Here are three ripple effects of the pair of releases:
3. Good news Rufus Johnson (and a few others).
The release of Johnson increases the chances for these three roster long shots. With Jamie Collins, Dont’a Hightower and Shea McClellin pretty much loster rocks, there’s really only room for two more linebackers. It will be a race between the likes of Jonathan Freeny, Ramon Humber, these three guys and possibly Kamu Grugier-Hill (although it’s not clear quite yet where the Pats will use him).
Out of this group, Johnson occupies the throne. He is lanky and big at 6-foot-5, 280 pounds and has actually appeared in game action for the Patriots (early last year, before he got a nasty virus that ended his season prematurely).