Patriots cornerback Fernando Bryant’s release from the team comes as a surprise.

>

The Providence Journal / Ruben W. Perez

The New England Patriots, like all NFL teams, trimmed their roster to 53 players yesterday, and there were a couple of surprises among the moves.

Perhaps the biggest surprise is the release of cornerback Fernando Bryant. The 10-year veteran started every game during the preseason and lined up with the first-team defense during training camp.

The Battle of the Matts went to Matt Cassel, as the fourth-year backup was spared, and Matt Gutierrez released. Gutierrez could still stick around, as he is eligible for the practice squad. Many had predicted that Cassel, who struggled throughout the preseason, would be cut.

Here’s a look at the final — for now — roster by position and analysis of the moves:

•QUARTERBACKS (3): Tom Brady, Matt Cassel, Kevin O’Connell; Gutierrez released.

It was clear all along that reigning league MVP Brady and O’Connell, a third-round draft pick this year, would stick around. But Cassel was erratic throughout training camp, which seemingly put his job in jeopardy. The coaching staff clearly gave him the edge over Gutierrez, probably due to his experience in the system. Gutierrez has practice-squad eligibility.

•RUNNING BACKS (5): Heath Evans, Kevin Faulk, LaMont Jordan, Laurence Maroney, Sammy Morris; BenJarvus Green-Ellis released.

Bill Belichick basically said that this would be the move on a couple of occasions last week. Morris suffered a freak injury in Week Six last year, and Maroney missed three games to a groin injury, so the depth will come in handy. Keeping five backs is also a sign that New England will probably run more this season. With Faulk suspended for this week, the team will have to make a roster move next Monday, when he rejoins the team.

•WIDE RECEIVERS (8): Sam Aiken, Jabar Gaffney, Chad Jackson, C.J. Jones, Randy Moss, Matthew Slater, Kelley Washington, Wes Welker; none released.

Jones remaining with the Pats is a surprise, though it may be tied to the health of Welker (ribs), who was injured against the Eagles. Jones, 27, spent the 2005 and ’06 seasons out of football, and is also out of practice-squad eligibility. Moss, Welker and Gaffney figure to be Brady’s top targets once again, with Washington and Jackson hoping to get the occasional look their way. Slater’s impact will be on special teams.

•TIGHT ENDS (3): Stephen Spach, David Thomas, Benjamin Watson; Tyson DeVree and Jonathan Stupar released.

Some predicted that keeping five running backs would lead to New England having only two tight ends on the roster, but both Thomas and Watson have missed time due to injury in recent seasons, and the Pats flat-out like using tight ends.

•OFFENSIVE LINE (8): Wesley Britt, Dan Connolly, Russ Hochstein, Nick Kaczur, Dan Koppen, Matt Light, Logan Mankins, Billy Yates; Oliver Ross placed on reserve/non-football injury list; Mike Flynn, Stephen Sene, John Welbourn and Ryan Wendell released.

This seems to be a case of New England going with what it knows. With the exception of Connolly, who spent the year on the practice squad, all the players the team kept have been in Foxboro for some time. .

•DEFENSIVE LINE (6): Jarvis Green, Richard Seymour, Le Kevin Smith, Ty Warren, Vince Wilfork, Mike Wright; Kenny Smith (arm) placed on injured reserve, Titus Adams and Santonio Thomas released.

This group is exactly as expected. Green is one of the top reserve linemen in the league, and Wright and Le Kevin Smith can both fill play both end and nose tackle.

•LINEBACKERS (9): Eric Alexander, Tedy Bruschi, Shawn Crable, Gary Guyton, Larry Izzo, Jerod Mayo, Adalius Thomas, Mike Vrabel, Pierre Woods; Bo Ruud (ankle) placed on injured reserve, Victor Hobson and Vince Redd released

Every year an undrafted rookie makes it on the roster, and Guyton fills that role this year, beating out an established veteran in Hobson in the process. Hobson struggled to make the switch to inside linebacker, and Guyton showed well in his time at the spot. This unit is a good mix of experience and youth, something that’s been lacking in recent years. Ruud’s injury against the Giants was probably something of a blessing, as he didn’t figure to stick around otherwise. If he clears waivers, Redd expect to see him back on the practice squad.

•DEFENSIVE BACKS (9): Rodney Harrison, Ellis Hobbs, John Lynch, Brandon Meriweather, James Sanders, Lewis Sanders, Ray Ventrone, Terrence Wheatley, Jonathan Wilhite; Bryant, Mike Richardson and Antwain Spann released.

With Bryant cut, the question has to be asked: Is Ty Law on his way back to New England? He remains unsigned and has spoken with Belichick and Scott Pioli about returning to the team that drafted him in 1995. Otherwise, the opening-day starters at corner will probably be Hobbs and rookie Wheatley. One can’t help but feel good for the hard-working Ventrone, who is learning the receiver spot. Lewis Sanders’ survival is a bit of a surprise as he didn’t appear to do much to distinguish himself in the preseason.

•SPECIALISTS (3): Stephen Gostkowski, Chris Hanson, Lonie Paxton; none released.

These three were about the only guys who woke up yesterday morning not worried that they’d be released. No one has been around to challenge them for their spots.

smanza@projo.com