New England Patriots release WR Reche Caldwell

by Josh @ Pats Pulpit on Sep 3, 2007 1:23 PM EDT

Two days after the NFL requires teams to have only 53 players on their rosters, the New England Patriots released Reche Caldwell.

Signed in the off-season last year, Reche lead the team in receiving in 2006 with 61 receptions for 760 yards and 4 touchdowns.

The receivers left on the active roster are: Randy Moss, Donte' Stallworth, Wes Welker, Jabar Gaffney and Kelley Washington. Troy Brown and Chad Jackson are also on the team, but Brown is recovering from off-season surgery and Jackson is recovering from injuries.

The Patriots filled Caldwell's roster spot quickly by re-signing TE Marcellus Rivers. The team released Rivers in their final roster cut-down on Saturday.

In other roster news, the Patriots have signed seven players to their practice squad: WRs CJ Jones and Bam Childress, FB Kyle Eckel, LB Corey Mays, OT Clint Oldenburg, DL Santonio Thomas and TE Jason Rader.

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Two Words

...thank god.

by DanieXJ on Sep 3, 2007 1:46 PM EDT reply actions

Caldwell

I thought he was a class guy and a team player. I know he had some key drops in the AFC Title game, but they might not have made it there in the first place without him. It just goes to show you the talent that they have brought on board if their leading receiver from last year is expendable. I wish him luck and hope he does well with a new team......... just not too well......

by smteri42 on Sep 3, 2007 9:29 PM EDT reply actions

Caldwell

Reche Caldwell was seen leaving the Patriots practice facility today. He had no comment for the press, although he looked suprised.

by DonFrancisco on Sep 3, 2007 10:56 PM EDT reply actions

He kind of ALWAYS looked surprised

I think that's just the way he looks.

Anyway, it appears the Patriot were holding onto Caldwell until they were sure Moss was ready, which he evidently is. It's not surprising New England wouldn't keep six receivers on the active roster, especially if they expect Troy Brown and/or Chad Jackson to return in six weeks.

However, it's interesting that they re-signed tight end Marcellus Rivers after releasing Caldwell, giving them four tight ends on the active roster. They will probably be taking hard looks at tight end David Thomas and Rivers, and the low man will be released when either Brown or Jackson come back.

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by tommasse on Sep 4, 2007 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions

Jackson

Do you see Chad Jackson heading for IR if the current crop of Wideouts perform as expected?

by smteri42 on Sep 4, 2007 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions

That's a really tough call

More so because we know very little about the real nature of Jackson's injuries last year, his offseason knee surgery, how he looks on the practice field, how well he has learned the playbook, and whether he'd be a valued special teams player.

If the Patriots really believe he has great potential, they will either activate him if he's healthy or put him on IR if he isn't. I don't think the performance of the current receivers has any bearing. Assuming the other 53 players (particularly the receivers) are healthy, I think they'll more likely decide to part ways with David Thomas or Marcellus Rivers.

A lot will also depend on the health of Troy Brown and the state of the defensive secondary. If there are injuries or poor performances in the secondary, Brown could find a home there.

If not, there's no way New England will carry 7 wideouts. Someone will have to go. All things being equal, that's probably Brown. But it could be Kelley Washington or Jabar Gaffney. Or Randy Moss if he reverts to his disreputable ways.

We have 9 weeks before some of those decisions need to be made, so let's see how September goes, and we'll revisit.

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by tommasse on Sep 4, 2007 7:56 PM EDT up reply actions