As is typically the case with Bill Belichick, the cut down to 53 on Saturday did not necessarily mean the end of the Patriots moves. In addition to dealing Ryan Mallett to Houston, New England claimed two defensive linemen off waivers this afternoon.
Former Giant Kelcy Quarles (6-4, 294) and former Cardinal Bruce Gaston (6-2, 310) were picked up off waivers while linebacker Chris Whiter was released, leaving the Patriots roster at 53.
Quarles is an undrafted rookie out of South Carolina who performed well for the Giants this summer. Reports out of New York indicated Quarles got caught in a numbers game trying to make the roster among a deep and talented defensive line crop for Tom Coughlin's Giants.
Gaston is also an undrafted free agent who spent the summer in Arizona after a four-year career at Purdue. He started 44 games for the Boilermakers and recorded 131 tackles and seven sacks.
