New England Patriots cut Brian Barthelmes, sign Chris Patrick
New England Patriots cut offensive lineman Brian Barthelmes and signed Chris Patrick yesterday. Barthelmes played only one drive in the pre-season game against Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He did well, but apparently hadn’t showed enough progress from last year to hang around any longer.
The team signed Chris Patrick off the waivers after New York Giants dumped him this week. Patrick was signed by the Giants as an undrafted free-agent after this year’s supplemental draft. Patrick started 12 games at left tackle, but I imagine the Patriots will give Patrick a shot at an interior position, provided the team has any interest in Patrick at all other than picking his brain for dirt on the Giants, who New England plays this season. What may indicate a small of window of opportunity for Patrick is that the Patriots reportedly were among the few teams that showed some interest in him during the off season.
The Patriots report Patrick as 280 pounds, while Nebraska had him at 280. Either way would indicate a lineman that’s a tad undersized even by New England’s standards.
Patriots also released veteran punter Josh Miller. Considering the revolver-door nature of kicking positions I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up playing for the Patriots some time later this year.
