01:00 AM EDT on Wednesday, August 25, 2004

BY SHALISE MANZA YOUNG
Journal Sports Writer

FOXBORO -- And then there was one.

Yesterday, the Patriots cut veteran fullback Fred McCrary, leaving Patrick Pass as the only fullback on the team's depth chart.

McCrary, an eighth-year pro, signed with New England before last season and played in six games before missing the rest of the season with a hamstring injury.

Earlier in training camp, New England coach Bill Belichick said he thought McCrary was doing well physically and looked to be performing adequately in his practice opportunities.

Yesterday, Belichick said the decision to release McCrary was a "mututal decision."

"Fred and I felt that this was the best thing to do at this time," he said, noting that the timing makes it possible for McCrary to hook on with another team before the season starts. "We're certainly not closing the door. I'll just say it was the right thing to do at this point in time."

Pass said yesterday he was surprised at McCrary's release, but that it is part of the business.

"You always feel kind of sad to see one of your comrades leave, but you have to get past it," he said.

Pass knows all too well how McCrary is feeling. After being drafted by the Patriots in 2000, Pass was waived by the team during training camp. He eventually was signed to the practice squad and then to the 53-man roster later that season. In 2003, the former Georgia standout was released toward the end of training camp and then re-signed four weeks into the season.

"It was hard," Pass said of getting cut last year. "But I never let myself get down. When my number is called, I try to do my best."

He has gotten limited reps (29 carries for 119 yards, 14 receptions for 104 yards and one touchdown) in the backfield, but Pass has been a solid contributor, making 10 special-teams tackles last season.

Asked if McCrary's release is a show of faith in Pass's abilities, Pass said he was unsure.

"I don't know what's going on," he said. "I don't know what the game plan will entail. I can't speculate."

Scott out for the year

The Patriots depth in the secondary took a hit yesterday, as Belichick announced that rookie safety Guss Scott will be placed on injured reserve and miss the entire season with a knee injury he suffered in Saturday's preseason loss.

Scott, New England's third-round draft pick and an All-American out of Florida, been practicing with the second defensive unit alongside another rookie safety, Dexter Reid.

Scott was injured covering a kickoff in the second half against the Bengals.

As for Reid, who was drafted in the fourth round, Belichick said yesterday the North Carolina product is "a sharp kid" who is progressing well.

Going to great depth

The fascination over Belichick's giving wide receiver Troy Brown reps as a nickleback continues. Yesterday, safety Rodney Harrison was asked why the move was made.

"To be successful, you have to be well-prepared. In football, you have to have depth, as evidenced by Guss Scott going down. In a single play, he's out for the season," Harrison said. "Troy gives us depth."

The Patriots currently have eight players listed at cornerback on their depth chart -- Ty Law, Asante Samuel, Earthwind Moreland, Tyrone Poole, Terrell Buckley, Eugene Wilson, who is also the starting free safety, and rookies Randall Gay and Christian Morton.

Belichick said Brown's attributes as a slot receiver are what coaches look for in a slot cornerback.

Asked if he'd like to be a two-way player and put in some time on offense, Harrison drew laughs when he said, "Not at all."