Pats Release Three More; Trade Speculation Rises

Today, the Patriots released another three players: linebacker Eric Alexander, tight end Michael Matthews, and wide receiver Joey Galloway.  Yesterday, Tully Banta-Cain was released.

The release of Eric Alexander is, like Banta-Cain, a head scratcher.  He is one of the Patriots core special teams players, and has really found himself a niche in that area.  However, like Banta-Cain, I would expect Eric Alexander to be resigned soon.

Michael Matthews, whom the Patriots acquired off waivers from the Giants, seemed like he could be a good fit as a blocking tight end for the Patriots.  However, things didn’t really work  out so far, so it’s not too surprising to see him go.  Joey Galloway, however, was the real disappointment.  In his three games as a Patriot, Galloway never seemed to catch on mentally.  He was inactive the last three games, and while the Patriots tried to shop him before the deadline, I guess they just decided to cut their losses and move on.

These four releases reeled in the Patriots nearly $3 million in cap money, as well as four open roster spots.  There has been speculation that the Pats could use the roster spots to bring Brandon Tate and/or Mark LeVoir off PUP, but there has been ever increasing speculation that the Patriots could be looking to swing a trade by today’s trade deadline.

A few names the Patriots have been mentioned with?  Deion Branch, Shawne Merriman, Stephen Jackson, and Julius Peppers.

First, you can cross Julius Peppers off the list because the Patriots do not have cap room for him.  As much as I would like to see him on the Pats, it is a virtual impossibility at this point.

As for Stephen Jackson, he would be a nice upgrade.  However, he carries a pretty large cap charge and the Patriots are probably enjoying their committee approach, with Laurence Maroney coming off his best game of the season.

Shawne Merriman is intriguing, but you have to wonder whether or not the Chargers would deal him to a rival AFC contender.  Also, Merriman’s deal expires after 2009, and he has not recorded a single sack.  If the Patriots traded a second round pick for a player who isn’t even being affective rushing the passer, to have him only play 10+ games, would it really be worth it?

The final name on that list is Deion Branch.  He is probably the most intriguing name to me.  The Patriots just got rid of Joey Galloway, and don’t have a solid #3 at receiver.  Branch is being paid $5 million in Seattle, and his playing time has been very limited.  The Patriots could probably get Branch for a fourth or a fifth round pick, and he could come in and instantly be a big help.  It wouldn’t take long for him to get back in sync with Brady, and the Patriots could probably restructure his deal to lessen the cap hit.  Call me crazy, but I’d love to see Deion Branch donning the flying Elvis once again.

Deion Branch could return to the Patriots | Courtesy Patriots.com