Okay, so this isn't really news. Heck, we don't even know if Chad Ochocinco will be back with the Patriots in 2012 (taking a pay cut will probably be the only way). But for those interested, Patriots receiver Chad Ochocinco will be changing his name back to Chad Johnson... at least according to a TMZ report:

Say goodbye to Chad Ochocinco ... the Patriots star is telling friends, he plans to change his last name BACK to Johnson in time for his wedding this summer -- because he doesn't want his wife to have a made-up last name.

Ocho's wedding to his "Basketball Wives" fiancee Evelyn Lozada is set for July in Florida -- and sources tell TMZ, the wide receiver plans to legally change his last name back to the one he was born with before he ties the knot.

Umm... cool. I guess. Of course, now that I finally got used to calling him "Ocho" I'll have to go back to calling him by the last name "Johnson." Or maybe I'll just stick to Ocho. Okay, this article has run its course.

Shortly after the conclusion of each season, NFL teams often sign players to "future contracts" for the upcoming season. Often, these players are first year guys or players that were on the team's practice squad. Today, the Patriots have announced the signing of seven players to future contracts. These players were:

OL Matt Kopa

DE/LB Markell Carter

DE/LB Aaron Lavarias

DB Ross Ventrone

WR Tiquan Underwood

LB Mike Rivera

WR Britt Davis

The big names here are obviously Underwood, Ventrone, and Carter. Underwood and Ventrone will get a chance to compete for a spot on the 53 man roster - it's tough to say if they will secure those spots but they do look like slightly longer shots at this point.

As for Carter - I'm feeling optimistic about him. The second year player was drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL Draft, and has really bulked up since, while winning numerous "practice player of the week" honors. He could compete for a role on the team at either outside linebacker or defensive end. While he still is likely a bit raw in his technique, a full offseason could really help him capitalize on his potential. In terms of outside linebackers, I also think that Aaron Lavarias could have some potential, based on what I saw from him moving in space during training camp.

Tight ends Carson Butler and Dorin Dickerson were the lone players from the practice squad not signed to future contracts (Dickerson ended the year on practice squad injured reserve).

The Patriots have announced the inactives for the Super Bowl:

QB Ryan Mallett

RB Kevin Faulk

RB Shane Vereen

OG Donald Thomas

OC Nick McDonald

DL Ron Brace

LB Gary Guyton

The only real surprise is Kevin Faulk being inactive, although the release of WR Tiquan Underwood shows that Bill Belichick will not be sentimental in this Super Bowl.

Vereen remains inactive as he has the majority of the season.

Thomas and McDonald are inactive as the offensive line is healthy- which is important as both rookie Marcus Cannon and veteran Sebastian Vollmer are tagged as active.

Brace and Guyton are inactive as neither player can find a consistent role on the Patriots defense.

Chad Ochocinco is tagged "active" which means that he may have a larger role on offense.

Newly signed Alex Silvestro is active and should play a role on special teams.

The Patriots did not designate any defensive backs "inactive" which should provide the Patriots plenty of depth in the secondary.

Edit: Giants Inactives-

Ramses Barden, Da'Rel Scott, Mark Herzlich, Jim Cordle, Justin Trattou, Jimmy Kennedy, James Brewer

Yesterday, when news broke that the Patriots had released wide receiver Tiquan Underwood, you couldn't help but feel for the guy. To get cut the night before the biggest game of your life? That's got to be tough. However, Underwood is taking it in stride. This morning, he texted ESPN's Ed Werder, and kept it classy:

"I don't want to be a distraction to the game or the New England Patriots.....i will say this, The New England Patriots are a GREAT Organization. I wish them nothing but the best today. This season has been dedicated to Myra Kraft (MHK) Mr Kraft's wife....w/ that being said i hope they pull out the victory in honor of her & because the coaches & players have worked so hard this season for the opportunity to play in Super Bowl 46. Go Pats!!!! #PatsNation

Multiple media outlets are reporting that Underwood's release had nothing to do with discipline and that the Patriots intend to bring him back to the team next season. Still, you've got to hope that Robert Kraft saves a seat for him in the luxury box.

ESPN's Adam Schefter also reported, via Twitter, that Underwood is eligible for his Super Bowl bonus, and championship ring if the Patriots are to win.

The Patriots have made a roster move on the eve of Super Bowl XLVI. Earlier this evening, the team announced that wide receiver Tiquan Underwood has been released, with the team promoting defensive end Alex Silvestro from the practice squad.

The move is a bit surprising on the eve of the Super Bowl, and makes you wonder if the Patriots will be without a defensive lineman for the Super Bowl, since there would be no point in promoting Silvestro if he wasn't active. The Patriots also could be promoting Silvestro in preparation of playing more 4-man fronts, as Silvestro is seen as more of a "traditional" 4-3 defensive end.

As for Underwood, I imagine it has to be heartbreaking to be released on the eve of the Super Bowl. But that's the NFL for you: it's a business, even during Super Bowl week.

Of course, Underwood's release likely indicates that receiver Chad Ochocinco, inactive after the passing of his father last week, will be active for Super Bowl XLVI. How much he plays, of course, is still up in the air.

The Patriots have another Pro Football Hall of Fame player. This evening, former Patriots running back Curtis Martin was elected to the Hall of Fame in just his second year of eligibility.

Martin, who played his college ball at Pittsburgh, was drafted by the Patriots in the third round (74th overall) in the 1995 NFL Draft. Martin played three years for the Patriots, helping lead the team to its second ever Super Bowl appearance in 1996. Some other honors Martin received during his time with the Patriots included the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, two Pro Bowl appearances (1995, 1996) and two All-Pro appearances (1995, 1996). His 1,487 rushing yards in 1995 were a Patriots rookie record.

Martin's 14,101 career rushing yards have him ranked 4th all-time. While his career in New England came to a premature end, and he will mostly be remembered for his time with the Jets, I will always have fond memories of Martin.

In fact, growing up, Martin was my favorite player (Drew Bledsoe was a close second). He remains a class act and a really good person. In fact, a chance encounter with Martin at the Patriots' team hotel during the 1996 season was one of the primary reasons I ever became so passionate about pursuing a career in football and sports journalism (I was six at the time, and Martin was more than happy to spend a few minutes at me, late at night on the eve of a game). To this day, I still have the youth size small jersey that Martin signed for me.

What are your thoughts on Martin's excellent, albeit brief, career with the Patriots?

Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski has taken the field for the first time since the AFC Championship. The Patriots' most recent practice participation report lists the All-Pro tight end as a "limited" participant.

While reports have been circulating for the past week and a half that Gronkowski will indeed play in Super Bowl XLVI, this is the first tangible evidence that Gronkowski's condition is indeed improving. All indications are that Gronkowski will take the field for Super Bowl XLVI. While we can still sit back and debate his effectiveness, debating whether or not he actually plays, at this point, seems pointless.

The rest of the Patriots participation report remained constant, with no other players missing practice. Dane Fletcher, Pat Chung, Kyle Love, Logan Mankins, Brandon Spikes, Wes Welker were part of a group of ten players listed as "limited" in practice. Deion Branch, Dan Connolly, Matt Light, Matt Slater, and James Ihedigbo were all listed as having fully participated in practice despite illness or injury.

Yesterday, the NFL announced the official Super Bowl officials for Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis. We're a day behind, but thought we'd pass on the word to you anyways. The official press release:

Referee JOHN PARRY will lead the seven-man crew of game officials selected to work Super Bowl XLVI this Sunday between the New York Giants and New England Patriots at Lucas Oil Stadium, the NFL announced today.

The other members of the Super Bowl XLVI officiating crew are CARL PAGANELLI (umpire), TOM STABILE (head linesman), GARY ARTHUR (line judge), GARY CAVALETTO (field judge), LAIRD HAYES (side judge) and TONY STERATORE (back judge). The Super Bowl XLVI officiating crew collectively has 94 years of NFL officiating experience and 69 combined playoff game assignments.

Parry, in his 12th season as an NFL game official, served as the side judge in Super Bowl XLI. Promoted to referee in 2007, he has officiated nine playoff games - one Super Bowl, one Conference Championship, six Divisional playoffs and one Wild Card game.

Under the NFL officiating program's evaluation system, the highest-rated eligible officials at each position earn the right to work the Super Bowl. Super Bowl officials must have at least five years of NFL experience and previous playoff assignments.

LARRY NEMMERS is the replay assistant. The video operator is LOU NAZZARO.

What do you think of this crew?