In a move that surely will lead to far more questions than answers, the New England Patriots cut wide receiver Doug Gabriel yesterday.

Acquired in a trade with Oakland just before the regular-season opener, Gabriel, a 6-foot-2, 215-pound fourth-year pro, saw his playing time reduced considerably after a costly fumble against the Jets last month. In the last two games, however, it seemed that Gabriel was working his way out of the doghouse.

Gabriel had 25 catches for 344 yards and three touchdowns for New England. All except one of those catches came before the Nov. 12 game against New York. His only reception post-fumble was against Detroit two weeks ago.

Last week, Gabriel told the Journal, "If I made a mistake, I made a mistake, and that's in the past," and said he did not know if his fumble in the loss to the Jets led to him seeing fewer snaps. "I don't know what it is. I don't ever think about nothing like that. I just go out there and do my job, whether in practice or a game. That's what I'm here for. I'm here to play whenever my number's called. That's what they got me here for, so I come to do my job."

He also said he was happy in New England.

Gabriel's agent, James "Bus" Cook, did not return a call last night. The move leaves the Patriots with 52 players on the active roster.

Also yesterday, the Pats made a few practice-squad moves, signing their own former third-round draft pick, Guss Scott, as well as Justin Phinesee, and releasing James Patrick. All are defensive backs.

Scott, a 2004 draftee, spent his rookie season on injured reserve and played in five games last season before again suffering a season-ending injury. After being cut by New England at the end of training camp, Scott spent more than two months with the Texans and a week with the Jets before yesterday's move.

Phinesee was drafted by Tampa Bay in the seventh round this year and was cut on Aug. 29. He was on Kansas City's practice squad from Oct. 4 to Nov. 7. Patrick spent all of last season on the Buccaneers' practice squad and was released at the end of the preseason. He was signed to the Pats' practice squad on Nov. 1.

smanza@projo.com / (401) 277-7340