Veteran cornerback Shawn Springs has been cut by the Patriots. And though the reason for the move still isn’t completely clear, Springs is willing to rule out two possible causes.
First, he said that a knee injury, which ultimately required arthroscopic surgery in January, had nothing to do with the move. “It’s not a knee issue,” Springs said, per Christopher L. Gasper and Albert Breer of the Boston Globe.
Springs also denied that he was one of the locker-room malcontents, even though he was a healthy scratch in four straight games last season. “One of the best things about me is my character,” Springs said regarding a public exchange with linebacker Adalius Thomas that seemed to make light of coach Bill Belichick’s decision to send home four players who showed up late for practice in December. “I don’t think that ever came across as me being a bad influence. That wasn’t me being a bad guy. That was me being a jokester.’'
So why does Springs think he’s out? “It’s hard to evaluate and give young guys a shot if you’ve got me,’' Springs said, referring to a cluster of new and recent talent at the position he plays.
He could eventually return. And he has the right in the interim to play for any other team. But the 13-year veteran could have a hard time earning the $2.25 million in base salary he was due to receive in 2010.