It's tough to see Gaffney and Stallworth go, but the moves make sense

I was pulling for Jabar Gaffney and Donte' Stallworth to make the 2012 New England Patriots.

In Gaffney's first stint in New England, the wide receiver played extremely well and came up big in playoff games. He made a clutch catch at the end of the Patriots' 27-24 regular season win at Baltimore in 2007. If not for a drop at Indianapolis the next season that cost the Pats the game and a playoff spot in the process, I think Gaffney may have never left New England in the first place. I was happy to hear he was coming back this offseason, but with his release yesterday, it wasn't meant to be.

The same goes for Stallworth, who played a lone season with the Patriots. His stop here was one of many in his career. His story is well-known. In 2008, he plead guilty to DUI manslaughter charges and suffered both the legal and NFL disciplinary consequences. A Boston Globe story highlighted Stallworth's life following the mistake that changed his life, and after reading it, one couldn't help but root for him to make the team. New England was where he wanted to be, and just like he got a second chance in life and the NFL, he was getting one here.

But it's not 2007, it's 2012. These two roster moves illustrate the type of offense the Patriots have become. The Patriots entered the summer with a big group of wide receivers. Many of them have since been cut.

It's no coincidence that Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez have both received contract extensions, while Wes Welker has not. The offense has been about the tight ends the last two seasons, will be once again this year and beyond. With Hernandez's extension (and donation) official, it's looking more likely that this will be Welker's swan song.

After taking a step back and evaluating it all, it's clear the direction the Patriots are headed. It's also clear these moves make sense. When you have, and are handsomely paying, the best young tight ends in the game, they need to be fully utilized, especially when one of them can play the receiver position and come out of the backfield.

Perhaps due to Randy Moss memories, Tom Brady may be thought of by some as a guy who prefers to air it out down the field. But we here in New England know that Brady started his career by throwing screen passes and tossing the ball over the middle to Jermaine Wiggins, Daniel Graham and Christian Fauria. Sure the receivers were involved too, but the Troy Browns, David Givens and David Pattens of the world weren't known for catching long passes down the sidelines.

The tight end-happy offense is a must for the Pats. It would've been nice to see Stallworth and Gaffney with the team for Week 1.

But in this type of offense, it's not easy making the cut.