Patriots offensive lineman Nick Kaczur. Photo by David Silverman.
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The New England Patriots waived rookie offensive lineman Lav Bauta today. Additionally, the team removed offensive tackle Nick Kaczur from the PUP list.
Bauta, 24, was previously signed by the Patriots on July 22 and released on July 24 before being re-signed on July 26. He was a three-year letterman for Duke before transferring to Villanova for his final collegiate season in 2006. As a senior with Villanova in 2006, Bauta started 10 games at right tackle. In 2005, Bauta started all 11 games at tackle for Duke while also being named to the ACC All-Academic Team.
Kaczur, 29, has played in 40 games with 35 starts for the Patriots since being selected in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft (100th overall). The 6-foot-4-inch, 315-pound lineman started all 15 games in which he played for the Patriots last season as the offensive line allowed just 21 sacks -- the fewest for the franchise in 30 years -- and paved the way for New England to average 4.10 yards per carry -- the team's highest total since 1985.
