FOXBORO ‘- The Patriots released tight end Evan Landi and defensive lineman Anthony Rashad White to meet the NFL-mandatory 75-man roster limit before Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline.
Landi, 23, was signed by the Patriots on Aug. 13. He originally was signed by Tampa Bay as a rookie free agent out of South Florida on April 29, 2013, but was released on June 4, 2013. The 6-foot-3, 236-pounder, played in 46 games at South Florida with 26 starts and finished his career with 72 receptions for 846 yards and three touchdowns. Landi played receiver and quarterback as well during his college career.
White, 24, was signed by the Patriots on July 22. He was originally signed by Pittsburgh as a rookie free agent out of Michigan State on April 27, 2013 but was released by the Steelers on May 14, 2013. The 6-foot-2, 330-pounder, was a three-year letter winner as a nose tackle, seeing action in 39 games with 16 starts and accumulating 65 total tackles. He began his college career at Fort Scott (Kan.) Community College in 2009 before transferring to Michigan State for the 2010 season. White was a starter for his final two seasons.
The two releases means Tim Tebow has survived the first stage of cuts this week. Tebow could see significant playing time at quarterback this Thursday against the Giants at Gillette Stadium. The final cut comes Saturday when all NFL teams must get down to 53 players by 6 p.m. ET.
Belichick was asked about Tebow on Tuesday and where he stands on the roster. Specifically, when keeping a third quarterback, what other positional groups could be affected?
“I don’t know. I think that position doesn’t really line up with any other position,” Belichick said. “Quarterbacks are quarterbacks. I think other positions can, like you said, have a play based in the kicking game or offensive formations or defensive personnel groups or whatever it happens to be but quarterbacks are, I think that’s a whole ‘ how many you carry is based on really that position and that position alone. I don’t think it has too much to do with some other position. Obviously you can keep somebody else at another position if you only keep two quarterbacks but I think it really just comes down to that position itself.
Asked about the experience of coaching Tebow, Belichick was all positive.
“He’s great to work with; outstanding,” Belichick beamed.
What has made him so outstanding?
“Smart, works hard, football is important to him,” Belichick said.
