Jermaine Cunningham cut loose in New England

The Patriots parted ways with a former second-round draft pick on Saturday.

New England released Jermaine Cunningham, who never lived up to his second-round billing after being taken in the 2010 NFL draft.

Cunningham finished the 2012 season with just 24 total tackles and 2.5 sacks. However, it was clear he didn't fit the mold to what the Patriots were looking for on defense.

The Patriots, once regarded as possessing one of the better defenses in the NFL, has struggled in recent years. After winning three Super Bowls in four years in the early 2000s, the Patriots have seemingly been rebuilding the defense each season in recent years.

Being forced to cut Cunningham is just another example of this.

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Aaron Wilson covers the Ravens for The Baltimore Sun.

Aaron Wilson
Aaron Wilson covers the NFL for National Football Post, his second stint at the Post. He has previously written for Pro Football Talk and FOX Sports-Scout. Entering his 13th year covering the Baltimore Ravens, he's a beat writer for The Baltimore Sun. Wilson has also covered the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans.

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