New England Patriots cut TE Ben Hartsock
By Dan Zinski
The New England Patriots have parted ways with former Panthers TE Ben Hartsock just days after signing the veteran, reports Mike Reiss.
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The 34-year-old Hartsock was picked up by New England after they waived tight ends Justin Jones and Asa Watson over the weekend. But Hartsock’s audition didn’t go so well and now New England has another opening for a tight end.
Visanthe Shiancoe, are you out there?
Hartsock has managed to have a very long career despite not being particularly great at catching the football. Originally signed as a UDFA by the Colts in 2004, the former Ohio State Buckeye has been employed in the NFL somewhere every year since then, with stops in Tennessee, Atlanta, New York (Jets) and Carolina along the way.
In all those years, Hartsock has managed to amass 31 receptions for 312 yards and 1 TD. His best statistical season – relatively, since he’s never had an actual good statistical season – was 2007 when he caught 12 balls for 138 yards in Tennessee. His lone TD catch came in 2009 as a member of the Jets.
Hartsock’s release leaves the Patriots with Rob Gronkowski, Michael Hoomanawanui and D.J. Williams as their total tight end corps, and all three guys happen to be dealing with physical issues right now. If the Patriots want to even be able to practice properly, they will have to pick up another tight end.
What is Garrett Mills up to these days, we have to wonder?
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