Eric Kettani, left, and Tyree Barnes graduated from the Naval Academy in 2008. (AP photos)
A little late on this (what else is new?), but yesterday the New England Patriots released wide receiver Tyree Barnes and running back Eric Kettani. Both players are 2008 graduates of the Naval Academy who left active duty earlier this summer for the chance to tryout for the Pats.
Neither player accumulated statistics in the Patriots’ first three preseason games.
It’s not clear yet what’s next for each sailor Barnes. Per DoD policy, an officer may serve two years on active duty before being allowed to switch to the reserve and try out for a pro league. Caleb Campbell and Chad Hall, who made the rosters of the Lions and the Eagles last season, respectively, were the most recent players to successfully transition to the NFL through this policy. Both Campbell and Hall survived the first round of cuts this week.
“If other opportunities arise [in the NFL], I’ll be quick to jump on those, or whether it’s me going back and serving my time [in the Navy], I’ll do that as well,” Barnes told NESN on Tuesday. “Right now, I don’t really know where I’ll be heading or what I’ll have to do or be asked to do. I just know whatever comes up, I’ll be ready to jump in it.”
In case you missed it last week, Ron Borges of the Boston Herald wrote a great piece about Barnes’ time in the Navy, which included chasing down Somali pirates aboard the destroyer Gonzalez.
THURSDAY UPDATE: Kettani was not cut by the Patriots, as I had initally blogged here. According to a report from NESN, Kettani has not practiced since July 29 due to a calf injury, but is still on the New England roster as of today. I apologize for relaying inaccurate information.
