Patriots likely to cut G Nick Kaczur

[balta1701-A]

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The New England Patriots appear on the verge of lopping offensive lineman Nick Kaczur from the roster.

 

Boston Herald reporter Ian R. Rapoport, citing an unnamed source, writes the Patriots have approached Kaczur about taking a pay cut, and Kaczur has declined.

 

The source told Rapoport the Patriots will have to cut Kaczur if they don't want to pay him a base salary of $3.4 million.

 

Kaczur missed last season with a back injury that required surgery in training camp. He was pegged to start at left guard until Logan Mankins' contract dispute concluded.

 

The Patriots got along just fine without Kaczur. Mankins came back and earned first-team All-Pro honors and started in the Pro Bowl. Right tackle Sebastian Vollmer was voted second-team All-Pro. Dan Connolly emerged as a quality backup.

 

Kaczur has been a starter since the Patriots drafted him in the third round out of Toledo six years ago. Left tackle Matt Light was able to play only three games in 2005, giving Kaczur 11 starts at left tackle as a rookie. Kaczur flipped to right tackle the next season and stayed there.

[defiantgiant]

Can't hurt to give him a shot. If they're really going to let him walk, Lovie and company should bring him in for a workout and see if he can play guard. He's going to be 32 before the season starts, but at least he'd give them the flexibility to draft a developmental guard instead of needing to spend an early pick on an immediate starter. Even if he's just a one-year band-aid, that'd be useful.

[Boston Boxer]

he is coming off back surgery. No thanks