Roster Moves

CB Mike Richardson was released by the club. The 2007 6th round pick from Notre Dame was facing an uphill battle for a roster spot. His early release allows him the opportunity to sign with another team. Brandon Merriweather is now the only pick left from the 2007 draft.

Richardson's release cleared a roster spot for the team to sign RB Chris Taylor. He visited the team last week, but here was no spot for him. Coach Belichick has stated that he wanted six RB's in camp. Sammy Moriss has missed practice since the Eagles game. It became a necessity to sign him in order to have at least five healthy backs. Taylor was released by the Houston Texans last October and had been out of football. He has seen limited action after signing as a free agent in 2006.

The team traded DE LeKevin Smith to Denver for a 5th round draft pick. Smith was in a precarious position to make the team due to recent signings and the 2009 draft choices. The trade allows the team to pick up a fifth round pick which will be flipped to Oakland as part of the Derrick Burgess trade. The Raiders also received the Pats 3rd round pick in next year's draft.
Smith was drafted in the 6th round by the Pats in 2006. He saw action as a reserve last season and 2007. He was only active for three games in 2006.

The team also placed WR Shun White from Navy on the Military Reserve list. He is the third Navy player signed as a free agent, along with RB Eric Kettani and WR Tyree Barnes, to have their rights retained by the team for a three year period.