New England Patriots: What to Make of Brandon Deaderick Cut
Anytime is time for the New England Patriots to shuffle their roster in any way head coach Bill Belichick sees fit. Surprise or not, it is what it is and the 2010 seventh-round pick defensive lineman Brandon Deaderick was this week’s surprise cut. It’s a surprise because Deaderick’s numbers are relatively good, he’s only 25 years-old, he was relatively cheap (only $630,000 this year) and the fact he was cut in May, it’s quite mind boggling.
Nov 18, 2012; Foxboro, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots defensive end Brandon Deaderick (71) during the fourth quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Gillette Stadium. The New England Patriots won 59-24. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
In 34 games with 14 starts, Deaderick produced 51 total tackles, five sacks and two forced fumbles. In six postseason games, he added 11 tackles and one sack, and last season, he played in 14 games with five starts recording 14 tackles, one sack and two forced fumbles. But with a more enhanced list of defensive lineman in place such as Rob Ninkovich, Vince Wilfork, Tommy Kelly, Chandler Jones, Justin Francis, Kyle Love, Jermaine Cunningham, Jake Bequette, Armond Armstead, Marcus Forston, Michael Buchanan, and Jason Vega, I think this move allows Armond Armstead to take Deaderick’s spot higher on the depth chart. It also makes interesting to speculate how Belichick is planning in utilizing our 2013 second round pick Jamie Collins as defensive lineman and/or linebacker.
Although guesses can run high as to the reason Deaderick was suddenly released, I can only think it might had something to do with a lack of fitting the Patriot way. Back in 2011, Deaderick was suspended by the team and reasons where unknown as Belichick, of course, maintained the situation between the player and the team. But rumors were that Deaderick had missed several meetings. It could very well be that roster competition just got tougher and coach Belichick was just not going to have team personnel distractions and lack of work ethic.
At least Deaderick was cut early in the season and for him it’s still in time to land on another club. Given that the Oakland Raiders was in need to draft defensive lineman, but waited until the sixth round to draft Stacy McGee and David Bass, Deaderick could be a good and inexpensive addition to their roster – sort of close to fill in the hole left by the departure of free agent Tommy Kelly to the Patriots, but not enough to supplement the departure of Desmond Bryant and Richard Seymour. During this year’s UDFA, the Raiders signed just one defensive tackle – Kurt Taufa’asau, but it’s worrisome as Taufa’asau had little play time due to hand and knee injury. We’ll see if the Raiders see value on Deaderick because I think his stats were relatively good.
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