Former Patriots among NFL roster cuts

As rosters continue to be trimmed around the NFL, some notable ex-Patriots were booted into the ever-growing free agency pool on Sunday.

While many teams are quick to make waiver claims on Bill Belichick’s cast-offs, it is clear that some just don’t have what it takes to crack this year’s 53 man squads.

Among those cut were former Patriots Ras I-Dowling, Tiquan Underwood and Adrian Wilson.

After riding on the Jets practice squad throughout 2013, cornerback Ras I-Dowling was kept on with the chance to compete in camp for a place on a struggling, decimated secondary. Formerly a second round pick in 2011 out of Virginia, Dowling has struggled to stay on the field throughout his tenure and represented somewhat of a low-risk, high reward signing for Gang Green if he could ever meet his high upside coming out of college. However, Rex Ryan has clearly seen enough.

Many Patriots fans will remember receiver Tiquan Underwood as the man who was cut on the eve of Superbowl 46, rather than remembering his play on the field. Even as a member of the much maligned Panthers receiving corps (who could only contribute to a seven-point total against the Patriots last Friday), Underwood has been unable to make a breakthrough, catching just one pass for five yards throughout the preseason. Underwood actually had his most productive season last year with the Bucs, catching 26 passes for 440 yards. Despite this, he has already been cut nine times in his five year NFL career, so he may struggle to find a new landing spot before the season starts.

Finally, the Bears released veteran safety Adrian Wilson as they trimmed their roster to 81. A five time Pro-Bowler with the Cardinals, Wilson signed with the Patriots in 2013 and was expected to provide a boost to the New England secondary before suffering a torn Achilles tendon which kept him out for the entire year. Wilson came to the Patriots banged up, and did not make much of an impression in camp. The Bears picked up Wilson off the scrapheap after Belichick released him in March, and has evidently never recovered. As a result, Wilson has been added to the long list of early squad casualties around the NFL.

Vindication, thy name is Bill.

Image by Nell Redmond/AP Photo.

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