Patriots Shocked by Milloy’s Release

The New England Patriots released Pro Bowl safety and team captain Lawyer Milloy on Tuesday, less than a week before his stunned former teammates will open the season.

“Has it ever been this quiet in here? I don’t think it has,” linebacker Tedy Bruschi said. “I think ‘shocked’ is the word.... You sort of just shake your head and ask yourself, ‘Why?’ ”

Milloy, 29, led the team in tackles in 2001, when New England won the Super Bowl. But last year, he had no sacks, no forced fumbles and no interceptions, and 91 tackles was his lowest total since he became a full-time starter. Plus, he was due to cost the Patriots at least $5.25 million against the salary cap this year; the two sides had been trying to renegotiate his deal since April without success.

“Today is a day that nobody is happy about. This isn’t the way we wanted this story to end,” Coach Bill Belichick said. “This is the hardest player that I have had to release. It was the hardest situation that I’ve had to go through like this, here or anywhere else.”

Milloy’s agent, Carl Poston, told KRIV-TV in Houston that the player asked to be released rather than take a pay cut.

“We’re not shocked by it,” Poston said.

The Buffalo Bills, Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints reportedly expressed interest in Milloy. Poston said he would like to have Milloy with a new team today.

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Detroit Lion running back James Stewart will sit out the season after separating his right shoulder in the final exhibition game.

Stewart was put on injured reserve by Detroit, which acquired Olandis Gary over the weekend to replace him.

“The best thing for James and for the team is to put him on IR,” Lion President Matt Millen said. “Looking at the injury, he is going to require surgery at some point in time. We have been told there is an 85% chance the thing would come out again.”

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The Pittsburgh Steelers have only a vague idea when All-Pro linebacker Joey Porter will return after being shot last weekend in Denver. It could be as little as two weeks or as long as half the season.

“More tests are being taken, but there have been no setbacks to this point,” Steeler Coach Bill Cowher said. “[What happens] over the next couple of days will have a lot to do with his status.”

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Holdout tackle Walter Jones reported to the Seattle Seahawks, filling a critical need leading up to the team’s season opener against New Orleans.

Jones, the team’s franchise player, signed a one-year deal worth $5.9 million. He has been seeking a long-term deal, but Seattle’s front office has said no contract will be negotiated until after this season.