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2000 Season Cuts - Part 1
by Clint Mills (8/16/2000)

The Patriots yesterday released veteran WR Vincent Brisby. Brisby was the 4th draft selection of the Bill Parcells ERA, selected 58th overall in the 2nd round in 1993 behind Drew Bledsoe, Chris Slade, and Todd Rucci. Brisby led all NFL rookie receivers with 45 receptions in the '93 season, and steadily improved over the next two seasons. Brisby enjoyed his best year in 1995. The Patriots were a disappointing 6-10, but Brisby started all 16 games, hauling in 66 balls for 974 yards.

Following the promising 1995 season, a series of leg injuries limited Brisby to just 48 total receptions over the next four years. Even with injuries to Terry Glenn and Troy Brown over those seasons, Brisby was never able to reassert himself as a starter. With the offseason departure of Shawn Jefferson, Belichick had declared the #2 receiver spot opposite Glenn as Brisby's to lose. Brisby consistently took snaps with the starting offense in practice, and started all 3 of the preseason games.

Apparently Belichick, Offensive Coordinator Charlie Weis, and incumbent WR coach Ivan Fears were not impressed enough to justify Brisby's $750,000 base salary. This leaves the Patriots with one veteran starter at WR, Terry Glenn, who himself has had problems staying on the field for 16 games. Troy Brown is best suited to the slot receiver position on 3rd down and spread formations. This leaves the enigmatic Tony Simmons, along with Sean Morey, Duane Looker, Shockmain Davis, and the newly acquired ex-Giant Chris Calloway to compete for Brisby's vacated starting position.