With Moss back, Patriots cut WR Caldwell

By TIMES WIRES
Published September 4, 2007

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The Patriots released Reche Caldwell, a former Jefferson High and Gator standout, on Monday, when Randy Moss and cornerback Asante Samuel returned to practice.

Caldwell, 28, had a team-high 61 receptions for 760 yards and four touchdowns last season, but had two key drops in the AFC Championship Game loss to the Colts.

The Patriots acquired several receivers during the offseason, including Moss, who missed all four preseason games with a hamstring injury.

Coach Bill Belichick said he wasn't sure if Moss would play in Sunday's opener against the Jets.

Moss said he has maintained his conditioning, but that sitting out has been frustrating.

"I will not be satisfied until I'm out there with the boys," he said. "I don't cut checks. I don't shine shoes. I don't tape ankles. I play football. That's what I came here to do."

Samuels returned after signing a one-year $7.79-million contract last week. His status for Sunday was also uncertain.

EX-BULL MAKES IT BACK: Two years after a freak injury cast serious doubt on his future, former USF standout J.R. Reed is back with the Eagles. He'll likely return kickoffs in the opener at Green Bay on Sunday.

"It's like a dream come true," said Reed, who signed Sunday after he was cut by the Giants. "When (the Eagles) released me, I took a big hit. This is the team that drafted me. It's coming back home."

A fourth-round pick in 2004, Reed had a promising rookie season. But he cut the back of his knee jumping over a fence and damaged a nerve that affects the use of his lower leg and foot.

"They expected me to never play again," he said. "It was a long journey back trying to prove to everybody that I'm healthy."

Reed, 25, sat out the 2005 season. He spent camp with the Eagles last year, among the final cuts. Then he went to St. Louis, Atlanta and most recently spent eight days with New York.

"The injury is not an issue," he said.

BROWNS: Charlie Frye will start at quarterback for Sunday's opener against the Steelers. Frye, who started 13 games last year, battled in camp to keep his job after coach Romeo Crennel turned the starting position into an open competition. Frye outperformed Derek Anderson during preseason. Crennel wouldn't say if Frye's backup was rookie Brady Quinn, a first-round pick out of Notre Dame, or Anderson.

DOLPHINS: Linebacker Joey Porter says his surgically repaired right knee feels better every day, and he is expected to play Sunday at Washington.

GIANTS: Holdout defensive end Michael Strahan reported, six days before the opener.

JAGUARS: Cornerback Aaron Glenn signed, two days after being cut by the Cowboys. Glenn will play behind starters Rashean Mathis and Brian Williams and possibly compete with Terry Cousin for the nickel role. The team needed depth after releasing former Gator Dee Webb and Bruce Thornton.

LIONS: Running back Kevin Jones will start the season on the active roster, but doesn't expect to play before the Oct. 21 game against the Bucs. He broke a bone in his left foot late last season and early prognoses included the possibility of missing all of this season.

PANTHERS: The team addressed its biggest need when it signed safety Marquand Manuel, two days after the former Gator was released by the Packers.

[Last modified September 4, 2007, 01:21:22]