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February 26, 2008

Pats release Colvin and Lua

New England has announced that veteran linebacker Rosevelt Colvin as well as Oscar Lua have both been cut by the team.

Colvin's release, first reported by the Boston Globe earlier today, is something of a surprise. Though he was set to earn $7.6 million this season, the final year of the six-year free agent deal he signed in 2003, New England's linebacking situation is very much in flux: Tedy Bruschi and/or Junior Seau could decide to retire, and while Adalius Thomas and Mike Vrabel both are experienced at middle linebacker, backups Pierre Woods (an OLB) and Eric Alexander (MLB) are both inexperienced at this point.

However, Colvin suffered season-ending injuries in both 2003 -- a hip injury that initially was believed to be career-threatening -- and this season, when a foot injury in November 25 put him on the shelf. Without Colvin, the Pats' pass rush seemed to suffer.

The move saves New England $5.5 million (Colvin's base salary for the season) against the salary cap by releasing him.

Lua was drafted in the seventh round out of USC last year and was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury before the regular season began. It was believed he would be part of the future at middle linebacker.

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 5:10 PM | Permalink

Comments

Posted by: j.p. at February 26, 2008 5:35 PM