterday by the NFL for the season-opener against Kansas City next Sunday for violating the league's substance abuse policy. Faulk is eligible to return Sept. 8.

The team also placed right tackle Oliver Ross, who had been on the physically unable to perform list, on the reserve/non-football injury list and placed rookie linebacker Bo Ruud (ankle) and defensive lineman Kenny Smith (arm) on injured reserve, ending their seasons. Ross must sit out the first six weeks of the season before he is eligible to return.

Starting at noon today, the Patriots can sign players to their eight-man practice squad. Redd, Richardson, and Spann are strong candidates if they clear waivers.

Here is a closer look at the Patriots' roster paring:

Quarterbacks (3)

Keepers: Tom Brady, Matt Cassel, and Kevin O'Connell.

Analysis: Neither Cassel, who led the Patriots to just two field goals in 17 exhibition possessions, nor Gutierrez, who threw two interceptions and had a fumble in 14 series, was impressive. But Cassel, who is entering his fourth year, won out on experience. Plus, some of the team's troubles scoring with him at QB were tied to poor offensive line play, untimely penalties, or turnovers such as Faulk's fumble inside the Tampa Bay 30-yard line.

Running backs (5*)

Keepers: Laurence Maroney, Sammy Morris, LaMont Jordan, Heath Evans, and Kevin Faulk (*Faulk is suspended).

Analysis: Faulk's suspension likely bought time for a player at another position. All along coach Bill Belichick seemed inclined to go with five running backs and Jordan, who led the team during the preseason with 25 rushes for 103 yards and a score, despite only playing two games, showed he was healthy against the Giants.

Wide receivers (8)

Keepers: Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Jabar Gaffney, Chad Jackson, Kelley Washington, Sam Aiken, C.J. Jones, and Ray Ventrone.

Analysis: Jackson, a former second-round pick, showed enough in the last two games, scoring a touchdown in each, that it would be foolish to give up on him now. Jones may have won a job with his 44-yard kickoff return and 42-yard punt return late against the Giants. Ventrone, a converted safety, tied Jones for the team lead in exhibition receptions with nine.

Tight ends (3)

Keepers: Benjamin Watson, David Thomas, and Stephen Spach.

Analysis: With the injury-filled histories of Watson and Thomas, the Patriots couldn't afford to carry just two tight ends. A solid blocker, Spach is an insurance policy at a position the team values.

Offensive line (8)

Keepers: Matt Light (LT), Logan Mankins (LG), Dan Koppen (C), Billy Yates (C/G), Nick Kaczur (RT), Russ Hochstein (C/G), Wesley Britt (OT), Dan Connolly (C).

Analysis: With starting right guard Stephen Neal opening the season on the physically unable to perform list, it was a little surprising that neither Flynn, who can play guard and center, nor Welbourn, who can play right tackle and right guard, made the team. The return of a healthy Yates Thursday helped seal their fate.

Defensive line (6)

Keepers: Richard Seymour (DE), Vince Wilfork (NT), Ty Warren (DE), Jarvis Green (DE), Mike Wright (DL), Le Kevin Smith (DL).

Analysis: Not a lot of tough decisions here with the Big Three up front - Seymour, Wilfork, and Warren - and super-sub Green. Wright and Smith can play both defensive end and nose tackle.

Linebackers (9)

Keepers: Tedy Bruschi, Jerod Mayo, Mike Vrabel, Adalius Thomas, Pierre Woods, Shawn Crable, Eric Alexander, Gary Guyton, Larry Izzo.

Analysis: Hobson, a New York Jets refugee, looked lost trying to make the switch from 3-4 outside linebacker to 3-4 inside backer. His release was expected. So was keeping Guyton, an undrafted rookie free agent who was the fastest linebacker at the Scouting Combine, running a sub-4.5 40-yard dash, and showed a ton of promise on special teams and in the regular defense. In the end, Izzo is simply too valuable on special teams to leave off the roster.

Defensive backs (8)

Keepers: Ellis Hobbs, Terrence Wheatley, Jonathan Wilhite, Lewis Sanders, Rodney Harrison, Brandon Meriweather, James Sanders, and John Lynch.

Analysis: Just four corners on the final roster - Hobbs, Lewis Sanders and rookies Wheatley and Wilhite - doesn't sound right, especially considering that Sanders's best work came on special teams. Meriweather, a safety, can cover in the slot in five- and six-defensive back coverages, but an addition could be upcoming at corner. The team is set at safety with an experienced group, besides Meriweather, who made great strides before injuring his leg in the second exhibition game.

Specialists (4)

Keepers: Stephen Gostkowski, Chris Hanson, Lonie Paxton, Matthew Slater.

Analysis: Gostkowski answered any doubts about last season, going 5 for 5 on field goals and booting a 53-yarder. Hanson had no competition at punter, and Paxton was a lock at long snapper. The fourth specialist is Slater, a slashing type who can play safety and wide receiver and return kicks.

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