Another cut day has come and gone for the Patriots, and once again we find some undrafted free agents making the 53-man roster while other “locks” weren’t quite so safe after all.  Here’s a quick rundown of what sticks out in my mind:

-Derrick Burgess (acquired last year for a third and fifth round draft pick from Oakland) is sent packing.  I’m betting his attempted retirement/personal issue that caused him to miss the beginning of training camp was a major factor in his departure.  Not to mention he looked pretty awful in last week’s preseason finale.

-Last year’s special teams’ captain Sam Aiken is now looking for a job.  This one not as surprising seeing how the younger Matthew Slater can fill similar roles on special teams and receiver yet also has dabbled in the defensive secondary.  You know how much Belichick loves versatility (see Brown, Troy).

-Former undrafted free agent outside linebacker and special teamer Pierre Woods is shown the door after 4 seasons in Foxboro.  He did exit with class.  After thanking the organization he stated simply, “this day comes to all of us. Just be ready when it’s your turn. Thanks to the fans. God Bless.”

-The surprises to stick around include Dane Fletcher at linebacker and Kyle Love on the defensive line.  Both went undrafted and will have the chance to try and prove themselves in the regular season.

-Hard hitting safety Brandon McGowan finds himself on season ending IR alongside Ty Warren and Leigh Bodden.  These three loses will have a huge effect on the defense.

While there are plenty of other roster moves that could be discussed (Green-Ellis stays, Maroney gets another chance, Eric Alexander goes) we’ll save those for later in the season.  What really stands out to me is the sudden youth on defense.

For years Patriot fans have clamored for the team to get younger and quicker on D.  We watched as McGinest, Vrabel, Bruschi, Harrison, and others got older and slower but did the little things right.  Now we’ll be watching a defense whose starting secondary has a combined 5 years experience among them.  The starting outside linebackers may be Tully Banta-Cain and Rob Ninkovich (until rookie Jermaine Cunningham is healthy).  Inside you’ll have third year pro Jerod Mayo (coming off a sophmore injury riddled slump) alongside rookie Brandon Spikes.  The bulk of the experience is up front with former top pick turned journeyman Gerard Warren, former undrafted free agent Mike Wright, and finally the one true undeniable stud Vince Wilfork.  The defense will be younger and quicker, but will they do the little things right?  Here’s hoping so, because this whole season will hinge on how they perform.