Artrell Hawkins’ smooth, baritone voice always conjured images of him hosting a “Quiet Storm” type of late-night, love-song-centered radio show.

But Hawkins also had another skill — that of an NFL-caliber defensive back.

Unfortunately for him, however, the 30-year-old finds himself unemployed this morning, having been released by the New England Patriots yesterday in the most surprising of several roster moves.

The Patriots also released second-year corner Gemara Williams and rookie linebacker Kyle Bissinger, while re-signing Vinny Testaverde.

Hawkins was brought aboard in November 2005, when a series of injuries to Rodney Harrison, Guss Scott, Duane Starks, Tyrone Poole, Chad Scott and Randall Gay left the New England secondary thinner than Michael Vick’s chances of playing in the NFL this season. He immediately was thrown into the fire,

The former second-round draft pick (1998, Cincinnati) had played corner for most of his career, but Patriots assistant coach Dean Pees suggested trying Hawkins at safety when he came to New England.

“As it turned out, it was a great move, for him and for us,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick said in January. “I’ve had a few guys that have (made the switch from corner to safety), but I think he’s done it as well as anybody has.”

Hawkins loved moving back to safety so much, he vowed he’d play there for the rest of his career.

After he was signed by the Pats, Hawkins started the final four games of the 2005 season plus the first two playoff games of his career at safety, and due to more injuries, this time to Harrison and Eugene Wilson, he started 12 of the 14 games he played last season, plus all three postseason contests.

Last year, Hawkins recorded 62 tackles (42 solo) and an interception, and also tied for the team lead with 15 special-teams takedowns.

Two things likely led to his fate yesterday, however: depth, and, ironically, his own injury status. Hawkins had not practiced since Aug. 8 and missed both preseason games with an undisclosed injury.

With Harrison and Wilson healthy, rookie Brandon Meriweather showing well in camp, the rise of James Sanders, and special-teamers Willie Andrews and Mel Mitchell also at the position, it became difficult to keep Hawkins around.

Belichick said it’s hard to cut any player, but especially a veteran who worked as hard as Hawkins.

“Artrell is a very professional guy, a good player, a tough kid. He stepped into a tough situation two years ago, with not being with the team early in the year, and moved to safety and so forth,” Belichick said. “It really is hard.”

Williams, who spent last year on injured reserve, and Bissinger, an undrafted rookie, had also both missed practice time this week due to injury.

Not exactly news

In announcing the re-signing of Testaverde, New England revealed its worst-kept secret.

The biography of the 43-year old, 21-year veteran was already in the Patriots’ 2007 media guide — published more than three weeks ago — and Testaverde had told one media outlet that his agreement with the team was for him to return after training camp two-a-days were over. They ended Wednesday.

Belichick has a long history with Testaverde, dating to 1993, when Belichick was coach of the Browns and brought the former Heisman Trophy winner to Cleveland. In New England’s regular-season finale in Tennessee on New Year’s Eve, Belichick, who has a great appreciation for football history, had Testaverde on the field for the Pats’ final touchdown drive. Testaverde’s six-yard touchdown pass to Troy Brown gave him at least one scoring pass in an NFL-record 20 consecutive seasons.

Smith impresses

Defensive lineman Le Kevin Smith, who started at left end Friday night due to Ty Warren’s elbow injury and also played nose tackle in the second half, opened eyes with his play against the Titans.

The second-year man out of Nebraska was a sixth-round pick last year and made the 53-man roster but was only active for three regular-season games, recording two tackles.

But the 6-foot-3, 308-pound Georgia native has made significant progress this year.

“I think Le Kevin’s made a jump from last year to this year; in his offseason training, his strength and conditioning and his quickness and explosion. I think his techniques are better,” Belichick said, adding that last year Smith would not have been asked to play left end because he rarely practices there and he was still learning the Pats’ 3-4 defensive system.

“He’s definitely improved. He’s still got a long way to go, but he’s improved quite a bit from last year. That’s a positive and that’s what you like to see from young players, especially those who didn’t get a lot of playing time during their rookie year.”

On Friday night, Smith said he has welcomed playing behind such a deep and talented unit, and is “like a sponge” when it comes to tips and teachings from Vince Wilfork, Jarvis Green and the rest of the defensive lineman.

Imperfect conditions

The only time football conditions are ideal is inside a dome, and the Patriots have had a chance to deal with adverse weather conditions in both of their exhibition games. Against the Buccaneers, the game-time temperature was 90 degrees, with a heat-index over 100; and Friday’s warmup was interrupted by an intense rainstorm. The rain hung around for much of the game, and the wind was also a factor.

“With had some moisture (Friday) night, had some rain during the game, and played on a damp field,” Belichick said. “That definitely gave us an emphasis on ball-handling, footing and so forth, so I think we’ve gained valuable experience. Even the wind was a bit of a factor.”

smanza@projo.com