Gonzalez Cut, Dennard and Two Others Signed

Anthony Gonzalez is no longer a potential target for Tom Brady. The team announced that Gonzalez was released.

The New England Patriots cut former Indianapolis Colts first-round wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez.

Gonzalez was signed during free agency, but the Patriots have a crowded receiving corps with Brandon Lloyd, Wes Welker, Deion Branch, Jabar Gaffney and Chad Ochocinco.

A former Ohio State standout, Gonzalez has caught 99 passes for 1,307 yards and seven touchdowns in five seasons with the Colts.

Last season, Gonzalez played in eight games and had zero catches. Gonzalez, 27, has struggled with injuries, limiting him to 12 career starts. He was placed on injured reserve in 2009 and 2010, but caught a career-high 57 passes for 664 yards and four touchdowns in 2009.

The Patriots signed former Colts center-guard Jamey Richard, who tried out for the team last week, undrafted rookie tight end Nick Melillo and seventh-round cornerback Alfonzo Dennard.

Richard, 27, is a former Colts seventh-round draft pick who has started 11 career games in the NFL.

Melillo, 23, went undrafted out of Kentucky where he caught 23 passes for 240 yards with one touchdown.

Dennard plummeted in the draft after allegedly punching a cop the week before the Patriots picked him.

He was named Big Ten Conference Defensive Back of the Year and first-team all-conference last year.

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