Source Says the Patriots are not Planning to Cut Alfonzo Dennard

Despite the negative publicity Alfonzo Dennard’s arrest has put on the Patriots after the Hernandez arrest, a league source tells the Boston Globe that the Patriots are not going to cut the second year cornerback.

After being convicted and sentenced to a delayed 30-day jail stint in March of 2014 and two years of probation, Dennard was arrested last Thursday under suspicion of driving under the influence in Lincoln Nebraska. Dennard and his supporters are disputing the claim that he was intoxicated last Thursday and are looking to fight the charges.

The Patriots do expect Dennard to be suspended for up to three games due to the NFL’s conduct policies, but the big news is they are sticking with the young player. An NFL spokesman did say “the case of Alfonzo Dennard is under review.”

I agree with the Patriots being hesitant to release the talented corner. Though his actions were downright stupid, he would have been a bigger loss to the team than Hernandez in my opinion. This defense’s second and third year players are looking to take a step forward as they learn not only the system, but their jobs as well.

Alfonzo Dennard wasn’t great, but when compared to the rest of the secondary, after Talib, he was easily the best we had. Second and third year players in this system like Dennard, Chandler Jones, Devin McCourty and even Aqib Talib all are looking to improve. Sports are all about communication and an understanding of what your teammate is going to do and that’s a skill that is cultivated over multiple seasons with the same players.

With Dennard likely being out a few games due to a suspension and most likely jail time, I don’t expect the Patriots to have him most if not all of the first half of the season. Of course that’s all up to the judge in his next hearing.

Josh Brown