Before the 2007 season, it seemed that the Patriots were stockpiling wide receivers.

This year, there's been a run on cornerbacks, and between the free agent signings of Shawn Springs and Leigh Bodden, the drafting of Darius Butler and the development of Terrence Wheatley and Jonathan Wilhite, it quickly seemed like there were a lot of corners and not enough roster spots.

So although Ellis Hobbs had been one of the best kick returners in the NFL over the last couple of years, he was the player deemed expendable, and was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles today for two fifth-round draft picks. New England then flipped those picks for fourth- and sixth-rounders from Baltimore.

Fans frequently derided Hobbs' play, but he was seemingly miscast, particularly last year, when he was counted on to be a top corner. There also is no way of knowing what type of impact his role as kick returner had on his play with the defense; Hobbs also frequently played through injury.

But clearing him off the roster saves New England over $2.5 million in cap space -- Hobbs was entering the final year of his rookie contract, but had triggered $2 million in salary escalators.

And I'll float it out there: that money can be used on Jason Taylor. Personally, I think it's only a matter of time until the signing of Taylor is announced. Bill Belichick has a great deal of respect for Taylor, and he has made allowances for certain veteran players before when it comes to being able to pass on the offseason program and workouts or when they show up for training camp. When Roman Phifer was with New England, he was allowed to fly home to California after games and wasn't required to be back at the facility until Wednesday...