Love on Patriots: 'That's how they do business'

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Kyle Love was a productive and relatively inexpensive cog on the New England Patriots' defensive line, but he was no longer in the team's plans as of last week.

The Patriots released the fourth-year player after he was diagnosed with diabetes. While Love landed on his feet days later by signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars, he wasn't surprised about getting cut by his first team. (photo: Jeffrey Beall, Wikimedia Commons)

“That’s how they run their business up there; veteran guys who have been there for years and put in a lot of work get treated like rookies,” he told The Florida Times Union.

No Love: Patriots cut another key cog on D-line

BY DAN BEGNOCHE

The hits just keep on coming for the New England Patriots' defensive line this week, as yet another roster spot opened up for the second time in three days.

This time, it was at the expense of fourth-year interior lineman Kyle Love. (photo: Jeffrey Beall, Wikimedia)

Love's agent, Richard Kopelman, said Wednesday that the tackle was being released under the non-football injury designation, alluding to Love's Type-2 diabetes diagnosis as the reason.

Welker not at voluntary workouts, Love signs tender

Photo: Karen Cardoza, Flickr 

BY NICK ST. DENIS

The Patriots placed the franchise tag on receiver Wes Welker earlier this offseason, and Welker reportedly plans on playing under the tag without a fuss.

Welker, however, was absent from the first day of the Patriots' voluntary workouts Monday, according to Boston.com.

Things seem to be on the up-and-up between Welker and the Patriots, so Welker's absence isn't a huge deal. The league's reception leader in 2011 recently told NFL Network he was in "no rush" to sign the tender.

Patriots' restricted free agent defensive lineman Kyle Love, on the other hand, reportedly signed his tender  and was present for Monday's activities.

Patriots lock up key special teamers, solidify D-line

BY NICK ST. DENIS

It's been business as usual for the Patriots since the start of free agency Tuesday.

New England has put a focus on depth the past two days, solidifying important pieces to its special teams arsenal and shoring up the defensive line.

The Patriots re-signed special teams ace Matt Slater, who is listed as a wide receiver. They also retained special-teamer linebackers Tracy White and Niko Koutouvides to one-year contracts. Both 'backers are in their 30s.

More importantly, New England added a likely starter in Jonathan Fanene to its defensive line, signing the defensive end to a $12 million three-year deal that includes a $3.85 million in bonuses, according to Aaron Wilson of Scout.com.

Fanene recorded 6.5 sacks in 16 games for the Bengals last season.

The Patriots also made sure to hang on to defensive lineman Kyle Love, who is only 25 years old and could have an extended relationship with New England if he builds on his 33 tackles and three sacks from a season ago.