NFL GridIron Gab Daily Digest

The New England Patriots were dealt a crushing blow to their rebuilding defense on the injury front with the announcement that the team has placed starting cornerback Leigh Bodden on season ending injured reserve Tuesday.

Bodden, who tied for the team lead with five interception last season, has a significant shoulder injury (believed to be a rotator cuff injury), the team announced. Bodden has also been battling a knee injury which sidelined him earlier in the preseason.

Without Bodden, that leaves second year man Darius Butler, and rookie Devin McCourty as the probable starters at cornerback for Week 1. His roster spot may now go to Terrence Wheatley, who was on the bubble prior to this latest news.

The Patriots also placed safety Josh Barrett (shoulder), defensive back Brett Lockett (chest), and defensive lineman Darryl Richard (foot) on injured reserve. Defensive back Terrence Johnson was released as the Patriots cut down their official roster from 80 to 75 players.

The loss of Leigh Bodden (the veteran presence in a secondary full of youngsters) is a huge loss for the Patriots who have already lost defensive end Ty Warren and offensive lineman Nick Kaczur for the season. Stay tuned for more news on the Bodden injury in the coming days.

John Clayton released his annual quarterback rankings, which are sure to stir up a lot of debate among NFL fans. He ranked the quarterbacks into three categories: The Elite, The Chad Pennington Division (can't tell if that's a compliment or slight), and The Hit-Or-Miss Division. So where did Jets young quarterback Mark Sanchez rank on Clayton's list?

23. Mark Sanchez, New York Jets

Analysis: The additions of Braylon Edwards and Santonio Holmes at wide receiver and LaDainian Tomlinson catching passes out of the backfield should allow Sanchez to be a 60 percent thrower. Another ally will be the motion packages offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer can install now that Sanchez has a year of experience in the offense.
Chance of being elite: 50 percent

He has Sanchez above the likes of other young quarterbacks Chad Henne, Matthew Stafford and Sam Bradford. Though, Stafford and Bradford have a greater chance of being elite. Surprisingly, Clayton gives Braford an 85% of becoming elite, which seems way too for a guy that has never thrown a pass in an NFL game. But then again, Clayton also consider Carson Palmer elite so who really knows what he is thinking. Back to Sanchez, he has all the tools to become elite, he just has to put it all together and be more consistent. He will never lead the league in yards or touchdowns, but can be a great quarterback for a long time in this league. He's a long, long way away from that right now and for this season I'd be happy if he can cut down his interception total to a reasonable number (say 15).

According to ESPN Boston.com, the New England Patriots had informed running back Chris Taylor that he would be waived today and the running back was not at the team's practice. The Patriots waited until the 4 p.m. deadline to submit the transaction, and apparently had a change of heart. Taylor's agent, Martin Magid, said he received a call within the last hour that Taylor would not be released today.

Taylor spent last season on injured reserve, and apparently will be around at least until after the Patriots final preseason game Thursday night against the New York Giants.

At 4 p.m. today, the Patriots and the rest of the NFL will face their first cut deadline. The roster, which now stands at 80, will have to be trimmed down to 75. Patriots head coach Bill Belichick explained the process in his press conference yesterday.

"We talk to each player whatever his situation is," Belichick said. "Sometimes we release him. Sometimes they are in a PUP or IR type situation. Sometimes they are involved in a practice squad type of transaction. Whatever it is, we talk to the player. We talk to his representatives and try to get everybody on the same page."

Peter King was in rare form in today's Monday Morning Quarterback segment in his criticism of the Bengals and their handling of the Antonio Bryant situation.  Here's an excerpt of King's harsh words:

Antonio Bryant: What a stupid signing.

One NFL medical person — don't want to be too specific — told me Sunday that the injury that is apparently plaguing fired Cincinnati wideout Antonio Bryant could be Chondral Defect of the knee. "If you're not looking for it, you won't find it," this official said. "It's a long-term knee problem that won't go away."

He goes on to lambast the club some more, even going so far as to assert that the Bengals were the only team interested in Bryant.

Unfortunately in this case, King isn't just spewing his usual "I hate everything Bengal" drivel.  In this particular instance, he has a good point.  How on earth did the club's medical staff clear Bryant?  How did it slip past the pro player personnel team?  How did it get past the coaches, who let Bryant suit up for the first practice of the season?  And why was the whole thing shrouded in more secrecy than a Politburo meeting with overly optimistic reports coming out of the club as late as Thursday?

The bottom line is the Bengals messed up on this one.  Terrell Owens, at 36, signed for roughly 4 million less than what Bryant got without playing a down, and T.O. has already brought more practices, more catches, and more buzz than A.B. ever could.  But then, the excitement stirred by Owens' signing may end up paying for the Bryant mistake and then some.

And when the team needs a big time play during a Super Bowl run, odds are they're better off looking to the new 81 than they ever would be looking at the original.

The NFL mandated 53-man roster trim is set for Saturday, and the Texans' front office have lots a work ahead of them.  For the most part, many cuts will be predictable. However, the Texans have loads of talent, concentrated in certain positions, leaving the possibility of seeing many good players released.  The Texans are talent heavy at defensive tackle, wide receiver, tight end, and in the secondary, and it will be hard to see some good talent end up being released and end up elsewhere besides the practice squad.  Additionally, the Texans will have to make cuts in the offensive line,

At defensive tackle and nose tackle, the Texans have defensive tackles Amobi Okoye, Earl Mitchell, Malcolm Sheppard, Matt Unrein and at nose tackle Shaun Cody, Frank Okam and DelJuan Robinson. The line has been something the Texans have been working on improving for some time now, and it has paid off. The potential is there and the coaching has been paying off. Let's hope the Cowboys game wasn't a fluke.

At wide receiver, the Texans have Andre Johnson, Kevin Walter, Jacoby Jones, David Anderson, Andre Davis, Dorin Dickerson and Bobby Williams. Will Davis be cut with his large contract? Or will Williams be the easy cut?

The Texans tight ends include Owen Daniels (on the Physically Unable to Perform list), James Casey, Joel Dreessen, Garrett Graham and Derick Fine. Fine is the obvious cut due to Daniels being eased back, Dreessen's reliability and blocking ability, Casey's potential and improvement, and Graham's potential and insurance.

After Fred Bennett's release, the Texans cornerbacks include Kareem Jackson, Glover Quin, Brice McCain, Antwaun Molden, Jacques Reeves and Sherrick McManis. The Texans are pleased with McManis' play and might stay put with Reeves' 2008 free agent contract. Strong safety Torri Williams and free safety Nicholas Polk may end up on the practice squad.

Otherwise, the Texans linebacker situation has "issues" according to Kubiak and will likely stay put with Isaiah Greenhouse and Will Patterson closing out the position. Running backs Jeremiah Johnson and Chris Henry are battling it out and Johnson's may not have the speed but he's leading by a mile now. Chris White and Brett Helms are battling it out for the last center spot, and experience is on White's side. Helms was an undrafted rookie in 2009 and served on last year's practice squad. White competed, and then won by default the Texans starting center before starting center Chris Meyers arrival. There's been no change, except remnant memories of last season, in Kris Brown and Neil Racker's kicking competition. At kickoffs, each kicker's kicking for the end zone. Either hasn't missed a kick. The Tampa game is going to be huge, I'd scrap the Week 2 mentality in going for it where a 51-yard kick could be there to test the kickers.  Tackles Steve Maneri and Cole Pemberton will likely find themselves on the practice squad. Will either backup tackle Adam Stenavich or Rashad Butler receive a pink slip?

For now the Texans' front office have under five days to construct their final 53-man roster. From here on out, its only speculation but look for Preseason Week 4's match up at Tampa Bay to be the final audition for many Texan players.