Patriots released TE Daniel Fells. Fells was going into the second season of a three-year, $5.25 million deal. The move clears $1.25 million in cap space. Reading the tea leaves rarely gets you far with the Patriots, but the move suggests they're optimistic about Rob Gronkowski's health, and that Jake Ballard has earned a roster spot. Four weeks shy of his 30th birthday, Fells has just 23 catches since the end of the 2010 season.