The Patriots have announced their roster moves to get down to the NFL limit of 53 players.

Released were: DL Titus Adams, T Wesley Britt, DB Herana-Daze Jones, LB Paris Lenon, WR Terrence Nunn, DB Jamar Love, T Ryan O'Callaghan, DL Darryl Richard, TE Alex Smith and WR Ray Ventrone.

Placed on injured reserve were: OL George Bussey (knee), LB Shawn Crable (groin) and RB Chris Taylor (shoulder).

New England also traded TE David Thomas, a third-round pick in 2006, to New Orleans for what the Boston Globe reports is a seventh-round draft pick, and acquired TE Michael Matthews from the Giants for an undisclosed draft pick.

Some surprises to me: the release of O'Callaghan and Britt leaves New England with just three tackles -- Matt Light, Nick Kaczur, and rookie Sebastian Vollmer. Benjamin Watson, who has become a solid blocker, remains, as does RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis. S/SpT Matthew Slater stays off injured reserve after a nasty-looking left arm injury on Thursday night.