Report: Patriots Cut Deion Branch, Brian Hoyer, Dan Koppen

by John Beattie on Fri, Aug 31, 2012 at 1:52PM

The Dan Koppen era in New England has reportedly come to a close.

According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the team's longtime center has been cut. Also reportedly receiving pink slips on Friday were backup quarterback Brian Hoyer (according to Adam Caplan) and wide receiver Deion Branch (according to Adam Schefter).

Koppen was a Pats fifth-round pick out of Boston College in 2003 and earned a nod to the Pro Bowl in 2007. The center fractured his ankle in Week 1 of the 2011 season and was placed on the IR on Sept. 21.

Branch, 33, played for the Pats from 2002-05 and again from 2011-12. The team's second-round pick in 2002 out of Louisville was named Super Bowl XXXIX MVP.

Michigan State alum Brian Hoyer joined the Pats as an undrafted free agent in 2009. In 13 career games, Hoyer is 27-for-43 for 286 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

Remember what I said about C Dan Koppen not being cut yet because they are trying to trade him? Well, source says he's been cut.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 31, 2012