To make room for newly acquired offensive lineman/tight end Steve Maneri, the team released second year inside linebacker Tyrone McKenzie.

This move is a bit surprising, but is certainly is a display of confidence in rookie free agent Dane Fletcher.  Fletcher is now presumably the fourth inside linebacker and fifth outside linebacker on the Patriots' active roster.

While McKenzie wasn't exactly the player Patriots fans hoped he would be, you can't help but wonder if Maneri and Tracy White will provide more value to the team.  McKenzie played really well in the preseason finale, and played well in goal line situations throughout camp.  He was also the team's second string strong-side inside linebacker.

With the work ethic and great attitude that McKenzie has, I believe that he will quickly find another NFL team, and still has the potential to be a good linebacker in this league.  In New England, McKenzie was hurt by a numbers game.  Rookie 2nd round pick Brandon Spikes is the starter, while 3rd year man Gary Guyton will be getting most of the snaps in sub-packages for the team.