The Patriots release today of linebacker Rosevelt Colvin was curious, and then again, it wasn't. It's not immediately known if the team was trying to restructure the final year of his deal, but the contract as was was going to cost the Patriots $7.6 million on the salary cap.

On the flip side, Colvin was the best pass rushing linebacker the Patriots had, and despite his injury problems, linebacker is a spot the club could be paper thin at, especially if Tedy Bruschi and Junior Seau decide not to return. Some feel both will, because they want that one final shot at a ring and don't want to go out with the memory of Eli Manning beating them. My guess is Bruschi comes back and Seau does not. Either way -- the team also released the promising Oscar Lua,whose rookie year never materialized due to injury -- linebacker is a pressing issue for the New England Patriots.

Stay tuned.

-- TOM KING