There is some talk out there that Gaffney or Branch could be back after week one, where contracts wouldn't be guaranteed. Seems to make more sense with Gaffney, since Branch was already making the minimum salary for someone with his years.
In some ways, I think this makes sense to cut so many receivers. When healthy, the Pats are going to have Gronk, Hernandez, Lloyd, and Welker on the field for nearly every possession. They'd only have room for another receiver when they went to an empty backfield.
However, I'd like to see someone else who can be an outside receiver if Lloyd went down. I think Edelman can do a good Welker impression, but if he could really be an outside threat, I think we would've seen it last year when we needed one so desperately.
I was really hoping Stallworth was going to step up more. He's very quick and would've been a nice vertical threat backup if Lloyd missed some time.
On another note, I hope they don't keep Kettani. There's no point in carrying a fullback. If McDaniels wants a blocker in the backfield, put one of the TEs back there or a bigger guy from the O or D lines.
