Offensive lineman Russ Hochstein's seven-year career with the Patriots came to an end Tuesday.
New England sent the 6-foot-4, 305-pounder to Denver in exchange for an undisclosed draft choice. Hochstein, a 2001 sixth round draft choice by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, has played in 90 games for the Pats while making 20 starts, including nine at guard, eight at center, two at fullback and one at tight end.
The Patriots also announced the signing of linebacker Tyrone McKenzie and the release of safety Tank Williams. McKenzie was drafted by the Patriots in the third round this spring out of South Florida. The 6-foot-2, 240-pounder spent the 2005 freshman year at Michigan State before transferring to Iowa State in 2006. After one year with the Cyclones, he transferred to South Florida where he played two seasons. In his four-year collegiate career, McKenzie started in 36 of the 49 games he appeared in. McKenzie tore his ACL during rookie camp this year and will miss the season.
Williams, a seven-year NFL veteran of the Titans, Vikings and Patriots, missed the entire 2008 season with New England after injuring his knee in the preseason opener. The 6-foot-2, 233-pound safety has started 59 games in his career, making 303 total tackles and five interceptions. He signed on with the Pats as a free agent in 2008 and was a second-round draft pick out of Stanford by the Titans in 2002.
