It is with great sadness that I report Shawn “Crazy Legs” Crable has been released. Again. While I adopted Crazy Legs as my personal boo this season I have to be honest, I haven’t really been all that impressed with him.

He’s gotten some significant playing time the last few weeks, and the Steelers game was by far the most snaps he’s seen. But he didn’t really look like he was making much of an impact, despite recording his first half sack. I was willing to give him more time to develop but it looks like Coach BB wasn’t.

Now Crable could still be back on the practice squad. Or the Pats may have released him so they could re-sign him to another long term deal (probably a long shot if even possible), but the major question, assuming Crable is gone for good, is who becomes the DPR on the left side of the nickel packages?

It seems as though the Pats were keeping Jermaine Cunningham a little fresher for run downs after he had some DPR duty earlier in the season. He’s the number one candidate. Or a combo of him and Rob Ninkovich depending on who’s fresher. Tully Banta-Cain is already manning the right side of the pass rush formation.

There isn’t another linebacker on the roster who can really step into the spot, not even on the practice squad. So the move is an interesting one.

There’s definitely going to be some changes to the pass rush package. Assuming Crable’s gone, which I can’t entirely do right now. It’s too soon.

Mike D’s late addition: Good point by Pats guru @DanteSterling, perhaps we could be getting more Dane Fletcher. To be honest I’ve been more excited by Fletcher’s play than Crable this year, granted they’ve been performing different roles. But Fletcher was a sackmaster in college. I hope we’re going to see more of him, even if… dare I say… gasp… it’s at Crable’s expense…