Aug. 30, 2008

In a surprise move Saturday, the Patriots released veteran CB Fernando Bryant in the league-mandated final cutdown to 53 players.

The Patriots had signed the former Lion in March, with the hope that he’d be able to man the starting CB job vacated by Asante Samuel, who signed a lucrative free-agent deal with the Eagles during the offseason. Four days ago, the Pats had terminated the contract of CB Jason Webster, another veteran they had brought in to shore up their secondary. Earlier in the offseason, New England also lost valuable DBs Eugene Wilson and Randall Gay to free agency.

The release of Bryant leaves the starting CB spot opposite Ellis Hobbs a question mark only eight days before the regular-season opener. Rookie Terrence Wheatley and offseason addition Lewis Sanders, a former Falcon, appear the most likely candidates.

Other Patriots released Saturday include LB Victor Hobson, a former Jet who had been signed in April; QB Matt Gutierrez, who lost the battle with Matt Cassel for the backup job behind Tom Brady; and veteran OG John Welbourn, who had been signed earlier this month.