The New England Patriots announced several roster moves on Tuesday, releasing wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez, signing rookie free agent tight end Nick Melillo, and making the signings of G/C Jamey Richard and 7th round pick Alfonzo Dennard official.
The most notable of those moves is the release of wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez. Gonzalez was signed back in March and was seen as a low-risk, high-reward signing. He had been injured the better part of the last three years in Indianapolis, but the general consensus was that if he could get healthy, he could be a valuable pick up. Unfortunately for Gonzalez, he seemed to suffer a set-back prior to OTAs, missed the workouts, and is now the first veteran casualty in a very deep wide receiver group. Gonzalez' release leaves Wes Welker, Julian Edelman, rookie Jeremy Ebert and potentially veteran Deion Branch as options at the slot receiver position.
The other notable move was the signing of rookie free agent tight end Nick Melillo. Melillo, undrafted out of Kentucky, is more of an h-back/fullback type tight end. He ran a 4.62 at his pro day, and while he is a longshot to make the roster, he will provide some depth during mini-camp and OTA's at tight end while veterans Rob Gronkowski and Daniel Fells rehab from their own respective injuries.
The signings of Alfonzo Dennard and Jamey Richard had been previously reported.