Bill Belichick Says It Was a ‘Tough’ Decision to Release James Sanders

This is the most difficult week of the year for a lot of head coaches, who are each responsible for sending a few dozen players to the unemployment line.

The week got off to a tough start for Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, who released six-year veteran James Sanders on Monday. Sanders was one of the team's 11 cuts.

"Tough release there with James Sanders," Belichick said. "James has been a good guy to have on this team. A hard-working kid, he really has developed from the time he came to us as a draft choice from Fresno [State], and he's been a really solid team player for us. But we just, part of the move, needed to release people, but he was a tough one."

Belichick was asked if the decision to release Sanders had anything to do with his hamstring, which kept the safety out of 15 practices in the last month.

"We just did what we felt was best for the football team at this time," Belichick replied. "That's the best way I can answer it. Not a lot of negatives with James, but we have to select the players that we feel like are best for our team."