The Patriots are letting go of another veteran, but this time it’s on the defensive side of the ball. ESPN’s Field Yates reports (via Twitter) that the team will be releasing veteran safety Eddie Pleasant.
The 29-year-old joined the Patriots earlier this offseason after having spent his entire six-year career with the Texans. The former undrafted free agent out of Oregon developed into a reliable special teamer and backup safety during his tenure in Houston, compiling 79 tackles, 2.5 sacks, three interceptions, and 17 passes defended in 78 career games. He ultimately appeared in 76 of 80 possible regular season games since his sophomore season.
In New England, Pleasant was expected to be reliable veteran on special teams, and he was even serving as a second-team safety during the early parts of camp. However, the veteran was signed late in the offseason, leaving him little time to learn the playbook. The defensive back ended up playing sparingly during the team’s first three postseason games, compiling only four tackles (all of which came during the team’s opener).
With Devin McCourty, Patrick Chung, Duron Harmon, and key special-teamer Nate Ebner presumably locked into the roster, the Patriots will now turn to the other safeties for one of their final roster spots. That grouping includes Jordan Richards, Brandon King, and Damarius Travis.
I’m going to go out on a limb here and guess that this wasn’t a pleasant day for Eddie.
As the song goes, I’m sure [he’s] seen better days…
Really though, it shouldn’t be much of a shock for Eddie…He was fighting an uphill battle, basically, ever since he signed on..
Who knows though, with one more week to go, maybe a team will take another shot at him.. His release could end up being a blessing in disguise..
And hopefully Eddie’s Notso Pleasant season continues…
More Pleasant news out of New England.