Patriots released S Brandon McGowan. He lasted just over a week. McGowan was once a shutdown force in tight end coverage and productive special teams player, but he seems to have lost something off his fastball. Pat Chung will be the starting strong safety this year.

The Patriots are reportedly planning to release SS Brandon McGowan. This news comes on the same day free agent Dashon Goldson is visiting New England, though it's not clear if it's more than coincidental. McGowan was just signed a week ago. The Pats obviously didn't like what they saw early in camp.

Patriots re-signed SS Brandon McGowan. McGowan started 11 games in 2009, but missed all of 2010 with a torn pectoral muscle. The Boston Herald's Ian Rapoport believes he'll be limited to special-teams duty this season.