Patriots Roster Moves: Maybe Good-Bye Tyrone McKenzie?

The Patriots have recently signed quarterback Jonathan Crompton and defensive lineman Lorenzo Washington to the practice squad. For those keeping track, prior to these moves, the Patriots had room for one player on their practice squad, due to the promotion of Sergio Brown to the main roster. That means that one other player must be removed from the practice squad, in order to add both Crompton and Washington.

From today's practice, it appears as if Wide Receiver Darnell Jenkins and ILB Tyrone McKenzie were not in attendance, meaning that one of these players could be on the chopping block. For some reason, the Twittersphere seems to believe that McKenzie is the likely player to be shown the door, even though the removal of Jenkins would make just as much, if not more, sense.

Jenkins is pushed down on the depth chart, behind Deion Branch, Wes Welker, Brandon Tate, Julian Edelman and Taylor Price. The Patriots even were doing due diligence and looked at wide receiver Taj Smith. It would make sense for Jenkins to be the odd man out, since he has a very small chance of ever being promoted to the game day roster. That would allow the Patriots to retain McKenzie.

There still can be made a case for the elimination of McKenzie from the team. McKenzie has also fallen down the depth chart, behind Jerod Mayo, Brandon Spikes, Gary Guyton and Dane Fletcher, as well as special teamer Tracy White. McKenzie missed all of last season with an injury and hasn't shown enough development to deserve a game day roster spot. With the young age of Mayo, Spikes, Guyton and Fletcher (Mayo is the "old man" of the group and is in his 3rd year in the NFL), there may be no room for upward mobility for McKenzie.

So there is case for getting rid of both players. I'm hoping McKenzie sticks on the roster. Of course, both players could have been signed by other teams. We'll just have to wait and see.

Find out about the new players after the jump!

Jonathan Crompton is a rookie who was drafted in the 5th round by the San Diego Chargers. He was a three year starter for the Tennessee Volunteers and was mediocre, until he had a solid senior year. He has a strong arm, but has accuracy problems. He's not a mobile quarterback and will struggle to make throws as he locks onto his target. He's nothing more than a training camp body since he lacks the qualities of a strong quarterback- he needs to improve on his accuracy and decision making skills before he progresses. For now, he's just a camp body to help out in practice.

Lorenzo Washington is also a rookie and was picked up as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys. Washington played across from Brandon Deaderick in Alabama's 3-4 defense last season, but was supplanted by future star Marcell Dareus over the course of the season due to his inconsistent play. He is a strong player who knows how to stop the run, but he lacks the ability to generate pressure on the quarterback and has poor technique. With so many players on the roster who fit the "strong player who is solid against the run, but struggles against the quarterback" mold already on the roster (hello Ron Brace, Ty Warren, Gerard Warren and Brandon Deaderick), it looks as if Washington might stay a practice squad player. However, with so many young defensive linemen on the roster/injured (Kyle Love, Darryl Richard and Kade Weston), Washing could possibly push these players next season for a roster spot.

So welcome both Crompton and Washington to the New England Patriots!