Some quick-hit thoughts on the Patriots' roster moves:

1. The Patriots are still holding out hope that offensive lineman Nick Kaczur (back) could play this season. He was not placed on season-ending injured reserve.

2. On the cuts, the big surprise was outside linebacker Derrick Burgess, followed by 2009 special teams captain Sam Aiken. Despite contributing more at receiver, Aiken was edged out by Matthew Slater in a battle of special teamers. That's a surprise, given that Slater missed most of the preseason because of injury.

3. Rookie free agents Kyle Love (defensive line) and Dane Fletcher (inside linebacker) made the club. Every year, the Patriots seem to have a rookie free agent who emerges, and this year it's Love and Fletcher. While there could always be a move to come, it's still impressive that they made the initial cut.

4. The coaches must be disappointed in the development of young offensive linemen. Rich Ohrnberger (2009 fourth-round pick), George Bussey (2009 fifth-round pick) and rookies Ted Larsen (sixth round) and Thomas Welch (seventh round) all were cut. When the team ended up trading for veteran Quinn Ojinnaka earlier in the preseason, that was the first sign of how the coaching staff viewed the young group. Credit to second-year man Ryan Wendell, a center/guard, for winning the competition for the top backup spot.

5. Losing safety Brandon McGowan to season-ending injured reserve is a big blow. He projected as a big part of the defensive plan early in the season with his ability to match up against opposing tight ends, such as the Bengals' Jermaine Gresham in Week 1 and the Jets' Dustin Keller in Week 2. This looks like the reason the team traded for Chiefs safety Jarrad Page.

6. Letting go of both outside linebacker Pierre Woods and inside linebacker Eric Alexander was a mild surprise given their knowledge of the system. Woods started five games last year and tied for the team lead in special teams tackles.